The Best Time to Visit Alaska

One question we always get asked is "when is the best time to visit Alaska?" - and honestly, the answer varies depending on what you're hoping to see (wildlife, northern lights, glaciers, etc) and what area of Alaska you're hoping to visit. Lucky for you, we've organized our Ultimate Guide to Alaska by the Winter/Summer season so you can easily see what there is to do and what's open.

Generally speaking, Southeast/Southcentral Alaska can be much warmer in the winter, and the Interior/Northern Slope of Alaska will be much colder, icier, and snowier (many negative temperature days). Same goes for sunlight in the winter months, the Southeast/Southcentral areas will stay brighter longer and the Interior/Northern Slope will be dark for months on end. In the summer months you can expect the opposite, with direct sunlight for months on end on the Northern Slope.

Below, I've put together a short summary of what to expect in each season in Alaska so that you can decided for yourself what the best season is for you to visit Alaska!

1. Summer - Peak tourist season, with many cruise visitors and vanlife/RV-ers. Because of the warm weather and clear roads, this is always the busiest time for Alaska, and you'll often have long waits for dinner and crowded "must-visit" spots. In my personal opinion, this is the best time to see marine wildlife, like orca pods & bubbling whales, and the best time to go hiking - where most trails are well traveled and not too muddy. You'll find this is the most expensive season to visit Alaska, as hotels & tours can often double/triple in price. If you want to visit the National Parks, go hiking, see wildlife, and visit Glaciers, then this is the best month to visit.

2. Fall - My personal favorite season in Alaska. The "fall" season in Alaska can be very short, with peak leaf season lasting only 1-2 weeks max, you can expect lots of yellows. Prices in the fall also tend to drop back down to their regular pricing. I recommend visiting in September, when most businesses are still open, you can still enjoy the daylight/warmer temperatures, and it's dark enough at night to enjoy the Northern Lights!

3. Spring - Spring in Alaska can vary, widely. We might just get a giant snowstorm that dumps feet of snow on us, or we might be experiencing an early summer - perhaps with lots of mud. It's also worth noting that although most local businesses stay closed, there are some that begin to reopen during this time. In the springtime you can expect muddy trails, quiet "must-visit" spots with no crowds, and incredible Northern Lights Storms.

4. Winter - The least popular time to visit Alaska, unless you're going to Fairbanks. Although it can be cold and dark for a majority of the day (all day in the more Northern areas of Alaska), this gives you plenty of chances to view the Northern Lights. There are also plenty of unique winter events during these months, and often times this is the least expensive time to visit. You can also expect many seasonal businesses to be closed, including different stays, places to eat, and many tours that are only open in the Summer. Of course, this also opens up many other experiences, like snowmobiling, ice-fishing, and ice skating to frozen glaciers! Winter can be a fun time to visit and experience unique activities and festivals, and as long as you bundle up it'll also give you the most chances to see the Northern Lights!