Do you want an opportunity to see the most beautiful scenery ever? Or is watching the northern lights on your to-do list? Then, taking a trip to Alaska during the best time to visit Alaska might prove worthwhile. You can also visit Costa Rica if connecting with nature is your plan. But visiting Alaska will give you a wholesome experience.
Alaska is more than just a beautiful picture; it’s a rejuvenating location. One can experience a connection with Alaskan Native culture through the lush natural beauty, glacier tours, northern lights tours, mountain adventures, and wildlife viewing cruises. Alaska is an excellent combination of thrilling experiences, beauty, and the opportunity to relax. You can also view the northern lights from this magnificent place.
There are some top places to visit in Alaska that you can find below. But first, let us take a look at some basic information about Alaska, including the best time to visit Alaska.
Where is Alaska?
Alaska is a state in the western United States located on the northwestern tip of North America. It borders British Columbia and the Yukon Territory in Canada. Alaska was bought from Russia by the United States government in 1867.
How Do You Reach Alaska?
Reaching Alaska is easy. You only need to get on a plane from any corner of the world to reach this beautiful destination. Alternatively, you can also get on a cruise for a more enjoyable experience.
When is the Best Time to Visit Alaska?
You must wonder about the best time of the year to visit Alaska to plan your trip. Don’t worry! You will find everything you need to know here.
With active wildlife, accessible hiking trails, long days, and some of the warmest average temperatures in Alaska, July is the best time to visit Alaska. It has the most ideal conditions to enjoy the best places to visit in Alaska during this best time to visit Alaska.
The summer season, May 10th to September 15th, has temperatures as low as 60-70 degrees Celsius, 16-24 hours of sunshine, blooming foliage and flowers, rushing rivers, and excellent wildlife. It is also the best time to visit Alaska to be able to see whales. Though visiting during this period might be a little expensive due to the high demand to enjoy the best places to visit in Alaska. At the same time, the cheapest time to stay is from early November to mid-December, with Anchorage being the cheapest place to stay.
Either way, a week in Alaska is just the sweet spot for a memorable as you can enjoy most, if not all, of the top places to visit in Alaska. The cruise season also starts from May to September. Smaller ship cruises begin as soon as mid-April.
Places to Visit in Alaska During the Best Time to Visit Alaska
Alaska has gorgeous towns and places like Skagway, Sitka, Valdez, Fairbanks, Homer, Gustavus, Seward, and Ketchikan. These places can give you the most memorable trip. When you build your Alaska itinerary, you can start with the Denali National Park and Preserve.
Denali National Park and Preserve- Visit to Connect With Nature.
It is one of the most famous and popular places in Alaska. It is home to the iconic, towering summit/peak of Denali (also known as Mount McKinley), the tallest mountain in the country.
Denali National Park serves as a nature reserve for all kinds of wildlife. You can spot bears, elk, wolves, and more while strolling along the Savage river, hiking the lush Polychrome pass, or admiring the shimmering Wonder Lake. It is 6 million acres of Alaska’s internal wilderness, making it one of the best places to visit in Alaska to connect with nature truly.
Hiking, whitewater rafting, and backcountry camping are popular ways to explore the national park, but air-conditioned and safe bus tours are also available. Short ranger-led hikes are available there at the Denali Visitation Centre. There are also informative and educational exhibits here.
- Address: Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, United States
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: May to September
- Fun things to do: Climb Denali Peak, sit by the wonderful lake, and witness the wildlife.
- Entrance fee: $15
- Where to stay: Denali Bluffs Hotel
Chena Hot Springs- One of the Best Places to Visit During the Best Time to Visit Alaska
Chena Hot Springs is an autonomous community and hot springs resort. It is great to enjoy a relaxing soak and see the Northern Lights. You can also enjoy traditional dog sledging, which is an Alaskan tradition.
The geothermal field within which the springs are located produces water raging till 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which is slightly cooled before allowing visitors to soak in it. It is one of the top 5 hot springs to visit in America.
It is a natural lake with open-air hot springs, aurora viewing, and ultimate relaxation at the pool house, making it one of the best Alaska places to visit during the Alaska best time to visit.
- Address: Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, USA
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: May to August
- Fun things to do: Take a dip in the hot waters of Chena Hot Springs
- Entrance fee: $13
- Where to stay: Chena Hot Springs Resort
Mendenhall Glacier- Visit this Gorgeous Glacier During the Best Time to Visit Alaska
This beautiful glacier is just a short drive from the town of Juneau. It is a giant glacier that is collapsing or splitting into bordering lakes. There are several ways to experience this glacier. You can take a shuttle ride for a closer look at its beauty or a helicopter ride to appreciate the size and splendor of the glacier.
But if you’re feeling more adventurous and active, you can try and tackle the Mendenhall Glacier West Glacier Trail. It is a very challenging trail but offers ample photo opportunities and magnificent views. Also worth a visit is the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, where you will find exhibits about glaciers and several lookout points.
You can also visit the Mendenhall cave or other smaller snow caves. It is one of the best Alaska places to visit for spotting the mining caves nearby. However, we would like you to stay warned of bears. It is wonderful during the best time of the year to visit Alaska.
- Address: Glacier Spur Rd, Juneau, AK 99801, United States
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: May to October
- Fun things to do: Enjoy the scenic view of the glacier, explore the snow caves
- Entrance fee: $5
- Where to stay: The Best Western Country Lane Inn
White Pass- One of the Most Scenic Places to Visit in Alaska
It is a 19th-century gold rush era mountain pass road and historic route. This pass has a railway with a gorgeous view called The Skagway White Pass Railroad. The White Pass is also called the Dead Horse Trail.
The pass passes through the boundary range of the Coast Mountains on the border of Alaska, USA. The Skagway White Pass Railroad Summit Excursion & Train Tour takes a 2+ hours round trip from Skagway Cruise Terminal. It is an incredible experience during Alaska best time to visit and will contribute greatly to making your trip memorable.
It is a 20-mile train journey to the top of White Pass and can be an entertaining and lovely outing, especially for families. The scenery is picturesque, and the atmosphere is breathtaking. It takes about 2.4 to 2.7 hours by train from start to finish. It is a comfortable train with clean toilets and a water supply and is quite child friendly.
- Address: White Pass, Alaska, United States
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: April to October
- Fun things to do: Take the train ride, enjoy the scenic beauty of the White Pass
- Entrance fee: $54
- Where to stay: Historic Skagway Inn
Kenai Fjords National Park- Find Out Why Is It One of the Best Places to Visit in Alaska
The park maintains the Harding Icefield. It is one of Alaska’s most breathtaking sights. It makes you feel like you’ve traveled back to the Ice Age. Glaciers and ice caps are still present at the sea edge, creating a picturesque and memorable sight. The park offers incredible wildlife, spectacular views, and marine adventures. It was founded in 1980 to protect some of Alaska’s enigmatic wilderness areas.
Half of the park is covered in ice year-round, and deep fjords form where the water valleys are located. These fjords are ideal habitats for many aquatic creatures, making spotting migrating whales very easy.
Both brown and black bears inhabit Kenaihi fjords, but Asian black bears are much more common. The best time for whale watching is from March to October.
Alaska also offers some of the best whale-watching opportunities. Seals, sea otters, fin whales, grey whales, humpback whales, star sea lions, killer whales, minke whales, and walruses can also be seen. You can also see birds swoop in to feed on fish in the water.
Because of the cold weather, many travelers prefer a guided day trip to Kenai Fjords National Park, but lodgings within the park are limited.
If you are without a vehicle, shuttle and taxi services are available between Exit Glacier and Seward. Boat tours offer day trips to fjords, tidal glaciers, and marine life.
- Address: Alaska, United States
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: June to August
- Fun things to do: Enjoy bird-watching, whale-watching, and other spectacular views
- Entrance fee: Nil
- Where to stay: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Valdez- For a Fun Time in the City During the Best Time to Visit Alaska
Valdez is a city in Alaska’s Chugach Census District, near the head of a deep fjord in Prince William Sound. It is the third largest city in Alaska.
It’s a blend of land and sea at its best, with tidal glaciers, rainforests, majestic mountains, and wildlife. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Alaska.
So many majestic animals are found here, including orca whales, humpback whales, otters, sea lions, and birds. Helicopter tours, glacier water kayaking, whale watching, skiing, glacier climbing, exploring ice caves, wildlife viewing, and waterfall viewing are just some of the activities available here. The city is steeped in local history and is home to one of the world’s largest collections of Alaska Native arts and crafts.
- Address: Alaska, United States
- Official website: Click here
- Best time to visit: July to August
- Fun things to do: Take a tour of the city, take a helicopter ride, watch birds and animals, explore ice caves, and watch the mesmerizing waterfalls.
- Entrance fee: Nil
- Where to stay: Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn
Final Words
Your Alaskan experience might be one of the best experiences of your lifetime. These places to visit in Alaska will surely add to your satisfaction. Make sure you visit these places during Alaska best time to visit to avoid any inconvenience. Also, don’t forget all the fun things to do in Alaska that we mentioned.
FAQs
- What is the best time to visit Alaska and see the Northern Lights?
July is the ideal time to visit Alaska. Alaska is one of the best places to see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, from August to April.
- How long should my trip to Alaska be?
Plan for a trip lasting for 8-12 days. It will give you just the right amount of time to see all the picturesque sights of Alaska.
- Is Alaska budget-friendly?
If you plan your trip during the summers, the answer is no. Due to the price hikes, summer isn't the most pocket friendly. However, if you plan your trip in seasons other than summer, you would be able to get more budget-friendly deals
- What is a must-see in Alaska?
You should not miss the Northern Lights, the hot springs, and the treks.
