Shower Facilities … Alaska Travelers and Those Without Plumbing Can Enjoy A Hot Shower, Too Shower facilities are readily available for travelers in Alaska.

Not every Alaska home has an indoor bathroom. Many Alaskan’s don’t have plumbing, with running water and flush toilets, that people in other states take for granted. This, plus the large number of RVers and campers visiting Alaska, creates a need for shower facilities for the public.

You can find shower facilities in laundromats. Some are handicapped accessible. Some are family showers, so parents can help their children. Expect to pay $2.00 - $5.00 for each shower.

Some are coin operated showers. These typically are on a timer. When the time is up, the water shuts off. If you want a longer shower, you insert more coins. It is always good to have enough quarters with you to restart the shower. Having a head full of lather when the meter runs out, and not being able to buy rinse water, is not a fun experience.

At some, you pay the attendant. These are likely to be more lenient on shower times. If it is in the summer or at a busy time of day when others are waiting, expect the time limits to be more strictly enforced.

You usually get a clean towel to use when you buy a shower. Some places include a washcloth and or a bathmat. Some also give you a small bar of soap.

If you forget your shower supplies, it shouldn’t be a problem. Just as they sell the small boxes of laundry detergent and fabric softener, they often sell shampoo and conditioner. Some have additional grooming aids for sale – bar soap, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.

If you need to do laundry, you can usually shower while the clothes are washing. After your shower, switch your clothes to the dryers. This saves the most time. However, assuming you put on clean clothes after you shower, this does mean that you will leave the laundromat with a set of dirty clothes.

If you are staying at an RV park, they may have showers for you to use. But, do not assume that every campground has shower facilities. Even if they do have showers, there may be an extra fee for using them.

Similarly, not every hostel and motel has a shower or bath in the room. You may find it preferable to shower at laundromats rather than to use the shared shower facilities at these accommodations.

You may also be able to find showers in city campgrounds, at the Harbor Master’s building, and at gas stations. These may or may not be free if you are paying for a campsite or boat docking, or if you are patronizing the gas station.

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