Planning Your Alaska Adventure

So You’re Planning to Visit Alaska!

Congratulations, you’re in for a real adventure. The allure of a trip to Alaska never fades, and if you get the chance to come, I highly recommend making it happen.

That said, planning can feel overwhelming. Alaska is massive, with regions that feel like separate worlds. I put together this guide to help you figure out what to see, how to get around, and what to pack for your trip.

Step 1: Decide Which Areas You Want to See

Alaska is huge. For perspective: you could fit Texas into Alaska more than twice. Driving between destinations often takes hours, so it helps to choose a few key areas for your first trip instead of trying to see it all.

Most visitors fly into Anchorage or Juneau. This guide assumes Anchorage as your starting point.

Areas & Approximate Distance from Anchorage:

• Denali National Park – 4–5 hr drive

• Seward & Kenai Fjords National Park – 2.5–3.5 hr drive

• Homer – 4–5 hr drive

• Valdez – 5–6 hr drive

• Wrangell–St. Elias National Park – 4.5–5.5 hr drive

• Fairbanks – 6–7 hr drive or 1 hr flight

• Katmai National Park – flight only (from Anchorage or other hubs)

• Lake Clark National Park – flight from Homer or Kenai

• Cordova – 45 min flight

To view a map with all these locations you can navigate to this google map.

Step 2: Choose Your Activities

Alaska’s wildness is its charm — but that also means many of the best places are accessible only by boat, plane, or helicopter. Guided trips can feel pricey, but they’re often worth it. Still, there are plenty of free hikes and low-cost activities if you’re on a budget.

Paid Experiences (Things We Tried & Loved)

Prices listed as of December 2023

• Helicopter Tour – ~$375/hr, options in Valdez & elsewhere

  • Helicopter Tours, Private Charters, and Utility Services | VSHelicopters

• Fishing Charter (Homer) – ~$600/day, ship your catch home in a cooler

  • Big Dan's Fishing | Fishing Charter in Homer Alaska| Home

• Bear Viewing (Lake Clark or Katmai) – ~$885/person (worth it even if you only see one bear!)

  • Alaska Bear Viewing Tours in Katmai National Park

• Ice Climbing (Exit Glacier, Seward) – ~$219/person

  • Exit Glacier Guides

• Denali Transit Bus – $35 + $15 park entrance fee

  • Bus Tours - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

• Kenai Fjords Cruise (Seward) – $199/ 6hr trip

  • Alaska Cruise Tours of Kenai Fjords | Major Marine Tours

• Portage Glacier Cruise – $45/1hr trip

  • https://www.graylinealaska.com/portage-glacier-cruises/

• Dog Sledding (Winter only) – ~$169

  • Alaska Mushing School | Go Dog Sledding Near Anchorage, Alaska

• Chena Hot Springs (Fairbanks) – entry included with hotel stay

  • Pool House - Chena Hot Springs Resort

Free/Low-Cost Activities

• Hatcher Pass (drive or hike)

• Rabbit Lake hike

• Byron Glacier hike

• Ice skating at Potter Marsh (Nov–Dec)

• Slaughter Ridge hike

• Eklutna Lake hike

• Eagle River Nature Center trails

• Alaska Native Heritage Center (Winter admission ~$5)

  • Alaska Native Heritage Center

• Anchorage Museum (free first Fridays 6–9pm)

  • Anchorage Museum 

Still on My List to Try

• Guided packrafting

• Kayaking

• Snow-machining (winter) 

Step 3: Pick the Right Season

Alaska changes dramatically by season — and your experience will depend a lot on when you come.

• Summer (June–Aug): Long daylight hours, warmest temps, best for hiking, fishing, wildlife, and glaciers.

• Fall (Sept–Oct): Crisp air, fall colors, northern lights begin to appear.

• Winter (Nov–March): Aurora season, dog sledding, skiing, ice skating. Very limited daylight.

• Spring (April–May): Shoulder season; wildlife waking up, fewer tourists, but some activities still closed.

If your goal is to see the Northern Lights, avoid mid-summer — it’s too bright. Winter is your best bet.

Step 4: Pack Smart

Weather here can change quickly — sometimes in the same hour. Layers are key.

Essentials:

• 🥾 Hiking boots + waterproof shoes or rain boots

• 🧥 Rain jacket

• 👖 Rain pants

• 🧣 Warm layers (fleece, down jacket)

• 👕 Base layers/long underwear

• 🧢 Hat(s) – beanie + sunhat

• 🧤 Gloves

• ☀️ Lighter clothes for sunny 60° days

• 🧴 Sunscreen

• 🦟 Mosquito gear – head net, light long sleeves/pants

• 💧 Water bottle

• 👗 Something nice for going out

Activity-Specific Gear: camping gear, ice skates, packrafting gear, etc.

Step 5: Food & Culture Extras

• Shopping: Alaska Fur Exchange (for unique souvenirs)

• Food:  The 26 Essential Restaurants in Anchorage

• Music/Festivals: Check local calendars — Alaska’s summer music scene is surprisingly lively.

Final Tip

Don’t try to “do it all” on one trip. Pick one or two regions and soak them in. That way, you’ll leave wanting to come back — and Alaska will always be here waiting.

Day Light: 

Alaska Vacations & Travel Advice from Trusted Alaskans | ALASKA.ORG