Interior Community: Tok
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Tok is the only town in Alaska that the highway traveler must pass through twice - once when arriving in Alaska and once on leaving. Located 125 miles from the Canadian border, it is the first point of contact for visitors driving to Alaska.
Tok provides a wonderful visitor center offering trip planning help and complete travel information on the Alaska Highway, travel in and around the state, statewide brochures to most destinations and attractions, displays for communities around Alaska as well as local information on private campgrounds, RV parks, hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, things to do and see in the area, art exhibits and educational films. The Alaska Public Lands Information center also houses an office in Tok and offers information on state and national parks and campgrounds as well as the Alaska Marine Highway System.
From its beginnings as a construction camp during the building of the Alcan Highway in 1942, Tok has grown into the primary trade and service center for the area. From Tok, you can drive 254 miles via the Tok Cutoff to Valdez and Prince William Sound, 328 miles via the Tok Cutoff and Glenn Highway to Anchorage or continue on the Alaska Highway 206 miles to Fairbanks. The Taylor Highway heads north out of Tok to Chicken, Eagle and access to Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve.
Tok boasts the title of "Sled Dog Capital of Alaska," because so many of its residents are involved in some way with dogs and dog mushing. Sled dog racing demonstrations are a summer staple. Winter races run between late-November through the end of March. Visitors can also sample gold panning, Tanana River boat tours and fishing. There are 43 lakes in the Delta-Tok area and most are close to the road system. Tok also serves as a trade center for the Athabascan Native villages in the area and visitors can find birch baskets, beaded moccasins and other authentic Native crafts and art in and around town.
Details
Photo By: Clark Mishler
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Visitors may try their hand at dog mushing in winter and summer
Population: 1,459 (4,000 including surrounding area.)
Location: Tok is located at the junction of the Alaska Highway and the Tok Cutoff to the Glenn Highway, 125 miles from the Canadian border.
Access: Primary highway with daily commuter air service from Fairbanks.
Accommodations: Seven motels/hotels, five bed & breakfasts, nine RV parks; ten restaurants. Accommodations/Winter: 200 rooms in motels/hotels; four restaurants.