shuttle buses Review

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shuttle buses

  • Phone: 800/622-7275; 907/272-7275

Fodor's Review:

The park's shuttle buses don't include a formal interpretive program or food and drink. They're less expensive, and, it's important to note, you can get off the bus and take a hike or just stop and sightsee, and catch another bus along the road. Most of the drivers are well versed in the park's features and will point out plant, animal, and geologic sights as the bus progresses through the park. The shuttles are much more free-form than the tour buses, with all of the passengers enlisted to help watch for wildlife and to call out when animals are spotted. The shuttles will stop to watch wildlife, but there is a schedule to keep, so stopping time is somewhat limited. But if a bear, a wolf, or another large animal is observed, the drivers give passengers plenty of time to watch and take photos. Shuttle bus round-trip fares are $19.50 to the Toklat River stop at Mile 53; $25 to Fish Creek at Mile 63; and $34.50 to Wonder Lake at Mile 85.

If you decide to get off the shuttle bus and head across the tundra, just tell the driver ahead of time where you'd like to get out. Some areas are closed to all hiking, so before you decide where to go, check with the rangers at the visitor center. Some areas are closed permanently, such as the Sable Pass area, which is heavily traveled by bears, including sows with cubs; others close as conditions warrant. There may be a sensitive den site that's vulnerable to disturbance, or a kill site (an area where bears or wolves are feeding off a carcass) that's off-limits for safety reasons.

When it's time to catch a ride back to your point of origin, just stand next to the road and wait; it's seldom more than 15 minutes or so between buses, and if there's room on board, the driver will stop. However, during the mid- and late-summer peak season, an hour or more may pass as you wait, because many buses are full. If your party is large and the park is especially busy, you may have to split up into smaller groups or singles to catch a lift.

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