Alaska is a relatively empty state. Its population doesn’t even reach 750,000 people, most of its land doesn’t have roads, and flights are almost the most common method of transportation for many.
But thanks to tourism, the number swells by almost 3 million people each year as visitors flock to cruise ships, national parks, and far-reaching majestic landscapes in search of "the wild," wildlife, and new horizons. I’ve been to Alaska three times in the past four years, totaling more than a month in the state. I’ve gotten closer to brown bears than some of my neighbors in Seattle; I’ve watched the northern lights in -25F bone-chilling cold and put 1,500 miles on our vehicles over our 21-day road trip in 2021.
These experiences have shown me one thing. Alaska is impressive. It’s immense. And it’s still the "Last Frontier."
While I’ll never claim to be an Alaskan expert, I do believe my experiences can help shape your next trip and make it the best it can be. So, what should you know before you head out to Alaska? Hopefully, some of my advice will make it easier for you to manage your expectations and enjoy the trip.
1. Bear Watching is Not Cheap
The most unique, captivating, and immersive experience you can have in Alaska is also coincidentally the priciest. Most bear-watching trips start out at between $1,000 and $1,500 per person for a day trip and overnight stays at bear lodges can be even more expensive.
But if you have a goal of seeing brown bears up close and in the wild, nothing compares to this experience. I spent five days in Lake Clark and Katmai National Park photographing bears, and it’s hands down the best trip I’ve ever done.
At times, our guided group had 12 bears within eyesight, all eating salmon, while we sat less than 10 yards away.
2. Young and Energetic? Ditch the Cruise
66% of the 2.7 million people who visited Alaska during the summer of 2024 did so via a cruise ship. I have nothing against cruises, but I don’t believe they’re the best way to see Alaska, especially for young individuals.
In 2021, over the course of 22 days, we drove all over that state, seeing the Kenai Peninsula, Denali National Park, wild animals off dirt roads where we didn’t know a soul, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, and all the way down to Valdez.
Having the opportunity to see what authentic Alaska feels like is unparalleled. Being on a cruise ship may let you see stunning coastlines and glaciers, but you don’t experience Alaska.
The only way to truly see Alaska is to realize that your drive from one point to another will take all day, or you might not have cell service for hours. But you get to be out hiking at 11 p.m., knowing it won’t fully get dark that evening.
If you’re up for a true adventure, fly to Alaska with your camping gear, rent a car, and have the best trip of your life!
3. Go at Least for Nine Days
It takes a decent amount of effort and time to visit Alaska. You might as well stay awhile!
Furthermore, the state is bigger than you can imagine. This means if you want to see multiple places across the state, you may have a day where you’re simply driving for the entirety of it. For example, going from Anchorage to Denali is a 4.5-hour drive. But you’ll also want to stop and see some sights along the way, maybe even check out Talkeetna.
Thankfully, during summer months, there is plenty of daylight past 11 p.m., so you’ll have time to explore if you can stay awake!
4. Summer Tourism Starts Memorial Day Weekend
Sure, people visit Alaska at all times of the year, but the state doesn’t really open up until Memorial Day weekend. I remember driving around in mid-May 2021, and campgrounds were still closed, restaurants hadn’t fully opened, and tours weren’t running at full capacity yet.
There is a benefit to having fewer crowds in Alaska, but if you want as many options as possible, wait until June to visit.
5. Northern Lights Are Visible September Through Mid-April
If you’re keen on seeing the northern lights but don’t want to experience the dead of winter, visiting Alaska in mid-September or the end of March is a good option.
Now, I might be crazy to suggest that part of the experience is sub-freezing conditions (or even sub-zero).
However, if you aim to see the Northern Lights, circle Fairbanks, and you’ll have the best shot at seeing them. They say if you stay four nights, you’ll have a 90% chance of experiencing the aurora. I saw them three times when I was there, with the final night being incredibly vibrant and mesmerizing.
Exploring Alaska is genuinely one of my favorite places to be, and if you find yourself up there, with the other 3M tourists who have the Last Frontier on their bucket list, I have no doubt you will feel the same!
