Alaska Hotels |
Camping
Prince William
Sound is one of the most beautiful bodies of water on
earth. The 1989 oil spill, which made this area notorious
around the world has had little effect on the visible
environment. The sound continues to be a beautiful,
supremely-scenic, area.
Valdez is the place to base a visit to
magnificent Prince William Sound. Cordova
is a scenic ferry ride from Valdez. The area is home to
thousands of sea otters, bald eagles, sea lions, and
killer whales.
Named for Spanish naval captain Antonio Valdes, Valdez
(pronounced val-deez) was founded by a few prospectors
looking for an easier way to reach the Klondike gold
fields. The Valdez Glacier proved an insurmountable
barrier. Copper was discovered in the Wrangell mountains
in the early 1900s and the town revived. The earthquake
of 1964 devastated Valdez with tidal waves, and the
government ordered the town moved four miles away from
the original townsite.
Modern Valdez lives on the oil boom that resulted in
the building of the Trans-Alaska pipeline, bringing oil
from the north slope oil fields to the terminal in
Valdez. Fishing is important to the economy as well. The
oil terminal houses 18 large storage tanks which hold the
oil until it can be pumped into tanker ships. A guided
tour of the terminal leaves from the Westmark Hotel
(835-2357).
Valdez Heritage Center, a museum, concentrates
on the 1964 earthquake and the impact of the pipeline.
Displays show early Native history and maps from the
Russian period. Two spectacular waterfalls, Bridal Veil
and Horse Tail, are found 13 miles (21 km) up the
Richardson Highway. Mineral Creek Road provides a
scenic drive with alpine views.
The gem of Prince William Sound is the Columbia
Glacier, which once filled the entire sound. Now
covering about 440 square miles (1,139 sq. km), the
glacier rises to 300 feet above the water. Many take the
ferry from Valdez to Whittier to view the glacier from a
distance of two miles. Several cruises are available for
a close-up look at the gigantic piece of ice, which
plunges 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) below the surface of
the sea. Walk around the small boat harbor to investigate
tour times and prices.
Valdez Camping
Bear Paw RV Park
P.O. Box 93, Valdez AK 99686
(907) 835-2530
The RV facility is right on the small boat harbor, in
downtown Valdez. Facilities include full and partial
hookups, level sites, restrooms, showers, laundry, and
dump station. The park is the ticket agent for Stan
Stephens Cruises which offers Columbia Glacier cruises
and fishing charters.
Eagle's Rest RV Park
630 East Pioneer Drive, Valdez AK 99686
(907) 835-2373 or 800-553-7275
With all the facilities a traveler to Alaska could want,
this RV park features sites with full hookups, and also
tent sites, with overnight rates ranging from $15 to $22.
Other facilities include showers; gas, diesel, and
propane; laundry; dump station; e-mail facility; fishing
licenses; fish cleaning table; a walk-in freezer, and a
golf driving range. The RV park arranges tour bookings
for all major attractions in the area.
Where to Stay
