Major city · United States
Willow Creek
Skip as a destination: Willow Creek is a highway stop with no services for travellers. Pass through on the Richardson Highway between Glennallen and Valdez.
Willow Creek is a tiny unincorporated village on the Richardson Highway, about midway between Copper Center and Tonsina. With a population under 200 and no shops, gas stations, or lodging, it functions as a road sign rather than a stop. Most travellers drive through without slowing down.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Nov–Mar (heavy snow, road closures possible)
- Airports
- ANC · VDZ
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Willow Creek911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Willow Creek, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyRemote area with no services; carry extra water, food, and a full tank of gas.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (About 3 h drive north on the Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway; nearest major airport).
- Getting aroundNo public transport; you need your own vehicle.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (About 3 h drive north on the Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway; nearest major airport) · VDZ Valdez Pioneer Field (About 1 h 15 min drive south; limited scheduled flights)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Feb
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Mar
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
May
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Oct
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Nov
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Dec
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Aug (13 rain days), driest Mar (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Willow Creek: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
8 rd
Feb
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
7 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
6 rd
Apr
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
6 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Sep
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Oct
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Nov
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
8 rd
Dec
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public transport; you need your own vehicle. The Richardson Highway is paved but can be rough in winter.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Glennallen
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive north on the Richardson Highway, about 30 km (19 mi)Drive north on the Richardson Highway, about 19 mi (30 km)
Nearest services: fuel, food, lodging, hardware store.
Valdez
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive south on the Richardson Highway, about 100 km (62 mi)Drive south on the Richardson Highway, about 62 mi (100 km)
Full-service town with ferry terminal, boat tours, restaurants and hotels.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
goDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min to McCarthy
Drive south on the Richardson Highway to the McCarthy Road turn-off (about 40 km (25 mi)), then 95 km (59 mi) gravel road to McCarthyDrive south on the Richardson Highway to the McCarthy Road turn-off (about 25 mi (40 km)), then 59 mi (95 km) gravel road to McCarthy
The park entrance is at the end of the McCarthy Road; no services beyond Glennallen.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Glennallen
About 30 km (19 mi) north on the Richardson Highway; the nearest town with motels, lodges and gas.About 19 mi (30 km) north on the Richardson Highway; the nearest town with motels, lodges and gas.
Valdez
About 100 km (62 mi) south; full-service town with hotels, B&Bs and campgrounds.About 62 mi (100 km) south; full-service town with hotels, B&Bs and campgrounds.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 (includes fuel and food, no lodging; sleep in Glennallen or Valdez)
- Mid
- $150–250 (motel in Glennallen or Valdez, meals, fuel)
- High
- $300+ (lodging and dining in Valdez, rental car)
Watch out
Safety
- No fuel, food, or lodging in Willow Creek itself. Fill up in Glennallen (about 30 km (19 mi) north) or Valdez (about 100 km (62 mi) south).No fuel, food, or lodging in Willow Creek itself. Fill up in Glennallen (about 19 mi (30 km) north) or Valdez (about 62 mi (100 km) south).
- Cell service is spotty; download offline maps before you arrive.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Willow CreekWillow Creek
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
No services in Willow Creek. Nearest help: Glennallen (30 km north) or Valdez (100 km south).
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Willow Creek. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug · avoid Nov–Mar (heavy snow, road closures possible) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Willow Creek
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