When is the best time to travel to Alaska
By Laura Nguyen
Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of Alaska during summer, where vibrant landscapes, abundant wildlife, and endless daylight create a truly unforgettable experience.
Best time to travel to Alaska! When to plan your vacation
Thursday 05 November 2026
Alaska's wild beauty is alluring year-round, but summertime visitors can experience exciting wildlife sightings, including those of bears and humpback whales.
When is the best time to visit Alaska?
Alaska is far to the north, but that does not mean there is no T-shirt weather! After travelling here throughout the year, this is our take on the seasons and what to expect. The short answer: there is no single best time. It depends on what you want to see and do.
Summer, from June to August, is the classic choice. School holidays and comfortable weather make it the most popular time, with plenty of hiking, fishing, and wildlife. But the spring and autumn shoulder seasons, and even winter, have a lot to offer.
Best time by interest
🐻 Bears and salmon
July and September
July and September
🐋 Whales and sea life
May to September
May to September
☀️ Warmest weather, longest days
June and July
June and July
🍂 Fall colours
Late August to mid-September
Late August to mid-September
🌌 Northern Lights
Late August to April
Late August to April
🐕 Iditarod and winter festivals
Late February to March
Late February to March
💵 Lower prices, fewer visitors
May and September
May and September
A single weather summary for a state as big as Alaska is a tall order. Even in summer the weather can be changeable, so always be prepared for it to turn. A few broad comments help.
During the mid-May to late-September cruising season, travellers usually enjoy mild temperatures, with highs of about 50 to 65°F (10-18°C), except on the Alaska Peninsula and in the Aleutians, where highs hover in the 40s. Rainfall varies a lot: Anchorage and the northern Inside Passage ports see only 1 to 3 inches of precipitation a month in summer, while the southern Inside Passage and Prince William Sound ports are far wetter. Most areas follow a pattern of less rain in May, June and July, and a bit more in August and September.
Alaska month by month
Temperatures and daylight are for Anchorage (NOAA 1991-2020 averages, daylight about mid-month). Farther north it is lighter in summer, and colder everywhere else in winter.
May
High about 56°F (13°C) · about 17 hours of daylight
Spring flowers start to bloom as the snow melts. It is shoulder season, so the ports are still quiet, the weather is often pleasant, and prices are lower. May is also one of the driest months in Anchorage, with well under an inch of rain on average. National parks reopen for hiking and wildlife viewing, and because the trees are not yet in full leaf there is a decent chance of seeing bears and moose. Humpback whales and orcas are on the move, along with harbour seals and grey whales. It is still cool, but May is one of the best months to pick up a rental car in Anchorage and explore. Take a look at our Alaska driving tour itineraries. Some seasonal tours and lodges may not have opened yet.
June
High about 63°F (17°C) · about 19 hours of daylight
The days are long and bright, and even longer farther north. Parks and trails are open, most routes are free of snow, and the tourism season is picking up. More activities become available as the weather improves, including flightseeing, floatplane tours, and glacier trekking. Animals are raising their young, so you may see seal calves, bear cubs, young goats, and moose calves, and beluga whales come to feed. The Alaska Railroad runs daily departures from Anchorage to Seward, Denali National Park and Fairbanks, and Glacier Bay is open, with day cruises into Glacier Bay National Park in full swing. Early June comes before the main summer-holiday rush, so the ports are not yet busy. This is one of the best months to travel. Don't miss the solstice festivals around June 21.
July
High about 66°F (19°C) · about 18 hours of daylight
July is the warmest month, and a little wetter than June. The salmon are running, which is a spectacular sight in places like Ketchikan, and bears gather at the riverbanks to feast. July is the best time to see the highest concentration of brown bears catching salmon at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. You can also see sea otters in groups and humpback whales. It is a great time for families, and things get busier as schools break up, so book early.
August
High about 64°F (18°C) · about 16 hours of daylight
The Alaskan summer is short, and by August it is getting cooler and rainier. At the end of the month the leaves begin to turn crimson and orange, and the autumn colours are especially beautiful in Denali National Park and around the Arctic Circle, north of Fairbanks. The wildlife is still out and about, and bears are filling up on the last of the salmon before winter. With plenty of halibut, salmon, and rainbow trout, it is a wonderful month for fishing trips, and mountain trails and passes are snow-free. At Brooks Falls, August is usually quieter, as the salmon spawn and many bears move on.
September
High about 56°F (13°C) · about 13 hours of daylight
Autumn has fully arrived. The forests are blazing with colour and the first snow dusts the mountains. September is the wettest month in Anchorage, and the weather turns chilly, but visitors are rewarded with lower prices and smaller crowds. Bears return to the rivers to feed on the last salmon, and the nights are dark enough again for the aurora (see below). The cruise season ends in the middle of the month, so some services begin to close.
Winter (October to April)
Anchorage highs from about 45°F (7°C) in April to 23°F (-5°C) in January
Bundle up, it's cold! Alaska becomes an extremely frigid and beautiful place in winter, covered in snow and ice. Dress warmly, with jackets, heavy clothing, and a face mask or scarf to keep the cold off your face. If you don't mind the cold, go skiing, try an unusual winter activity like reindeer trekking or dog sledding, or see the Northern Lights. Services are reduced in winter, so plan ahead.
Northern Lights season: late August to April
To see the aurora you need a few things to come together at the same time: a clear sky, darkness, and enough activity from our dear sun. When it happens, it is like watching a great game! Don't be put off by the thought that it is rare, because in reality many people see it, and you only have to look online to see the pictures visitors have taken.
Fairbanks is one of the most reliable places in Alaska, so allow several nights and go out in the late evening. You can also see the lights from Anchorage, where I have seen them in September, although the city lights make it harder. Depending on where you are in Alaska, the aurora can be visible until the end of March or into April. Take a look at our Northern Lights viewing tours or our Northern Lights & Railroad Tours.
March: the Iditarod Sled Dog Race
March is when the Iditarod Sled Dog Race gets going, with its ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage on the first Saturday of the month. You have to be there to feel the energy. We have written an entire blog about the Iditarod Race on our site, so click through to read the real side of the sled dog race.
For a perfect winter adventure, combine the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Northern Lights viewing, and a scenic ride on the Alaska Railroad.
The real gem is always there. Alaska offers something to do in every season, and its pristine nature is there all year round, whether it is fall colours, calm snow-white valleys in winter, or the serene national parks.
Not sure when to go?
Tell us what you would like to see and do, and we will help you pick the best time and plan your Alaska trip.
Contact Alaska Active