The first comes to mind when mentioning Alaska is Snow and Glaciers, but many do not know that it is more than that. Alaska is known to be the wilderness Paradise, and any wildlife photographer can call it home.
Alaska is filled with wilderness and beautiful sceneries that can take your breath away. It is known for its national parks where this article will cover the best time to visit Alaska National Parks.
However, to experience Alaska to the fullest, you need to visit at the right time and the right place. In this guided article, we got you covered.
It is meant to make your visit more exciting and knowledgeable. Therefore, before you visit this amazing paradise, you should read this article regarding why summer is the best time to visit Alaska?
What Is The Best Time To Visit Alaska?
The best time to visit Alaska is depend on your preference and the activities that you choose to do. Many prefer to visit during the summer months because it is the driest and warmest, so you can interact with wildlife and enjoy nature. However, if you want to ski and enjoy the snow, summer may not be your best pick.
The Best Time To Visit Alaska In The Summer Season:
The Summer months in Alaska are somewhere in between mid May to mid September. It is the shortest season of all seasons, and the best season of them all. During this time, the weather is the warmest, which makes it possible to enjoy some outdoor activates.
You might be wondering why the summer is the best season to visit Alaska. Keep on reading. We are just getting started.
The Days in summer are long with an average temperature of 70 °F. However, it can reach 40 °F during the night. The day can last up to 14 to 17 hours. Therefore, more daylight means more fun.
What To Wear When Visiting Alaska For The Summer?
You can wear your summer clothes because the summer in Alaska is pleasantly warm, but be aware that weather is unpredictable. It is a good idea to brings some layers to cover up because the weather might change.
1. See Glaciers:
It is hard to see glaciers during winter because of the excessive snow, and you may not be able to access them. However, you can easily spot them during summer. There are many available options that allow you to see glaciers in Alaska, such hiking or kayaking. In some areas, driving is accessible during summer, so you can totally drive around and snap some mesmerizing pictures.
As a matter of fact, some glaciers have some cave on them that you can explore, but be careful, it could be dangerous. Book a tour or make sure to have some inside knowledge about glacier travel. The best spots are at Matanuska Glacier and Mendenhall glacier.
I would recommend you to visit Glacier Bay National Park. It is a marine park that designated a UNESCO world heritage site. It also the home to Huna Tlingit tribes and amazing sightseeing. Wrangle St Elisat National Park is another best spot to see Glacier.
2. Animal Watching At Denali National Park:
Denali National Park is your best spot to watch animals roaming around and bring home some amazing memories. You may not have the opportunity to do it during winter because it can be cold and wet. Here is what animals you would expect to see: moose, Caribou, doll sheep, wolves, and grizzly bears.
I would recommend you to visit Wonder Lake campground, and hike the McKinley Bar Trail. It would lead you from the lake to the McKinley River. Not to forget the Reflection Pond. It is mesmerizing to the eyes, so get your camera ready.
You should stay in Denali Cabins. It is located inside the national park and only 8 miles for the main entrance. Therefore, you will be close to nature, and you can observe animal at the comfort of your home.
3. Whale Watching:
Alaska whale peak season is from May to September, and it is the time of year the boats tours are open. If you ever wish to enjoy whale watching, you should definitely book the tour for Juneau. It is one of the most popular tours where you can watch whales at the comfort of your boat.
Another amazing spot is just outside of Whittier island, Prince William Sound located. You can watch whales there. It is tour where you can book with Classic Discovery Voyage.
4. See The Water Falls:
Thanks to the daylight that last about 17 hours, the snow melt, which creates beautiful waterfalls that are pleasant to the eyes. You do not want to miss Pitchfork Falls in Skagway. It is the tallest waterfall in the world. It can reach 2,100 feet in height.
If you are visiting Juneau for whale watching, you can also visit Nugget Falls. To reach the waterfall, you can hike the Tongass Forest trails. The waterfalls drop into Mendenhall Lake, so you should definitely pay it a visit to enjoy its abundant activities.
Why Summer Is The Best Time To Visit Alaska National Parks:
Alaska is filled with national parks, such as Denali National Park and Preserve, Lake Clark National Park and preserve, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and Kenai Fjords National Park.
Of course, there are more than that, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. However, what makes summer is the best time to visit Alaska National Parks.
The summer between May to September has an optimal weather for you to explore the national parks. The temperature lays between 60s to low 70s, and you will experience 16–24 hours of daylight.
On the plus side, during the summer, the leaves and flowers are in bloom, the existence of rushing rivers, and the best wildlife viewing.
To clarify things up, there is no such a thing as the best month to visit Alaska national park and only the best seasons, which are known as the shoulder seasons: (May through early summer (early June) and August through the middle of September.
Conclusion:
This article only covers a few things of what Alaska has to offer. It is only the tip of the iceberg. There is more to see and discover, but we gave you the best things to do in summer.
Hopefully, you can see now why summer is the best time to visit Alaska. If you are not convinced yet, please drop a comment below on when is the best time to tour Alaska.
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