Prudhoe Bay Oil Installation Tour

[Honesy]

I am currently on a RTW trip (currently heading north in Panama) and really wanted to dip my toe in the Artic when I get to Alaska this summer. I was interested to read in this regional forum a comment about the Oil Installation tour at Prudhoe Bay, which apparently is the only way to be able to do this?

Any details would be gratefully received,

Cheers,

Honesy.

[BackroadExplorer]

I took the tour last June. It is the only way to get right to the Arctic Ocean. It was quite interesting though.

You must call and book at least 24 hours in advance for security checks.

I took the tour through the Arctic Caribou Inn - www.artciccaribouinn.com their toll free number is 1-877-659-2368. I would suggest calling from Fairbanks before heading up the haul road.

Also, when I was in Deadhorse in June there there was a ban on camping due to bear activity. I don't know if this is permanent or just a temporary ban at the time.

I stayed at the Prudhoe Bay Hotel Prudhoe Bay Hotel It is a camp style building but comfortable. It was a litle pricey as I recall (perhaps $120.00 US/night ?) but this did include dinner, breakfast and a take-out lunch the next morning. Excellent food.

On the way up you can get a very good meal at Coldfoot but the camp/hotel there is very pricey. I stayed at the Boreal Lodge Boreal Lodging in Wiseman a few miles north of Coldfoot. Very reasonable. No food available in Wiseman so eat at Coldfoot first.

Hope this helps.

[Honesy]

for the great info and detailed reply Bill.

Cheers,

Honesy

[Bill Ryder]

If you want to get wet in the arctic ocean you can also fly a little ways north from Inuvik at the end of the dempstser highway. Camping in Inuvik for a couple of days would be cheaper than an overnight in prudoe and you could use the money saved for the flight. Hey it's all good but there is just something about stumbling out of a bar at closing time in Inuvik and having it be broad daylight outside.

[Honesy]

Thanks for all the tips Bill. I will definitely look at the Inuvik option too. I have to get some maps for North America yet, but was holding out until I reached the AAA, as I heard you could get good maps for free from them - is this true, or would you recommend others for better detail?

Cheers,

Honesy.

[nugentch]

Originally Posted by Honesy

Thanks for all the tips Bill. I will definitely look at the Inuvik option too. I have to get some maps for North America yet, but was holding out until I reached the AAA, as I heard you could get good maps for free from them - is this true, or would you recommend others for better detail?

Cheers,

Honesy.

The maps are free if you are a member (or know one! ).