Alaska is the largest state, yet its population ranks among the smallest. A large part of the state consists of national parks, nature preserves and wilderness, drawing many tourists interested in outdoor adventure every year. Its long summer days and equally long winter nights punctuate extreme fluctuations in temperature and weather throughout the year. Those interested in an Alaska vacation need to know which time of year best matches their needs.

Transition Months

October and November are transition months, when the brief fall gives way to winter, and so it April, when winter leads to spring. They’re not generally friendly months for vacationing tourists. The weather is wet, with copious rain and snow flurries, and the trees and vegetation have no leaves. Daylight hours are short and many tourist locations are closed for the season.


The tourist season in Alaska begins in May. High temperatures average in the mid-50s, the rains abate and the state’s wildflowers come into bloom. The spring thaw -- called the breakup -- takes place during May, and the state’s copious wildlife is visible for the first time after the long winter. Tourist attractions are open and the crowds haven’t become as heavy as they do in summer.


Summer in Alaska lasts from June until August and is considered the peak time to take a vacation in the state. Daylight lasts a long time -- 22 hours a day in some places -- and high temperatures average in the mid-60s. All of the tourist locations are open for business, while the cruise industry does a brisk trade running voyages along the Alaskan coastline. At the same time, crowds can be very large at some tourist spots -- reservations for hotels and restaurants are strongly recommended -- and prices tend to be higher as local vendors need summer dollars to sustain them throughout the year.


Alaska’s brief but spectacular fall takes place in September, when the leaves turn and temperatures drop slightly from summer. Rain tends to fall more heavily than in the summer, but like May, many of the tourist attractions are still open, with lower prices and smaller crowds than during the peak season.


Winter lasts from November until March in Alaska, marked by cold temperatures and copious snowfall. The biggest drawback of the period is the shortened daylight hours; in the state’s northernmost areas, the sun doesn't comes up at all. On the other hand, the untouched wilderness and voluminous snow make the state a paradise for outdoor winter activities. Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and snowmobiling facilities can be found throughout the state, and Alaska hosts festivals and sporting events like sled dog races throughout the winter months.

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