Yellow Yeti ADV

Motorcycle Touring Destinations, Tours, Rentals & More

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Website Terms of Use
  • Yellow Yeti Travel
  • 0 Items
MENUMENU
  • Tours & Services
    • Guided Motorcycle Tours
      • Costa Rica
      • Eastern Europe
      • Europe
        • Iceland
        • UK
      • South America
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Self-Guided Motorcycle Tours
      • Costa Rica
      • Europe
        • Iceland
        • UK
      • Eastern Europe
      • South America
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Motorcycle Rentals
      • Ecuador
      • Iceland
      • Thailand
      • Mongolia
      • Scotland
      • UK
    • Rider Training
    • Motorcycle Shipping & Transport
    • Workshops & Parts
  • Routes & Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Ethiopia
      • Kenya
      • Lesotho
      • Morocco
      • Namibia
      • South Africa
    • Asia
      • Central Asia
        • Georgia
        • Kazakhstan
        • Mongolia
        • Tajikistan
      • Southeast Asia
        • Thailand
        • Vietnam
      • India
      • Mongolia
      • Nepal
      • Pakistan
      • Turkey
    • Australasia
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
    • Western Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Scotland
      • UK
    • Eastern Europe
      • Bosnia & Herzegovina
      • Bulgaria
      • Czech Republic
      • Hungary
      • Kosovo
      • Romania
    • Central America
      • Costa Rica
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • French Guiana
      • Guyana
    • North America
      • Canada
      • USA
    • Popular Routes
      • Adriatic Highway - Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro
      • Continental Divide Motorcycle Route - USA
      • North Coast 500 - Scotland
      • Ring Road - Iceland
      • Route 40 - Argentina
      • Route des Grandes Alpes (Great Alpine Road) - France
      • Simpson Desert - Australia
      • Trans Canada Adventure Trail - Canada
      • Transfagarasan Highway - Romania
  • Advice & Inspiration
    • Latest Articles / Blog
    • Adventure Bike Reviews
      • BMW F650GS
      • BMW F800GS
      • BMW R1200GS Adventure
      • Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
      • Kawasaki KLR650
      • KTM 640 Adventure
      • KTM 1190 Adventure R
      • Suzuki DL650 V-Strom
      • Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom
      • Suzuki DR650SE
      • Triumph Tiger 800XCx
      • Buying a motorcycle in Southeast Asia
    • Adventure Motorcycle Touring Guide
    • Gear & Equipment
      • Motorcycle GPS Units
      • Choosing a Tent
      • Flying with Motorcycle Gear
      • Emergency Transmitters
    • Trip Planning and Preparation
      • Open Source GPS Maps
      • GT Rider Maps for Southeast Asia
    • Shipping & Transport
    • Motorcycle Insurance for Overlanders
    • Travel Insurance

Petersville Road

Alaska, North America, USA
Routes & Destinations
North AmericaUSAAlaska
0 Reviews
Add Photos

Video

Description

Riding the Petersville Road in Alaska takes you on a bumpy ride through gold mine country. Formerly an old wagon road, the trail runs from Trapper Creek, 34 miles or so to the historic mining town of Petersville and beyond. It’s a popular route for ATVs, snowmobiles, cyclists 4×4’s and of course, motorbikes. Spending most of the year covered by snow, the road can be a little hard going, but it’s well worth the effort. The road offers spectacular views of mountains, creeks, gorges and rivers. North America’s tallest mountain, the immense Denali, or Mount McKinley, looms ever ahead on the journey north.

Planning your ride on the Petersville Road

The Petersville Road is accessed from the Parks Highway. Travel to Trappers Creek at mile 114.9, fill up and enjoy the ride.

The first 10 miles or so of the road are paved, though the quality is fairly poor in comparison to the highway. After that the road turns to gravel all the way up to Petersville and beyond. The going is hard, but not impossible for most dual bikes, however road bikes would struggle. It’s relatively flat, with a few elevations.

You’re unlikely to come across an awful lot of traffic along the way, though you may run into the occasional camper or ATV, especially at weekends and during holidays.

Fuel can be found at Trappers Creek and will easily keep you going until you return.

Accommodation

There are plenty of places to make camp along the Petersville Road, with some fantastic views to wake up to. Alternatively, accommodation can be sought in Trappers Creek, where inns and b&bs can be found. There are lodges and cabins that can be booked along the route, but these should be booked in advance.

Food

Since this is a relatively short ride, food shouldn’t be a huge concern. It’s worth packing some lunch to have on the road to make the most of the scenery. Otherwise, reward your efforts with a meal in Trappers creek.

Weather considerations

The Petersville Road is inaccessible for the vast majority of the year for all but snowmobiles. The best time to ride Petersville Road is July or August, when winter snows have fully melted. June and September are not out of the question, but it depends on the weather conditions that year.

Sights

While the road itself, paired with the fantastic views of Denali, lure most riders to the road, there are a few other things to visit along the way. In Petersville you can try your hand at panning for gold at the Petersville State Recreational Mining Area. Climb the Peters Hills for spectacular views over the canyons and out into the distance. Trapper Creek Spruce Lane Farms Museum and Gifts is an interesting museum in a log cabin where you can discover more about the history of the area and gold mining in general. Enjoy the waterfalls as you ride the narrow road through the Peters Creek Canyon. Finally, you can even visit some of the gold mines, with some offering tours, though it is best to call to arrange these in advance.

Header Photo: Lynda Cazort CC/BY

Petersville Road - Alaska - Tundra
Petersville Road – Alaska – Tundra | Photo: Tony I CC/BY

 

Alaska, North America, USA

Email Signup

Subscribe to our emails for inspiration and advice for your next ride.

Looking for your next adventure?

Check out Yellow Yeti Travel for a great range of ADV, guided and self-guided motorcycle tours around the world. We also have a range of rental motorcycles throughout the world that you can check out directly on this site.

Need motorcycle touring travel insurance?

Insurance is a minefield and while we can't specifically recommend companies, we look at some options here.

advmototravel

Rothmans Porche from the #dakarclassic class rolling into the Ha’il bivouac at the #dakar2023.
No luck on a chopper, but a nice view above the Ha’il bivouac at the #dakar2023 after the previous day’s flash flooding on the stage. #dakar #dakarinsaudi
Get to the chopper! Trying to hitch a ride (unsuccessfully) on one of the #dakarrally2023 choppers. Still have time …. #dakarinsaudi #dakar #advrider
As the sun sets on another day of the #dakar2023, @mariopatrao_oficial, in the #originalbymotul class has some work to do before the rally move on to Riyadh. #dakarrally #dakarinsaudi
Navigation is a huge part of the #dakarrally. This is the tower on #39 @benjimelot in the #originalbymotul. #dakarinsaudi
The #dakarrally is a constant hive of activity. #dakar2023 #dakarinsaudi
Much respect for the #originalmotul class riders in the #dakar2023. Each night they service their own bikes while the others rest.
Very jealous of anyone at the Dust 2 Dawson at the moment. Managed to get there a few years ago and had a great time.
Caherdaniel Viewpoint off the Ring of Kerry route in Ireland. 📷 by Tony Webster on Flickr

Follow on Instagram

YELLOW YETI TRAVEL

Yellow Yeti ADV is brought to you by Yellow Yeti Travel. If you are looking for self-guided motorcycle tours or help with your next trip, check out the site and get in touch.

Email Signup

Subscribe to our emails for inspiration and advice for your next ride.

Popular Guides & Articles

Adventure Motorcycle Touring Guide, Best Motorcycle GPS, Best Emergency Transmitters, Tents for Adventure Motorcycle Camping, Travel Insurance for Motorcycle Touring, Motorcycle Insurance for Overlanders

POPULAR DESTINATIONS

Adventure Motorcycle Touring Guide, Iceland, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Norway, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Turkey, Africa, Europe, Eastern Europe, Romania, UK, Scotland, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, USA, Morocco, Georgia (Country),

POPULAR ROUTES

Darien Gap, Simpson Desert, Ruta 40, North Coast 500, Trans Canada Adventure Trail (TCAT), Great Continental Divide Motorcycle Route, Dalton Highway
Copyright Yellow Yeti ADV © 2023. All Rights Reserved

Login

Lost your password?

Sign up for Yellow Yeti ADV

Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy.