Alaska is one of the last true, great wild places. This is a place that will test you like none other, yet also welcome you with open arms. A visit to Alaska can seem overwhelming — and it is. It’s the size of a third of the Lower 48, yet has a state population less than half of Phoenix, Arizona. Although, it allows for so many opportunities and adventures. It’s why those who visit are always drawn back for more. If you are planning a hiking trip to Alaska, check out this guide to get your planning started.
What to Know Before You Go
Costly Travel
Alaska isn’t like any other state in the United States. Some places – okay, many areas – aren’t accessible via car. This can make travel costly, especially if you plan to visit Katmai, Lake Clark, Kodiak, or northern spots in the Arctic Circle.
Drive Times
Additionally, as you know, Alaska is huge. Because of this, driving can take up nearly an entire day. For example, Anchorage to Denali National Park is about five hours. It’s only slightly shorter to go down to Homer. Now, part of this isn’t the distance traveled — it’s the speed at which you travel. No one acts as a race car driver. The danger of hitting wildlife is a natural speeding deterrent. Furthermore, why would you want to zip through some of the most beautiful terrains in the world?
Long Days
Luckily, the long days of Alaska’s summer mean you’ll still have plenty of daylight to enjoy your surroundings, even with long drives. Starting in mid-May, you’ll hardly have a sunset. As you get close to the solstice, the midnight sun will have your shadow keeping you company 24/7.
Sleeping
Your main sleeping areas will be:
- Anchorage
- Seward
- Homer
- Denali
- Valdez
- Cooper Landing
There are plenty of places to sleep in Alaska — spanning campgrounds, small BnB, hotels, Airbnb/VRBO, and lastly, camper vans. You shouldn’t have difficulty finding a place to sleep if you plan ahead. Personally, a camper van is the best way to travel in Alaska because it allows you the most freedom, and if any inclement weather appears, you’ve got rain protection.
Check out Tips for Traveling in a Camper Van for advice on how to prepare.
As for camping, we never felt too worried about wildlife. We followed all the precautions of eating/cleaning and food storage which meant our area was of no interest to bears. I will note that Alaska doesn’t fully open up until Memorial Weekend, so you may find campgrounds and some lodging not available yet if you visit earlier. However, if you stay in the summer, your only issue will be too many people.
What to Pack
Alaska can be a mixed bag when it comes to weather. Due to this, it’s wise to pack for different climates and always have a rain jacket on you when you hike.
This is what I packed on my trip:
- Wool Hiking Socks
- Waterproof Boots
- Hiking Pants
- Moisture Wicking Shirt (preferably wool)
- Mid Layer Fleece
- Down/Puffy Jacket
- Rain Jacket
- Beanie
- Hat
- Gloves
- Wool Leggings for colder morning/evenings
- Water Shoes for rafting/water activities
Check out Tips for Camping in the Rain for more information.
Hiking
The most important part of visiting Alaska is to return from Alaska. This means you need to be bear and wildlife safe. Now, you may quite literally never see an animal on your trip. But if you do, it’s best to be prepared. Below are five things you need to keep in mind:
- Always carry bear spray (better, have every person in your group carry bear spray).
- Be noisy on the trails, so you don’t spook an animal.
- Stay at least 300 feet from a bear or wolf (think football field).
- Moose are not friends. They will charge if you get too close.
- Do not run from grizzly bears. They will catch you.
For more information on how to stay safe around wildlife, read How to Protect From Bears While Camping.
Alaska’s hiking is some of the most spectacular in the world. The snowy mountains and lush green forests indeed are unrivaled. They, though, are not always on a designated trail. During my three weeks in the state, most of the “trails” are found near Anchorage and Kenai Peninsula. Then, as you drive north towards Denali and the tundra landscape, you get to pick the routes. Due to this, there’s only a fraction of the beauty included here.
Best and Most Accessible Destinations
- Denali National Park
- Wrangell St. Elias National Park
- Valdez
- Chugach Mountains
- Talkeetna Mountains
- Kenai Peninsula
- Denali State Highway
Best Hikes
- Harding Ice Field and Exit Glacier
- Flattop Mountain Trail
- Portage Pass Trail
- Mount Healy Overlook
- Slaughter Ridge
- Virgin Creek Falls
- Savage River Trail
- Root Glacier
- Worthington Glacier Loop
- Skilak Lookout Trail
- Mint Hut
- Reed Lakes
- April Bowl
Other Activities
In addition to hiking, there are numerous other outdoor activities to enjoy. Below are five of my favorites and ones that I genuinely believe would make your trip abundantly better.
- Fishing – Whether it’s salmon fishing in the rivers or deep-sea halibut fishing, you’ll never forget your first catch.
- Flight-seeing – This was my personal favorite. We flew around Denali from Talkeetna and saw views only a small percent ever gets to. I highly recommend it.
- Rafting – See the scenery (and maybe animals) from a different vantage point! Getting out on a rafting trip lets you soak in the views at a slower pace. If you go in the summer, bring your camera and binoculars.
- Kayaking – This is a perfect way to get onto the water and get up close to glaciers and other remote areas. Seward and Whittier will likely be your best bets for doing this.
- Bear Watching – Is it a trip to Alaska if you didn’t see a bear? There are dozens of bear-watching companies, so you won’t be limited. Most places will fly you into Lake Clark National Park or Katmai National Park. Again, I highly, highly recommend it.
- Boat Cruise – We had an incredible time taking a wildlife/nature cruise out of Seward to see the Kenai Fjords National Park. This obviously depends on your weather, but the pricing was fair and we saw so many incredible sights.
Best Time to Visit
For the plurality of readers, summer and fall will be the best time for visiting. These seasons will allow for excellent snowless hiking conditions and the longest days. Additionally, this is peak travel season, so guides and lodging are fully operational.
There is one negative to the summer: No Northern Lights. If you want to see the sky magic, you’ll want to visit late fall through early spring when the nights are long enough to see the Aurora Borealis.
Wildlife
As I mentioned above, bears, moose, and caribou will be your most likely wildlife encounters on land. You may see whales, orcas, sea lions, or seals if you’re on the water. Remember to follow all local guidance and allow the animals to be wild. If you give them space and don’t act like a threat, there shouldn’t be an issue.
Article and Photos by Alec Sills-Trausch
Alec is a photographer, writer, and avid hiker who enjoys pushing the limits to find incredible destinations. He hopes through his work to inspire others to get outside and to respect planet earth so future generations can enjoy it just the same. He’s also a cancer survivor. And, he hopes to use his voice to show that you can have a wonderful life after the treatment.
