Article Summary: Best Time to Visit Alaska
An Alaskan adventure is almost on everyone’s wish list – striking landscapes, incredible wildlife, frigid temperatures, and the breathtaking Northern Lights are just a sample of what the most extensive state in the US has to deliver.
With over 650,000 sq. mi. of mountainous, inland, coastal, and wild terrain, anyone who’s an adventurer at heart will enjoy touring Alaska.
Top-class fishing and the opportunity to watch whales, moose, bears, and the aurora borealis (the Northern Lights) attract millions of tourists to this location annually. But your Alaskan adventure will be quite different if you travel in January versus July.
That’s why it’s crucial to know your vacation’s timing before going too far along in the planning period. Planning an unforgettable tour to Alaska at the ideal time of year needs:
- Discovering the general weather, sunlight, and temperature patterns.
- Knowing the most suitable time of year for your desired activities and events like witnessing the Northern Lights, seeing grizzlies, or grabbing a Chinook salmon.
- Picking the part(s) of Alaska you wish to explore.
That’s exactly what we have collected for you in this travel guide! Whether you are seeking the most excellent time to go, the least crowded months to visit, or the cheapest months to travel there, we have covered you.
Here’s what you need to know about each season for an amazing Alaskan vacation to plan the perfect trip.
- 1. Visiting Alaska in the summer
- 2. Visiting Alaska in Spring
- 3. Visiting Alaska in Fall
- 4. Visiting Alaska in Winter
- So, when is the finest time to tour Alaska?
- Time To Avoid Alaska
- Weather and Packing for Alaska trip
- Timing and Latitude in Alaska
This article may contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program. If you click, book, or buy something from one of the links, I may earn a commission. Read more in our Privacy Policy.
Quick Guide to the Best Season to Visit Alaska
Best Time to Visit Alaska
Visiting Alaska in the Summer
When you hear Alaska, what do you think of? You are not alone if your first thought is a frigid, snowy tundra with polar bears, igloos, and dog sledding.
You aren’t wrong, mostly. Igloos aren’t an Alaska Native thing and polar bears are limited to the coastline of the Arctic Ocean. But the frigid snowy tundra is limited to the winter months.
Alaska comes ALIVE with life during the summer months. You will find a green landscape that is moderately warm with wildflower blooms, and amazing wildlife that is just waiting to be explored.
For a lot of reasons summertime is the BEST season to
Instead, wildflowers bloom, temperatures increase, and brown and black bears appear from hibernation. The summer period is the complete life in Alaska! And odds are, that is when you’ll prefer to visit.
Summertime in Alaska is the most favored – especially in July and August when kids are on school vacation.