If you want to hike, fish, or explore inland, June and July are the best months to travel to Alaska
due to warmer temperatures and long daylight hours. But if you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights or enjoy a quieter vacation away from the crowds, aim for the shoulder seasons: May or September. Home to moose, grizzly bears, and the Aurora Borealis, Alaska is sometimes known as America’s “Last Frontier.” It’s also a one-of-a-kind cultural destination, with a rich Indigenous history and present. Planning a trip to Alaska can get tricky, though, because the state’s remote location and extreme weather make each month different from the last.
When’s the best time to travel to Alaska? Car insurance comparison super app Jerry
has the answers. Whether you’re hoping to spy on the grizzlies, catch salmon, or just cross the Northern Lights off your bucket list, we’ve got the insider information on all the best times to visit Alaska. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
The best times of year to travel to Alaska
In general, Alaska’s travel seasons can be broken into four categories:
Summer (June-August): The most popular season, summer in Alaska is when the vast interior wilderness comes alive. If you want to experience Alaska’s peak natural beauty, these are the months to hit.
Fall (September): The end of the tourist season means low light, low temperatures, and low rates. Fall also marks the first opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Winter (October-April): Winter is the longest and quietest season of the year—and, of course, the coldest and darkest. If seeing the Northern Lights is your first priority, though, you can catch the peak in March.
Spring (May): If you visit Alaska in May, you’ll get to see the beginnings of wildlife activity as the land starts to thaw. You’ll also get some of the best deals on travel and accommodations, and a sense of privacy that the summer tourist season can’t offer.
Fall and spring are known in the tourism industry as shoulder months—that perfect moment between the hectic peak season and the desolation of winter. If the trade-off of fewer activities and cooler temperatures is worth the peace and savings for you, skip the summer and aim for these months.
Best time to travel to Anchorage
Where to stay: Alyeska Resort (rooms start at $225/night)
What to do: Skiing, Northern Lights viewing
, and the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race make Anchorage Alaska’s ideal winter playground. Best time to travel to Denali
Where to stay: Aurora Denali Lodge (rooms starting at $209/night)
What to do: From tour buses and flightseeing
trips to off-trail hiking, Denali National Park & Preserve has something to offer any outdoor enthusiast! Best time to travel to Fairbanks
Where to stay: Wedgewood Resort (rooms starting at $216/night)
What to do: Visit the Pioneer Park
historic village and check out local events at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. If you’re staying at the Wedgewood Resort, don’t miss the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
! Best time to travel to Juneau
Where to stay: Best Western Grandma’s Feather Bed (rooms starting at $220/night)
What to do: Explore the glaciers, lakes, and rivers of the Tongass National Forest
, a temperate rainforest that surrounds Juneau. If you’re there in April, check out the annual Alaska Folk Festival
! Pro Tip Be sure to budget transportation into your travel plans. Getting around Alaska is one of the biggest logistical challenges of a vacation in this northern wonderland.
Find the best month for your visit to Alaska
In the end, the best time to travel to Alaska depends on what you want to do there. If you’re dreaming of hiking and camping in Denali, a December discount won’t do you much good—and if your heart is set on seeing the Northern Lights, you should avoid the peak summer season, when they aren’t visible.
Ready to pinpoint the perfect month for your Alaskan adventure? The table below breaks down the best months to visit based on your planned activities.
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| | Salmon spawn in July, making it the best month of the summer fishing season. |
| | You’ll see incredible wildlife in Alaska in any month of the year, but the spring and early summer are ideal times to see lots of baby animals. |
| | July is the peak month for humpback whales in Alaska, but you’ll see more orcas in August. |
| | Bears come out of hibernation in the summer. Your best chance of seeing a grizzly is when salmon are spawning in July or August. |
| | Summer temperatures hit their peak, and all the interior parks will be open. |
| | Early summer is the best time to combine an Alaskan cruise with inland touring. |
| | September and April are the bookends of Aurora Borealis’s time in the Alaskan night sky, and the peak activity is at the start and end of the season. |
Dog sledding and winter sports | | To experience true Alaskan winter, visit in February (but you can get closer to spring temperatures in March!) |
MORE: Best road trips in Alaska
The cheapest times to travel to Alaska
If you’re trying to explore the Last Frontier without breaking the bank, you’ll find the cheapest rates on travel, lodging, and other expenses during the winter, especially from November to February. If eerie darkness and extreme cold are part of Alaska’s charm for you, travel during these months for maximum savings.
If, on the other hand, you want to get closer to the summer experience without paying summer prices, plan your trip for May or September. Even if you’re able to book travel for early June or late August, you may save money compared to the high season in July.
Pro Tip If you’re looking for the off-season experience with the least extreme temperatures, book a trip to Juneau, Alaska’s southernmost major city.
How to find the best rental car insurance for your Alaskan adventure
For any vacation, it’s important to start out with a great car insurance policy—but unless you happen to live close to the border or love 37-hour road trips, you probably won’t be driving your own car in Alaska.
So, do you need that rental car insurance
the rental company pushes you to buy? While a rental company’s collision damage waiver can give you some pretty heavy-duty coverage, your regular car insurance policy may actually cover any car you drive in Alaska—even if it’s a rental! Check the terms of your policy before you leave, and use the Jerry app to save money while you’re at it! Just by downloading the app and answering a few easy questions, you could save an average of $887 a year on car insurance within as little as 45 seconds.
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