Alaska Travel Tips

Summer is when Alaska comes alive — 18-22 hours of daylight, temperatures in the 55-75°F range, and every road, lodge, and tour is open. This is also the most expensive and crowded time. Denali and Glacier Bay fill up months ahead. Book accommodation and popular tours 3-6 months in advance. Expect to pay 40-60% more than shoulder season.

Our recommended sweet spot. May brings spring blooms, migrating birds, and opening-week deals at lodges. September delivers fall tundra colors, fewer crowds, and the first aurora sightings. Prices drop 20-40% from peak. Some remote lodges and unpaved roads may not yet be open in early May or may close in late September.

Fairbanks is one of the best places on Earth to see the northern lights, with aurora visible an average of 240 nights per year. Peak viewing is September through March when skies are dark enough. Winter temperatures can plunge to -20°F to -40°F, but Chena Hot Springs and aurora lodges make it comfortable. Dog sledding, ice fishing, and snowmobiling round out winter trips.

Alaska in winter is not for the unprepared, but it rewards those who come ready. Short days (Anchorage gets ~5.5 hours of daylight in December), extreme cold in the Interior, and limited road access. But winter also brings northern lights, world-class skiing at Alyeska, the Iditarod in March, and Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage. Flights and hotels are at their cheapest outside holiday weeks.

A rental car is the most flexible option for road-accessible destinations. Expect $75-150/day in summer from Anchorage or Fairbanks. The major highways (Seward, Parks, Glenn, Richardson, Sterling) are paved and well-maintained. Total paved road mileage in Alaska is less than most Lower 48 states — you cannot drive to Juneau, Kodiak, Nome, or most of Southeast Alaska. Fill up at every gas station; stretches of 100+ miles without fuel are common.

The Alaska Railroad runs from Seward through Anchorage to Fairbanks, with a spur to Whittier. The Denali Star route (Anchorage to Fairbanks, ~12 hours, $150-350+) is one of the most scenic train rides in North America. GoldStar dome service is worth the splurge for panoramic views of Denali. The Coastal Classic (Anchorage to Seward, ~4 hours) passes glaciers and is a fantastic way to reach Kenai Fjords.

The state ferry system connects 33 communities from Bellingham, WA, through Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage and across to Kodiak and Dutch Harbor. The Bellingham-to-Juneau run takes 3 days and is a budget-friendly alternative to cruises ($350+ one-way with a cabin). Vehicles can be ferried between towns. Book vehicle spots early in summer — they sell out fast. Schedules are limited and change yearly, so check dot.alaska.gov/amhs.

Bush planes are not a novelty in Alaska — they are essential transportation. Roughly 80% of Alaska communities are not accessible by road. Flightseeing tours to Denali, bear-viewing trips to Katmai (Brooks Falls), and access to remote lodges all depend on small aircraft. Expect $200-600+ per person for a flightseeing tour, $600-800+ for a Katmai day trip from Anchorage. Weather delays are common — always build buffer days into your itinerary. Bush planes have strict weight limits — pack light and use a floating waterproof dry bag to protect electronics and documents.

Camp at state and federal campgrounds ($10-25/night) or stay at hostels in Anchorage, Juneau, and Seward ($35-60/night). Cook your own meals — bring a camp stove and stock up at Walmart or Fred Meyer in Anchorage before heading out. Free hiking trails are Alaska's best attraction. Take the Anchorage public bus (People Mover, $2) to trailheads. Prioritize free or low-cost activities: glaciers, wildlife viewing from the road, and ranger-led programs in national parks.

Stay at 3-star hotels, B&Bs, or vacation rentals ($150-250/night). Eat at local restaurants for lunch ($15-25) and cook some dinners. Rent a car ($80-120/day). Budget one paid excursion every other day ($75-250). This is where most visitors land, and it gives you a comfortable trip with a mix of splurge-worthy tours and self-guided exploration.

Wilderness lodges ($500-2,000+/night, often all-inclusive with meals and guided activities). Helicopter glacier landings ($300-500/person). Guided fishing charters ($300-500/day). Flightseeing with glacier landings ($250-600/person). Private bear-viewing trips to Katmai or Lake Clark ($800-1,200/person). Alaska does remote luxury like nowhere else.

Visit in May or September for 20-40% lower prices. Buy an America the Beautiful pass ($80) for free entry to Denali, Kenai Fjords, Glacier Bay, and all national parks and forests. Grocery prices outside Anchorage are 30-50% higher — stock up in the city. Bring your own camping gear from home if possible. Shoulder-season ferry fares are significantly cheaper. Happy hour specials in Anchorage and Juneau can cut dining costs substantially.

Alaska is home to brown bears (grizzlies), black bears, and polar bears (Arctic coast). Carry bear spray on every hike and know how to use it — practice drawing and deploying before you hit the trail. Make noise on trails to avoid surprising bears. Store food in bear-resistant containers when camping. Never run from a bear. If you encounter a brown bear, speak calmly and back away slowly. Bear safety is not optional — it is fundamental to every Alaska outdoor activity.

Hypothermia can occur even in summer when rain and wind combine with temperatures in the 40s-50s°F. Dress in layers with moisture-wicking base layers — a Smartwool merino base layer is ideal — and add a Patagonia Better Sweater as your mid-layer. Cotton kills in cold, wet conditions. Always carry rain gear, even on sunny days. In winter, add a heavy insulated parka and a neck gaiter. Carry hand warmers on every hike, no matter how short.

In summer, Anchorage gets 19+ hours of daylight in June; Fairbanks gets nearly 24 hours. This is exhilarating but disorienting — you will need a sleep mask and should set alarms, because your body clock will lose all reference points. In December, Anchorage sees roughly 5.5 hours of daylight, and Utqiagvik (Barrow) has 67 days of complete polar night. In winter, carry a reliable headlamp at all times.

Cell coverage in Alaska is limited to major towns and highways near population centers. Once you leave the main road system, expect zero coverage. The Parks Highway has spotty service between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Denali backcountry, Wrangell-St. Elias, and most of the Bush have no service at all. Rent or buy a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach, $15-50/month plan) if you are heading into remote areas. It could save your life.

Alaska's rivers are glacially fed — frigid (35-45°F) and fast-moving, even when they look calm. Never wade deeper than knee height without proper gear. Turnagain Arm near Anchorage has extreme tidal flats that act like quicksand; people have died after getting stuck and being caught by the incoming bore tide. Stay on marked trails near tidal areas and never walk out onto glacial mud flats.

Base layer: Smartwool Classic Thermal 250 Crew or bottoms — merino wool is the gold standard (never cotton). Mid layer: Patagonia Better Sweater or a packable puffer for insulation. Outer layer: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket — waterproof and breathable. In winter, add insulated pants and a balaclava. The three-layer system works for summer hiking in Denali, whale watching in Juneau, and glacier cruises in Kenai Fjords.

Southeast Alaska (Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka) gets 60-90+ inches of rain per year. Even Anchorage averages rain on 40% of summer days. The Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket is the single most important item you will pack — lightweight, packable, and genuinely waterproof. Bring waterproof pants too — you will want them on boat tours, glacier hikes, and rainy trail days. Rubber boots (Xtratuf brand) are the unofficial shoe of Alaska and can be bought in any town.

Counter Assault Bear Spray is essential for any hiking outside of towns — buy it in Anchorage, you cannot fly with it. Nikon PROSTAFF Binoculars are nearly as important: spotting wildlife (moose, bears, eagles, whales, puffins) from a safe distance is a daily occurrence in Alaska. A good 8x42 or 10x42 pair transforms every drive and hike. A GoPro HERO13 handles the wet conditions that ruin regular cameras.

Alaska mosquitoes are legendary — thick clouds of them from June through mid-August, especially in Interior Alaska, tundra areas, and anywhere near standing water. Bring DEET-based repellent (30%+ concentration) or Picaridin. An EVEN NATURALS bug head net is invaluable for serious backcountry hiking. Permethrin-treated clothing adds another layer of protection. The mosquitoes are worst in late June and early July.

Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Boots handle Alaska's rooty, rocky, muddy trails — ankle support is essential. Carry an Osprey Daylite Plus 20L daypack. Wear Darn Tough Hiker Socks — they outlast every other brand. Carry a Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter for backcountry water sources, a Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp, and a CamelBak M.U.L.E. 12 if you prefer hands-free hydration. Families with young children should consider the Osprey Poco Child Carrier.

For winter and late-season trips: MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes for backcountry winter access, Kahtoola MICROspikes for icy trails and parking lots, and GORE-TEX Gaiters for snow and deep mud. Keep your hands warm with TRENDOUX Touchscreen Thermal Gloves and top it with a Carhartt Knit Beanie. Always bring HotHands hand warmers — they are cheap, light, and invaluable at -20°F.

Summer sun is intense at high latitudes and reflects blindingly off snow and glaciers — a Columbia Bora Bora Booney hat and a Hydro Flask 32oz are both on my every-trip list. Keep a high-capacity Anker power bank charged for remote areas with no outlets. For road trips, an EcoNour car sun shade is essential when you are parked during 20-hour days. A pack cover protects your bag on boat tours. And if you are an angler, a KastKing telescopic fishing rod packs small and handles Alaska salmon — pair it with NRS neoprene paddle gloves for kayak fishing in cold water.