Planning an Alaskan Vacation: Where and When to Go
What comes to mind when you think of Alaska? If it’s steep-walled fjords, charismatic wildlife, or glaciers creeping down the side of a mountain, then you’re already in tune with some of our state’s grandest sights. But there’s so much to Alaska—and every part of the state is a little different. Get started planning an Alaskan vacation with the tips below.
Where to Go
Juneau and Southeast Alaska
The lush, temperate rainforest and mild climate of Southeast Alaska’s island communities turn outdoor excursions into Jurassic Park-style adventures. With waters rich for fishing and whale-watching, and tall trees perfect for zip-lining, it’s wildly popular with both cruise ship passengers and independent travelers, who make use of the ferry system and convenient connections via plane. Juneau is not only the central transit hub for this region, but also the state capital and the pinnacle of urban life in Southeast Alaska—as urban as it gets around here, anyway.
At the opposite end of the spectrum are communities like tiny Gustavus, population about 650, which is the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park, where the wildlife outnumbers the people. Other popular stops include Ketchikan, with its rich mix of Alaska Native cultures; Skagway, which is all about the Klondike Gold Rush; Sitka, which blends strong traditional roots with the influence of Russian settlers; and fishing towns like Wrangell and Petersburg.
Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska
With a population of about 300,000, Anchorage contains almost half the state’s population and offers a wealth of urban amenities. It’s a good base for going kayaking, hiking, or even flight-seeing by day, then enjoying big-city comforts by night. If you want the greatest range of Alaska experiences in the shortest time, Southcentral Alaska is the place to be. Anchorage makes a good first destination before you set out on trips south along the Kenai Peninsula, north into the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, or east into the spectacular fjords of Prince William Sound.
Other notable Southcentral Alaska communities include seaside towns like historic Valdez, which has survived both the Great Earthquake of 1964 and the Exxon Valdez oil disaster; Hope, where hiking and mountain biking await; the cruise port of Seward; and the fishing meccas of Kenai, Soldotna, and Homer, the latter of which is also renowned for its thriving art scene.
Denali, Fairbanks, and the Interior
If you want the most varied and accessible wildlife viewing in the state, head for Denali National Park. You may see Dall sheep, mountain goats, wolves, and maybe even bears in the wide swaths of untouched wilderness, all centered around the highest peak in North America. Fairbanks has a fascinating mix of natural history and culture, with everything from Athabascan fiddling and gold panning to a chance to roam with reindeer. But the busiest season here is winter, when droves come to see the northern lights and quintessentially Alaskan activities like dog mushing and ice carving.
Kodiak and Southwest Alaska
Southwest Alaska’s communities are small and remote—so they’re perfect for watching wildlife. Alaska’s “Emerald Isle,” Kodiak, is popular for bear-viewing tours to nearby Katmai National Park; it also has a rich Alaska Native heritage. Farther west, Dillingham offers unparalleled fishing at the head of the world’s most ecologically intact (and most famous) salmon fishery, Bristol Bay. The lush islands of Unalaska/Dutch Harbor are a birder and ecotourist’s paradise. The Pribilof Islands contain some of the state’s richest coastline, dotted with colonies of walruses, fur seals, and seabirds.
The Arctic
In the Arctic Circle, the sun really does vanish for a while in the winter—then returns to provide 24-hour light during the summer. This creates an unbelievably lush but short-lived ecosystem. This is also the only part of Alaska where you’ll encounter polar bears. Remote Arctic communities can be reached only by small plane and preserve deeply rooted Indigenous traditions.
When to Go
High and Low Seasons
High season for most of the state is mid-June through early September. (In Southeast Alaska, high season starts in May and ends in late September. Southeast’s shoulder seasons are usually April and October.) Traveling in high season means you’ll have the best weather, the richest landscape, more touring and wildlife-viewing opportunities, and the most services available—along with the highest prices. July-August are the best months for salmon fishing.
You can save money—and still have a great time—during the shoulder seasons (May and September). May-June are the best months for birding trips. You’ll have few, if any, salmon-fishing options at that time of year, but halibut fishing is good. In Southcentral and Interior Alaska, spring may not start as early as May, but the rainforests of Southeast are always green.
In Fairbanks the high season is actually winter, when visitors arrive to watch the aurora borealis. The Iditarod sled dog race, which starts in Southcentral Alaska and ends in Nome, draws visitors from all over the world.
Advance Reservations
Book at least 6 months ahead to find high-season lodgings in your price range. If you’re aiming for a high-demand lodging, a very small community like Haines, or an annual event like the Iditarod or a salmon fishing lodge in July, do your best to plan a year in advance. The most spectacular wildlife-viewing opportunities, such as visiting the Walrus Islands State Game Sanctuary, require you to secure a permit that may sell out nine or more months in advance, or there may be a limited application period that runs about that far in advance.
If you’re planning to bring a car on the Alaska state ferry system or want a cabin berth, book as early as possible—ideally 6 months or more in advance. But if you’re traveling with no vehicle (or only a bike), walk-on spots are almost always available at the last minute. With that said, the ferry system uses dynamic pricing based on customer load, so all passengers will save money by buying tickets in advance.
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