2nd Annual Alaska Mini Rally

Hey everybody! Just wanted to give a little more info on the Alaska Mini Rally June 28-30, 2026. I have reserved the group campsite at K’esugi Ken Campground near mile 135 on the Parks Highway. This is about a half hour north of the Talkeetna Junction road, and about 1/4 mile north and on the opposite side of the road of the South Denali Viewpoint rest area/campground.

The campground restricts the group site to 10 vehicles, so I will hold spots the first 10 who click “going” on the event link (currently there are 9 of us, so there’s 1 spot left). I will also check with the State Park Service to see how strict they are, and if they don’t mind, we can accommodate 12-13 EKKOs. It’ll be $20 per vehicle for both nights for those who stay in the group site considering we stick to the 10 vehicle limit, a little less is we can get 12-13 parked in the group site.

The group site has its own pit toilet, so it’s easy to dump our cassettes. The group site doesn’t have electrical, but if you’d like electrical and don’t mind being a short walk from the group site, there are currently 4 sites still available for $28/night, honestly a true bargain for how incredible this campground is: https://alaskastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/kesugi-ken-campground/r/facilityDetails.do?contractCode=AK&parkId=1181700.

This is a really popular campground and these sites will go fast, so if you want one, grab it now!

Additionally, if all 10 spots for the group site fill up (as I type this 8 people have indicated they are going), and you can’t get an electrical reserved site, they allow overflow camping at the trailhead parking lot for $20/night. I’ve stayed there many times, and it is quiet and lovely, almost level, and has a pit toilet. So bottom line, there will be space for anyone who wants to come, even if you can’t commit to the group site yet and don’t want to reserve an electrical spot.

Last year those of us who were coming up from the south met at the Denali Brewing tasting room the first day around 11:30 am for lunch and brews. Then we met those who came from the north at the campground around 2:00 pm to get parked and get to know each other. We were all on our own for dinners both nights last year, but if folks are interested, maybe we could do coordinated dinners this time? We will discuss as it gets closer. On the second day those of us who were up for it did the Curry Ridge hike together. It’s about a 6.5 mile roundtrip hike up mostly gentle switchbacks to what I believe is the best overlook of Denali that exists (fingers crossed she will be out!!! Last year was a little too cloudy but the view of the Alaska range and Ruth Glacier was still amazing even though the mountain was obscured). For those not up for the hike, there are shorter, flatter trails available, or just hang out and enjoy the lovely campground.

Day 3 we will need to all be out of the campground by noon.

The campground does have one water spigot if anyone is in a pinch, but it’s not in a super convenient location and it’s not a very fast fill, so I’d strongly recommend filling with water before you get there. Cell phone coverage is mediocre in the campground - I can usually get 1 or 2 bars. Good enough for phone calls and text, not so good for data.

Let me know if you have any questions! Last year was so much fun and was my first experience meeting a group of other EKKO owners - made me so jealous of the folks in the lower 48 who can go to all the rallies. So glad I can set this up again!!!