The type of animals youre likely to see depends on what season youre there. The best way to see Alaska might be a cruise because there's something for every age. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. You will surely want to learn more about how to visit Denali National Park. Hotel rates and ticket prices typically lower to shoulder-season levels. Find the right card for you. We also will visit some old friends who live in Dutch Harbor. The Denali Park area is especially beautiful during this time. Expect plenty of rain and perhaps a little snow and bear in mind that a lot of businesses shut up shop when the cruisers go home. The Main Street is blocked off to traffic as the streets fill with a parade, entertainers and a series of brightly decorated floats. Many small ship cruises begin operating, but with kids in school, you can still feel like Alaska is all yours. Wild animals are less visible in the snow, including the colossal bears who go into hibernation. While this is one of the most beautiful times of the year to see Alaska, it does come with some drawbacks. But, when is the best time to go? Take a look at our Alaska climate page to see the rainfall averages and daylight hours in October. A raincoat and rain pants are also must-haves, as is a warm hat and gloves. Keeping your Alaska vacation cost down means choosing an itinerary that lands between the two times mentioned above. This is as warm as it gets here and most everyone agrees the peak . As you can see by the list of events above, many of them take place in Anchorage, located in the southern part of the state on the Gulf of Alaska. A visual treat awaits you! Experienced travelers find summer to be the best time to visit Alaska. The spring and fall months in Alaska offer unique opportunities and lower prices. If youre aiming to combine a land tour with a cruise, however, consider that whales are in abundance during that time. Glacier Bay cruises are in full swing. Mosquitoes and other bugs are most prevalent in theboggyinteriorand Arctictundra regions duringmid-summer. Boat trips (June): The start of warmer weather brings opportunities for coastal boat trips and cruises that are ideal for spotting some of the region's incredible marine life. The best time to visit Fairbanks is from July to August. We are not big into city life, noise pollution, bright lights and lots of people. Throughout the summer, weather is variable and can change rapidly. "It can also be some of the nicest . Katmai National Park and Preserve. May is one of the driest months and an optimal one to view wildlife awakening, with lots of babies being born, spring migrations ramping up, snow melting and the landscape budding. Salmon spawn in many of the states streams, drawing bears and eagles. The winter months are best avoided, unless youre looking for winter sports or to see the northern lights in extreme conditions. Taking a cue from the dropping temperatures and shorter days, wildlife becomes increasingly active as they feed constantly in preparation for winter. Check out these 12 unique things you can do in Alaska, Book business-class flights to Europe starting at $1,724, Marriott tosses on yet another fee to rooms at select Los Angeles hotels, Targeted holiday savings: Save up to $40 on Amazon purchases using just one Amex point. #2 The best time to see the northern lights is during the winter months when the nights are the longest. Im concerned about it raining if we come in late July into August. Some smaller cruise-ships begin their southern Alaska itineraries in early April. Its summit is 6190 meters (20,310) feet and is in fact North America's tallest peak. #14 in Best Places to Visit in Alaska. In summer, you can go hunting for wild berries and mushrooms, as well as admire the views from the shores of Anchorage, and enjoy the opportunity to . Your entire vacation is designed around your requirements, Select your preferred style of accommodations, Create the perfect trip with the help of our specialists, All our specialists have traveled extensively or lived in their specialist regions, The same specialist will handle your trip from start to finish, Make the difference between a good trip and an outstanding one, Hand picked by us or our local partners as the best available, Offering more than just dates and names, they strive to offer real insight into their country. Regardless of the month, the key to your visit to Denali is getting organized ahead of time. Temperatures typically range in the 60s and low 70s, although it can occasionally get into the 80s in some areas. Back. No. Families typically visit mid June through mid August. 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. The best time to visit Alaska is between May and September. As the state with by far the most wilderness in the country, its no surprise that Alaska is a great place for wildlife viewing. Summer is the best all-round season to visit Alaska. What do you think would be the best time to visit? Best Time to Drive to Alaska. Try our guide to Alaska's best itineraries by land, air and sea. But they are more annoyance than deterrent sodontlet bugs affect your travel plans. Your email address will not be published. Salmon return in droves. June. Weather is wet and increasingly cold. Land tours, averaging 5-8 days, set you up to thoroughly enjoy some of Alaskas best national parks during this ideal month. Winter in Alaska can be bitterly cold, which means most visitors head north in the summer. The average length of the day is 18 hours. Canada has it all - from breathtaking scenery, to modern, vibrant cities, friendly locals and incredible wildlife. Yes, the driving distance between Fairbanks to Denali (Station) is 123 miles. Travelers visit Alaska in search of adventure, stunning scenery and solitude all of which can be found year-round. Do you know what time of year is when mosquitoes are all over?? Early May, when the air is fresh with beginnings, is a favorite time to visit for Sue Perin, an expedition leader who has been traveling to Alaska with Lindblad since 1993. Please give me some ideal here when go go, should we stay in Anchorage for few days then take off to Dutch Harbor? All rights reserved. In the central and southern parts of the state, temperatures fall in the range of 60F - 72F. Alaska Tour & Travel uses cookies to track your trip selections and favorites. June through September - the Alaskan summer months - are generally considered the best time to visit Alaska for the greatest experience and variety of things to do. This is the season when almost everything is open from national park visitor centers to ice cream vendors and the wildlife is at its most active. You can visit St Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest National Park in the country. Alaskan State Fair (August): Taking place in Palmer, this is the largest event of the state with a fairground, carnival and concert to mark the last few days of summer. Whale watching is excellent and it's less busy than July. Ripe berries attract hungry bears.Key events: Alaska State Fair (Palmer), Gold Rush Days (Valdez). Summer continues and the landscape is almost fully defrosted. The least expensive time is early November through mid-December. Journey to the planet's most magnificent places with this thought-provoking portrait of our world. Temperatures are highest June through August, with highs often in the 60s. Will I enjoy cruising without a lot of side excursions. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Alaska offers countless experiences and adventures, like Denali National Park and the northern lights, so we've narrowed the list of activities for you. However, if you are hoping to visit Denali then wait until it opens in the second week in June. Celebrity Eclipse. Fall is the mating season for moose, goats, caribou and muskoxen, which often brings them to open areas where they can be seen easily. How exciting! Warm days and short nights make this a really nice time of year to visit and much of the states iconic wildlife is very active. Notwithstanding, there are few bright spots. Consider Exploring Alaskas Coastal Wilderness aboard the 100 guest National Geographic Quest or Venture. You'll experience temperatures in the 60's to low 70's, 16-24 hrs of daylight, leaves and flowers in bloom, rushing rivers, and the best wildlife viewing. While lodging is generally cheapest during early winter, airfare costs vary widely based on your point of origin. The best time to visit Alaska is between mid-June and mid-September. Alaska is a rainy destination, so you are likely to encounter rain at some point during your trip no matter what summer month you choose. The weather in June is also perfect for active outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking, and glacier walks. Check out our Transportation Finder to check on availability of coach and rail seats during peak season. The days are darker, snow may have started falling and the temperatures drop with the onset of winter. Tours, lodges, shuttle buses, Visitor Centers, Ranger Stations and campgrounds are all closed. Key events: Willow Winter Carnival. Coastal towns in Alaska are located near the Arctic Circle, so the winters can be long and cold. Hi Patty, Alaska is open for travel year-round, but the primary tourist season begins in June and ends in August. May is considered Alaskas spring and early shoulder season. Some areas, especially shady spots and higher elevations, will still have snow. Are there many things to see and do at that time or would you recommend another time? Fourth of July: The population of Seward swells from around 2,500 to nearly 40,000 for the July Fourth celebrations. We are thrilled you get to experience Alaska this summer. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. More land trips are available due to the melting snow. Or is there any condition when they are not that annoying? Have a question or looking for advice about the best time to visit Alaska? The aurora borealis (northern lights) is more spectacular during the longer, darker nights, particularly in the north around Fairbanks. Small, sustainable travel options are at our core. 9. During the winter, peak times are between 11:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. During September and March, the peak time starts and ends about an hour later. $189 CLEAR Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR membership. What to do in Alaska: our highlights guide. Twenty-four-hour darkness and sun at midnight. Between plentiful adventures and really long days, you cant beat summer in Alaska. Youre likely referring to the Mendenhall Glacier out of Juneau, Alaska, which our team has experience visiting, but mostly en route to Alaska small ship cruises or other adventures in the Southeast Alaska region. Midway through August, colder temperatures encourage brilliant fall foliage, especially in the interior and Denali National Park. Booking Your Travel in the Time of COVID-19, Whale Watching Aboard Small Ship Cruises in Alaska, Coastal temperature in Alaska in April: 30-45 degrees & 11 hours of daylight, Interior temperature in Alaska in April: 15-40 degrees & 14 hours of daylight, Arctic temperature in Alaska in April: -10-5 degrees & 16 hours of daylight, Travelers in April and early spring will find lower prices & Alaska travel deals, April & early spring have Alaska to themselves with non-existent crowds, Increased offerings for themed cruises & onboard special guests, Longer northbound positioning cruises from Seattle to Alaska, Water: Steller sea lions, orca, humpback whales, herring, Birds: chickadees, wrens, jays, grouse, thrushes, ducks, loons, swans, geese, owls, bald eagles, Land: mountain goats, brown & black bears, Coastal temperature in Alaska in May: 40-55 degrees & 16 hours of daylight, Interior temperature in Alaska in May: 30-55 degrees & 18 hours of daylight, Arctic temperature in Alaska in May: 15-24 degrees & 22 hours of daylight, On average the month of May has the least amount of rain, Travelers in May will find lower prices and Alaska travel deals, May has fewer tourist crowds than the prime summer months, May offers longer northbound positioning cruises from Seattle to Alaska, Birds: migratory songbirds & pelagic seabirds arriving on coast, Coastal temperature in Alaska in June: 40-60 degrees & 18 hours of daylight, Interior temperature in Alaska in June: 50-70 degrees & 20 hours of daylight, Arctic temperature in Alaska in June: 29-38 degrees & nearly 24 hours of daylight, Longest daylight hours make active wildlife & ample time for exploration, Denali National Park & other interior parks open, Popular towns such as Juneau, Sitka, Anchorage & Fairbanks are in full swing, Opportunities for cruise & land tour combinations begin, Wildlife is active with opportunities to view young animals, Melted snow enables higher altitude hikes, Water: harbor seal pups, ducks hatching, beluga whales, Birds: optimal seabird & alpine bird rookery viewing, Land: caribou, mountain goat kids, black bear cubs, moose calves, Coastal temperature in Alaska in July: 50-65 degrees & 18 hours of daylight, Interior temperature in Alaska in July: 50-70 degrees & 19 hours of daylight, Arctic temperature in Alaska in July: 33-45 degrees & nearly 24 hours of daylight, Opportunities for cruise & land tour combinations continue, Long daylight hours make active wildlife & ample time for exploration, Alaskas warmest temperatures of the year occur in July, Water: prime month for humpback whales, salmon runs, sea otters, Birds: puffins, shorebirds begin migrating (millions of birds possible in a flock), Land: black & brown bears (including grizzlies); mountain goats, Coastal temperature in Alaska in August: 50-60 degrees & 18 hours of daylight, Interior temperature in Alaska in August: 45-65 degrees & 18 hours of daylight, Arctic temperature in Alaska in August: 33-41 degrees & 20 hours of daylight, Ideal fishing conditions (halibut, rainbow trout, northern pike, salmon), Birds: peak songbird migration, bald eagles, loons, Land: caribou, black & brown bears (including grizzlies), Coastal temperature in Alaska in September: 40-55 degrees & 15 hours of daylight, Interior temperature in Alaska in September: 35-55 degrees & 17 hours of daylight, Arctic temperature in Alaska in September: 28-33 degrees & 14 hours of daylight, Travelers in September will find lower prices & Alaska travel deals, September has fewer tourist crowds than the prime summer months, September offers longer southbound positioning cruises from Alaska to Seattle, Water: gray whales, harbor seals, sea lions, Birds: gulls & raptors begin migrating, bald eagles, black oystercatchers.