Alaska is a beautiful state to visit but becomes exceptionally busy during peak summer season. Summer season starts mid to late May (before Memorial Day) and lasts through mid September. Because of its intense weather, Alaska operates on only 2 seasons when it comes to travel. Winter and Summer. Depending on where you plan to visit Alaska you may find that there’s limited options for what is open outside of the main summer season, but that shouldn’t deter you from visiting Alaska in the shoulder season.
Top 3 reasons to visit Alaska in the shoulder season
- There are fewer tourists at this time
- This means you’ll have less crowded attractions, tours and restaurants while you visit.
- Prices are cheaper
- You can find some good flight deals when looking early. My flight from Seattle to Fairbanks (with return via Anchorage) was around $340
- With fewer people there are more options available for accommodations and rental cars.
- Alaska is NOT cheap. Because it is SO far from the mainland US, and any major city in Canada, everything is either shipped up via boat or flown in, much like Hawaii. Even off season hotels were very expensive in downtown Anchorage. I stayed at an Airbnb 1 mile from downtown for almost half the price. Keep that in mind when planning your trip.
- You’ll have a (more) normal amount of sunshine than in summer or winter.
What to expect when you visit Alaska in the shoulder season
Weather & Daylight
Alaska is known for extremes. Extreme landscapes, extreme weather and extreme sunlight (or lack there of in the winter). During the summer, Alaska can have nearly 24 hours of sunlight, or 24 hours of darkness in the winter. Visiting Alaska in the shoulder season provides a little more balance which is helpful for those not used to living in that environment.
- Fairbanks can have between 15-17 hours of sunlight in April vs. 11-13 hours in September
It’s impossible to know how the weather will play out when you visit Alaska in the shoulder season. It might be a beautiful 65 degree sunny day, or it could be 38 degrees and snowing in May. (This happened while in Anchorage, but the local residents assured me this was highly unusual).
From my personal experience, the weather in late spring was wonderful (minus the snow day). For the 9 days I visited the state it was typically in the high 40s to low 50s which was plenty comfortable especially once you are moving around. Plan to bring some layers and a warm hat when on coastal towns, and a waterproof jacket *just in case* you encounter precipitation or to help with any wind.
Animal sightings
Most people think of summer when thinking of wildlife sightings in Alaska, but there are plenty of animals to see during the shoulder season as well. In the late spring many animals are starting to emerge from the cold depths of winter and can be seen more frequently.
Bears usually aren’t mobilizing from hibernation until late spring, but are still very active into the early fall. If you’re a fan of Fat Bear Week (and if you’re not, you should be) you’ll know that this doesn’t happen until mid-October once the bears have met peak plumpness. There are a number of bear viewing tours available throughout southern Alaska through the end of September.
If you visit Alaska during late spring you will be able to see:
- Moose
- Eagles
- Gray Whales
- Mountain Goats
- Sea Lions
- Sea Otters
- A huge variety of birds
- *while we did not see wolves, we did spot fresh wolf tracks during a tour near Denali
If you’re looking for wildlife I highly recommend visiting Seward and taking a Kenai Fjords Tour. These are 4 hour tours during the offseason, which was plenty for me. I am someone that gets motion sickness and seasickness, but did not have any problems while on this tour. The staff also has plenty of dramamine and other natural remedies on hand. You’ll also spend quite a bit of the tour out on the decks to get the best views, which will help with any motion sickness issues that may arise.
For our trip, my mom and I booked the 4 Hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise Highlights tour through Major Marine which was fantastic.
The Best Things to do in Seward Alaska
The Northern Lights
Seeing the northern lights is a bucket list item for most people, and having finally experienced it for the first time in Alaska it’s hard to explain how truly magical it is to see the lights dance across the sky and change colors.
If you want to see the northern lights the best time is to go in winter or visit Alaska in the shoulder season. There is too much sunshine in the summer to see the aurora activity.
Travel Guide: How to spend 3 days in Fairbanks
Museums
Alaska has some wonderful museums in both Fairbanks, Anchorage and Seward that blend a mix of history, culture, art, natural history and science. So you’ll have plenty to do if the weather is not as cooperative for outdoor experiences
My Itinerary:
These are the places I visited and explored while in Alaska. *Note that i was working while in Anchorage so wasn’t able to spend much time exploring
- Day 0 – late night flight into Fairbanks
- Day 1 – Explore Fairbanks (read more about 3 days in Fairbanks)
- Visit the North Pole
- Museum of the North
- Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
- Day 2 – Drive to Denali
- Denali National Park is not open for tours until the summer season starts, but we were able to
- Day 3 – Fairbanks & Chena Hot Springs
- Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
- Chena Hot Springs
- Day 4 – Chena Hot Springs & Anchorage
- Drive back to Fairbanks, fly to Anchorage
- Day 5-6 Anchorage*
- Anchorage Museum
- Day 7 – Travel to Seward
- Enjoy the scenic Seward Highway, allow time to stop to take photos or just enjoy the view
- This is a slow drive (low speed limits) and with traffic and/or construction can take longer than planned. Make sure to allow extra time especially if you are catching a flight on the way back
- Walk through town and along the waterfront
- Day 8 – Seward – read Things to Do in Seward
- Kenai Fjord Tour
- Day 9 – Seward & Anchorage
- Alaska SeaLife Center
- Drive back to Anchorage, fly home
Additional posts on visiting Alaska
- Travel Guide: How to spend 3 days in Fairbanks
- Alaska Guide: How to spend 24 hours at Chena Hot Springs
- How to Travel from Anchorage to Seward Alaska
- The Best Things to do in Seward Alaska
