Are you travelling to Alaska for the first time for an epic Alaska vacation? Do you dream of seeing abundant wildlife in Denali National Park? Or how about cruising the inside passage and seeing the northern lights? Whatever style of Alaska trip you choose, you will be wowed by this country and return with lifetime memories.
But wait a minute, as a tourist travelling to Alaska for the first time, what should you know about the country before you go? What is the best way to visit Alaska? Can you easily see a glacier and go bear viewing?
Read on for all the essential things to know before going to Alaska. Some will certainly surprise you, they did us!
22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR ALASKA TRIP
- 22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR ALASKA TRIP
- 1. ALASKA IS REALLY HUGE
- 2. ALASKA NATIVE CULTURE THRIVES
- 3. PLAN YOUR VISIT AT THE RIGHT TIME OF YEAR
- 4. THERE ARE ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF MAIN ROADS
- 5. THERE IS AN ASTOUNDING VARIETY OF WILDLIFE
- 6. A VACATION TO ALASKA IS EXPENSIVE
- 7. YOU NEED A HEALTHY BUDGET FOR EXCURSIONS
- 8. THERE ARE WAYS TO VISIT ALASKA ON A BUDGET
- 9. ONLY 3 NATIONAL PARKS ARE ACCESSIBLE BY ROAD
- 10. YOU CANNOT DRIVE ALONG DENALI NATIONAL PARK ROAD
- 11. YOU WON'T FIND 5 STAR HOTELS
- 12. YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR TRAIL ETIQUETTE
- 13. SOMETIMES CELL PHONE COVERAGE IS LIMITED
- 14. NORTHERN LIGHTS ARE NOT VISIBLE YEAR-ROUND
- 15. ALASKA HAS AN INTRIGUING HISTORY
- 16. BEER IS A BIG PART OF LIFE FOR ALASKANS
- 17. ALASKA IS A FISHING FANTASY COME TO LIFE
- 18. YOU DON'T HAVE TO EXPLORE ALASKA BY CRUISE
- 19. EVERYONE DRESSES INFORMALLY
- 20. YOU WILL FIND ALASKANS FRIENDLY, HELPFUL & PRACTICAL
- 21. ALASKA HAS A LOT OF MOSQUITOES
- 22. YOU WILL DEFINITELY WANT TO VISIT ALASKA AGAIN
1. ALASKA IS REALLY HUGE
The name Alaska comes from the Aleut word Alyeska, meaning “The Great Land”. The country is the largest state in the United States, covering 663,300 square miles and has many enviable statistics including:
- 46,600 miles of shoreline
- 100,000 glaciers
- 14 mountain ranges
- 3,000,000 lakes
- 2,600 islands
When you are planning a trip to Alaska, take into account driving distances, flight times and train times. It takes a long time to get anywhere, however the roads are incredible scenic.
Driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 6.5 hours | to Seward 2.5 miles | to Homer 4 hours 15 minutes.
2. ALASKA NATIVE CULTURE THRIVES
There are over 20 distinct cultures and 300 different dialects across Alaska’s five regions. The intrinsic relationship to nature, mountains, forests and oceans is still celebrated in many ways.
It is both interesting and intriguing to explore Alaska’s culture during your trip and learn more about the history of Alaska. You can learn about their lifestyles in places such as Alaska Native Heritage Center and Anchorage Museum.
Heritage can be seen around you in art, totem poles, crafts and photography. Young Alaskans keep the connection to heritage strong through shared stories and honoring the past.
3. PLAN YOUR VISIT AT THE RIGHT TIME OF YEAR
You can certainly go to Alaska anytime of the year, but you want to make the most of your time and that means visiting during summer.
Four different seasons bring with them the chance of different adventures and activities. Peak season is summer, bringing with it long days of sunlight and warmer temperatures. May through September are ideal months for hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and outdoor activities.
This is also the main tourist season when tours are in full flow, museums are open and accommodation costs are high. You also get to experience the midnight sun, so you get to pack more fun into your days!
The other seasons bring different options for visitors including:
- Fall: September (shoulder season) brings lower rates but some tours stop running early in the month.
- Winter: October to March brings dark skies and the northern lights plus dog mushing, skiing and winter activities.
- Spring: April to early-May (shoulder season) signals start of Alaskan vacations on cruise lines, wildlife migration time and early season discounts.
If you are considering Alaska train tours or Alaska land tours, summer is prime time to book. And if you are dreaming of an Alaska RV trip, we definitely recommend visiting in the summer months from early June to make the most of you time.
4. THERE ARE ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF MAIN ROADS
If you take a look at a map of Alaska one of the things you’ll notice is the small number of main road routes around the state. You may think the Final Frontier doesn’t have properly constructed roads but you would be wrong.
Main highways are paved and serviced and in my view the best trip to Alaska is hitting the open road and exploring under your own speed either by car or RV.
The main routes are via Parks Hwy, Richardson Hwy, Glenn Hwy, Steward Hwy, Sterling Hwy and Alaska Hwy. Some secondary roads are not covered under many vehicle and RV rentals such as McCarthy Road.
5. THERE IS AN ASTOUNDING VARIETY OF WILDLIFE
Alaska is home to an astounding variety of wildlife making it a magical place for wildlife lovers. Whether land or marine animals, each sighting in its own habitat is a wonder and what brings many visitors to the State.
Dall sheep sit atop high cliffs, bald eagles soar through the skies and bears forage in forested areas. Wildlife cruises are a great opportunity to see humpback whales, otters, sealions, puffins and orcas.
You can meet animals up close at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Alaska SeaLife Center, Palmer Reindeer Farm and Alaska Zoo.
Don’t forget the smaller animals such as ground squirrel and snowshoe hare. Wildlife is just that, animals living in the wild, so don’t expect them to all leap out in front of you for a personal viewing.
While wildlife viewing may be top of your wish list, remember creatures have their own schedules, so you’re never guaranteed to see them.
6. A VACATION TO ALASKA IS EXPENSIVE
A high percentage of consumables have to be flown or shipped into Alaska, raising prices. Main tourist season is only from May to September and businesses have to make their main income during this time.
Alaska is huge and if you want to see a lot you have to travel around, not staying in one place. Some of the most amazing sights can only be accessed by plane or boat. Unique experiences such as dog sledding, ice climbing and river rafting require expert guides and gear.
Once in a lifetime tours such as flightseeing trips and bear viewing have a hefty price tag.
We found food prices (not wine though) much higher than back home and our shopping bills were very high. Gas prices were high and we spent £1,000 on fuel as we covered a lot of miles.
Don’t worry though, an Alaska RV trip is incredible and all our Alaska tours worth every penny!
7. YOU NEED A HEALTHY BUDGET FOR EXCURSIONS
It is the wilderness and wide open spaces that make Alaska so unique and special. There are endless opportunities for adventure and outdoor activities. While these may transport you from the ordinary to the spectacular, they also come with a price tag.
These side trips and day tours can really add something special to your trip, tick bucket lists and make unforgettable memories. As a result your budget has to factor in these experiences. We doubt you’ll regret including any of them, but they will seriously eat up your budget.
Here are some examples to give you an idea:
- Glacier & Wildlife Cruise Day Tour – $225pp
- Bear Viewing – $650 for 8 hour tour
- Fly-In Wilderness Lodge – $350 to $1950 per night
- Helicopter Flight – 2hr $400pp
- Full Day Fishing Charter – $350pp
- Coastal Classic Train Rtn Anchorage to Seward – $200pp
8. THERE ARE WAYS TO VISIT ALASKA ON A BUDGET
Okay, you can’t get around the fact that Alaska is an expensive destination for a trip. However, it is perfectly possible to visit Alaska on a budget with some money-saving tips:
- Rent an RV and experience an epic road trip. You can cook your own meals and save on expensive lodging and train fares.
- You can spot wildlife just by wandering along the dockside and harbor areas such as Valdez and Seward. We spotted bald eagles, harbor seals and sea otters.
- Hike trails for stunning scenery and visit roadside glaciers.
- Plan your visit in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, when savings can be made on accommodation and tours.
9. ONLY 3 NATIONAL PARKS ARE ACCESSIBLE BY ROAD
Alaska’s National Parks offer wide open spaces, wild landscapes and 333 million acres of diverse exploration. So which parks should you see? Well there are eight national parks to choose from afterall.
Whilst you can certainly explore all eight parks, only three national parks are accessible by road. These are Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park and the largest one, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
The other five require a boat or air taxi. And a little known fact is Katmai and Lake Clark are only accessible by plane. So forward planning is definitely required and a large budget!
10. YOU CANNOT DRIVE ALONG DENALI NATIONAL PARK ROAD
Denali is on most visitors bucket list when visiting Alaska, with images of self-driving through the park spotting an abundance of wildlife. Sorry to disappoint you but this isn’t strictly reality.
Denali Park Road is the only road in the park and runs for 92 miles. Only the first 15 miles of it are paved stretching from the park entrance to Savage River. This is the only portion open during summer for public vehicles to drive.
Travel beyond mile 15 is limited to buses, and you can either take a narrated tour bus or non-narrated transit bus(cheaper).
Another misconception is that you will have fantastic views of Mt. Denali, with bears roaming the road in front of you. Okay, forget the glossy tourism brochures, here are the facts:
- You are NOT guaranteed to see any wildlife, let alone close up.
- Most visitors will see moose, caribou and Dall sheep at a distance. If you are lucky maybe a bear.
- Only 30% of visitors see Mt. Denali.
- The longer you stay and the further into the park your accommodation is, the higher your chances of seeing bears and Mt. Denali in all its glory.
- Denali has its own weather system and is often completely obscured by cloud. This is the view we had!
- Due to a landslide Denali Park Road is closed at Mile 43
11. YOU WON’T FIND 5 STAR HOTELS
You know those luxury resorts and 5 star hotels you find in destinations such as Dubai and the Maldives? Do not expect to find them in Alaska! While you will find many nice accommodations, they do not compare with others you may have stayed at.
However, a night’s stay is also not cheap, as the tourism season is very short and chains having to recoup their money within the summer months.
The rooms and service at some hotels don’t live up to what you’d expect from the price.
Just remember that you have come for the fantastic scenery and wildlife and not to be holed up in a hotel room.
12. YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR TRAIL ETIQUETTE
Hikers will be spoiled for choose in Alaska as there is no shortage of great trails to suit every ability. However before tackling trails such as Exit Glacier Trail, Root Glacier Trail and Harding Icefield Trail, there are some “rules of the trails” to consider:
- Always give hikers walking uphill the right of way. Let’s face it, you will be working and breathing harder!
- Stopping for a photo or break? Don’t just stand in the middle of the trail but move to the side so others walkers can pass by.
- Pack out what you pack in. Common sense but basically take all your rubbish away with you.
- Don’t walk off trail as this leads to erosion and delicate fauna can be damaged.
With regards safety around bears and moose, try to make noise when you are walking and carry bear spray, bells or a whistle. Basically, the animals are not interested in meeting you and just want forewarning of your approach and their space.
13. SOMETIMES CELL PHONE COVERAGE IS LIMITED
While cell coverage and Wi-Fi are good in urban areas, head to more remote locations and you probably won’t be as lucky. So what do you do?
Don’t rely on GPS-dependent cell feeds, but arm yourself with a physical map. Better still, download some maps on Google so you have them ready.
If hiking a trail, print trail maps beforehand or pick up brochures from visitor centers.
Alaska maybe remote but the majority of places along typical tourist routes will be fine for coverage. Just remember if you are heading off-track into national forests you will have to embrace nature minus phone coverage which isn’t exactly a hardship.
14. NORTHERN LIGHTS ARE NOT VISIBLE YEAR-ROUND
While the northern lights are up there year-round, you do need dark nights to see them. Fairbanks’ location is ideal for viewing aurora activity with low precipitation resulting in consistently clear nights and low population.
However, summer is midnight sun season, with the sun shining up to 24 hours a day with no chance of seeing this amazing phenomenon. If you plan on chasing the lights in Fairbanks, you have to wait until September to really be in with a chance.
However, you do have until mid-April to either take a tour or head out on your own for aurora viewing, so the longer you stick around, the better your chances.
15. ALASKA HAS AN INTRIGUING HISTORY
Did you know that the United States purchased Alaska back in 1867 from Russia for $7.2 million in gold? Nope, we didn’t either. And that Alaska was only admitted as the 49th State in 1959?
Other notable events include:
- 1897 – Start of the Klondike Gold Rush
- 1923 – Alaska Railroad completed
- 1964 – Good Friday Earthquake (9.2 magnitude)
- 1968 – Oil was discovered in Prudhoe Bay
- 1973 – The first Iditarod Sled Dog Race
- 1974 – Construction began on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System
- 1989 – A tanker called the Exxon Valdez runs aground spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil along 1,500 miles of coastline and causing devastation to Prince William Sound.
As you travel around Alaska you will see the pipeline (above ground sections), evidence of the earthquake and mining towns such as Kennecott, McCarthy and Fairbanks.
One of the fun things to do in Fairbanks is take a tour to Gold Dredge 8 and have a try at gold panning!
16. BEER IS A BIG PART OF LIFE FOR ALASKANS
It may come as a surprise but Alaska has a booming craft beer scene, with breweries found in many communities, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Haines, Homer, Juneau, Kodiak, Palmer, Sitka, Skagway, Soldotna, Talkeetna, and Wasilla to name a few.
With a choice of world-class craft breweries and local gin and vodka distilleries tp choose from, it’s very easy to raise your glass! You can even take a tour and go behind the scenes.
For a detailed list of all Alaskan breweries check out this link from the U.S. Brewery Guide.
17. ALASKA IS A FISHING FANTASY COME TO LIFE
Alaska offers some of the most spectacular freshwater, saltwater, and fly fishing in the world. So its little wonder that many vacations in Alaska will include hooking a big one.
The main challenge is deciding where to fish with so many opportunities for fishing spots. It doesn’t take long before you realise that angling and Alaska go hand in hand whatever the age group.
With more than 627 species inhabiting Alaska’s waters and over 3 million lakes to cast a line at, seafood is on every menu. Fishing charters offer day tours to hook salmon, halibut, trout, Dolly Varden and arctic char.
Even if you are not an angler, its fun to go down to the harbor and watch a catch come in. Seeing the delight on people’s faces as their catch is weighed is infectious. Tasting the fresh seafood is even more enjoyable!
18. YOU DON’T HAVE TO EXPLORE ALASKA BY CRUISE
Alaska tourism depicts Alaska as a cruiser’s paradise, and small ship cruises and the like are certainly popular. Although Alaska is very big, it is definitely not intimidating in any way.
Why not consider a visit to Alaska by road? You could rent an RV (as we did) and set course on your own custom road trip. With 31,000 miles of open road to explore, countless scenic views to be wowed by, and all at your own pace.
Imagine yourself winding through majestic snow-capped mountain scenery, with a chance of spotting wildlife as you drive by. Exploring wild landscapes, quirky end-of-the-road-towns and stopping when you want.
Alaska train tours are a great way to enjoy the scenery without driving yourself. Alaska Railroad trains are an iconic sight traversing 470 miles of track from Seward to Fairbanks and towns in between.
With only 18% of Alaska’s communities accessible by the road system, regular air service is both popular and a necessity.
Whether its a flight to Katmai National Park to see bears, a winter northern lights viewing tour or a flightseeing tour over mountain peaks, travelling by air is quicker and saves you time.
19. EVERYONE DRESSES INFORMALLY
When you visit Alaska you will notice that locals tend to dress pretty casually. That doesn’t mean that fashion is out the window. Casual can still be stylish.
Considering Alaska’s seasonal weather, clothing has to be functional, practical and be adequate for purpose. Layers work best for most activities and rainproof outerwear is a good addition to your Alaska packing list.
Unless you are dressing for dinner on a cruise, pretty much your normal everyday clothing is suffice. If you plan on hiking, then sports tops, fleeces and walking shoes or boots are ideal.
Even when you are eating out, casual wear is all that’s required. Be sure to look out for locally designed t-shirts, qiviut hats, pretty jewelry and salmon-skin wallets amongst other hometown favourites.
20. YOU WILL FIND ALASKANS FRIENDLY, HELPFUL & PRACTICAL
In our experience, we certainly found locals to be some of the friendliest people we have encounters on our travels. Maybe its on account of the harsh weather and the way they embrace their surroundings.
They are pragmatic, down to earth and knowledgeable about the beautiful landscapes around them. Many we spoke to had visited once and never left, making the state home for 30 plus years.
Locals were eager to say hello and interested to know where we had travelled from and where we were exploring within Alaska. Ask them questions, pick their brains and just enjoy friendly banter over a coffee or beer. Your trip will feel all the richer.
21. ALASKA HAS A LOT OF MOSQUITOES
With 35 species of mosquito all ready to nibble you and be a pain, you have to be savvy in your approach to them. They are especially active at dawn and twilight, and as most of your time will be spent outdoors, you will be fortunate not to encounter them.
And I can personally attest that while the repellant I used in Scotland(UK) all but made the mosquitoes leave me alone, the same repellant had ZERO effect here.
However, the good news for the Alaska tourist is that they only tend to be an issue for from the second week in June to the last week in July. Or so we were told by some locals.
The best tips to tackle them are to use repellent, and wear loose cut long sleeve shirts and trousers. Good Luck!
22. YOU WILL DEFINITELY WANT TO VISIT ALASKA AGAIN
Alaskan vacations for many people are bucket-list and once-in-a-lifetime trips. However if you expect to see everything on your first visit you will be disappointed.
While you can certainly get a pretty good introduction to the state and tick off a lot of places, I guarantee you will come away wanting to see more.
We stayed 4 weeks in Alaska and travel fairly quickly so we can pack in as many sights and experiences as possible. Are we planning a second trip? You bet we are! Alaska is stunning, wild, diverse, unforgettable and beautiful.
I always feel that a second trip to a destination is more intuitive, organized and productive. You already feel like you know the place on some level and can plan a further trip more easily.
With so many trip ideas and different ways of visiting Alaska you have great variety for getting around and exploring. Why not combine an Alaska cruise with a land tour? Done a cruise? Well why not plan an Alaska road trip? The possibilities are endless.
Do you feel more prepared for your Alaska visit? It certainly pays to know about a country before you visit. If you have any questions or personal tips, please leave in the comments below.
Be sure to check our Alaska Travel Guide where we list all our posts for Alaska.
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