Have 7 days to go to Alaska in July. I figure 2 are travel days. Can I do Denali and Kenai Pen. without being rushed in that time? We'll be spending 1 day doing ATV trip near Girdwood. Would like to fish, enjoy the various marine life, definitely do Homer for a couple nights and see Denali. Any help on an itinerary would be appreciated as well as suggestions as to where to stay.

With only 4 days left, I think you are going to have to pick Denali or Kenai.

From Anchorage, it takes 5 hours to get to Denali. It's then 8 hours on the bus tour and 5 hours back to Anchorage.

It's another 2 -3 hours down to Seward and even more to Homer.

Sounds like you would enjoy the Kenai better. If you do a search here you'll find many agree.

as connie said, it sounds like the KP is more what you're looking for.

I'd split it between Seward and Homer.

As for fishing, it depends what's running in the part of July you visit. Halibut in Homer are always available. Seward has a fantastic silver salmon fishery. Charter for both. There's also decent halibut fishing out of Seward. Also catch the long Kenai Fjords trip.

If you're a self-sufficient angler, the Russian River sockeye runs -- if you hit them rigght -- can be excellent, but you've got to avoid the ``combat fishing'' areas near where the Kenai and Russian meet.

One trip that is overlooked but marvelous is the Upper Kenai Canyon trips in drift boats or rafts, Great scenery and rainbows/dollie vardens.

As usual, I also recommend the Alyeska tram (on clear days) and the Double Musky in Girdwood, plus the Exit Glacier stop and Ray's in Seward.

We have only gone as far north as the Talkeetna area. It's a long drive and it's exciting to see Denali in the distance but the drive is pretty ordinary. The drive south from Anchorage, however, has spectacular scenery. Seward to Homer is a 3-4 hour drive, I think. Before you get to Kenai/Soldotna you would pass the combat fishing area. When we visited in late July there were silvers running up Bird Creek which is between Anchorage and Seward. The drive from Soldotna to Homer is pretty ordinary but Homer is a great place. There's a look out area which wonderful views overlooking the Spit. Seward and Homer were different from each other but both were my favorite places. You can take a 1/2 flight over a glacier. Both times we've seen bears, it's been in Girdwood. Well, I actually didn't see the bear this year, just the bushes moving when someone hollered "bear". It was about 20 feet from me and lots of other people attending the Forest Fair. The Kenai/Soldnotna area is flat with lots of marshes. You have a good chance of seeing a moose. I also would recommend the tram ride up Mt Alyeska. You can pretty much count on wanting to make multiple stops on your way south from Anchorage. 7 days is not enough for both Denali and the Kenai Peninsula.

I agree with only 7 days- you do not have enough time for both areas. Best would be to consider several days in both Seward and Homer, enjoying the many activites available there. It is vitally important to NOT underestimate time and distance necessary in Alaska travel. Spend at least a day seeing Anchorage- a great city with plenty to offer. Request each city's visitor guide loaded with information.

Thanks to all who took time to give me your personal insights. We decided after your input to do Anchorage,Seward and Homer with stops along the way.