Book now, play later

Each summer, tourists come to Alaska seeking a sense of adventure, wanting to visit the Last Frontier. It's also a good time for residents to "vacation" in the state in which they live -- but your own Alaska vacation should already be in the planning stages.

It may only be February, with Iditarod a month away and spring a few turns of the calendar in the future, but now is the time to start thinking about making reservations for that traditional family vacation, whether it be an annual stay in Denali National Park and Preserve or perhaps a favorite Kenai Fjords tour.

When tourists come to Alaska, they plan their trips months in advance -- sometimes years in advance -- and subsequently, book many of the leading tours and attractions well in advance of residents who enjoy visiting their own state during the summer. As a result, you may be surprised when you favorite fishing charter can't get you out in search of king salmon or halibut -- when you call in mid-February to book a trip.

Take, for example, fishing charters. Steve Button, a Palmer resident who guides for halibut out of Homer, was encouraging people to book early so prime dates could be had for the upcoming summer. Of course, he said that last October, giving you an idea of how far in advance to book a halibut trip.

For those looking for a fishing trip, good bargains can be had by booking in advance. Also, many local guides offer deals at the Great Alaska Sportsman Show, held the first weekend in April every year.

But guides aren't the only businesses that depend on tourists as the backbone of their economic year. Even simple things like campgrounds can be frustrating to book for residents trying to get out at the spur of the moment.

Denali National Park and Preserve is one of the most visited areas of Alaska, with a large majority of those visitors passing through in the summer months. Should you want to stop and stay a night at Riley Creek Campground, for example, you probably should have reservations, because there are rarely sites available on a drive-up basis.

The good news is that it isn't too late for those wanting to make Denali National Park and Preserve a destination this winter. Reservations were being accepted for all park activities, including shuttle buses and campground reservations, starting last Dec. 1, on a mail and fax-only basis. Telephone reservations begin Feb. 15.

To make reservations there, call 1-800-622-7275 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. All reservations -- for all Denali National Park and Preserve shuttle buses and DNPP campgrounds -- can be made through the one phone number.

If you want to take the family out to a public-use cabin, it's a wise idea to book now. You can rent them six months in advance, and reservations are already filling up for the summer months.

You can visit the Alaska State Parks Web site at www.dnr.state.ak.us for more information on the statewide public-use cabin program.

Other trips and tours that you may want to consider making reservations for include flightseeing trips, day cruises and the Alaska Railroad.