Where To Stay And Hike In Alaska?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

The best lodges for guided hiking:

Kenai Backcountry Lodge

, where you’ll hike through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge; Kenai Riverside Lodge, which offers hikes in Chugach National Forest; Camp Denali / North Face Lodge in the heart of Denali. And Kennicott Glacier Lodge is great for self-guided hikes.

Is it safe to hike in Alaska?

Whether it’s short or long,

hiking safety should be at most concern for all of us

. Most of our hike are under 2 hours, on well established trail, and within a city. So, your chance of getting into hiking accident is low.

Does Alaska have hiking trails?

Why hiking and backpacking is the best way to see Alaska

While opportunities abound for backcountry wilderness adventure, you can also find easy day hikes on well-prepared trails.

Alaska hiking features hundreds of trails and plenty more places without trails

.

What is the prettiest area in Alaska?

  1. Denali National Park and Preserve. …
  2. Chena Hot Springs. …
  3. Mendenhall Glacier. …
  4. White Pass. …
  5. Sitka. …
  6. Kenai Fjords National Park. …
  7. Hatcher Pass. …
  8. Kodiak Island.

What should you avoid in Alaska?

  • Farmed seafood. Flickr – Judi Knight. …
  • Or buying fish in general. …
  • Even feeding your dogs farmed fish. …
  • Eating hot dogs. …
  • Camping without a view. …
  • Snacking on chips from the lower 48. …
  • Shopping at big corporate box stores. …
  • Drinking wine that isn’t from Alaska.

Which is colder Fairbanks or Anchorage?

Normal lows in Anchorage are in the low teens Fahrenheit (or negative teens Celsius), compared to

Fairbanks

, which typically sees lows around -15°F to -20°F (-26°C to -28°C).

Do you need bear spray to hike in Alaska?

Should I Carry Bear Spray?

Yes, many people do

. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game recommends bear spray and it is effective in many situations. Wind direction is critical, and can extend its effective range or shorten it.

Should I carry a gun hiking in Alaska?


Most people who hike in Alaska’s wilderness don’t carry a weapon

. They know that the best defense is common sense. Traveling and camping carefully are all that they need. If you feel the need for additional protection, consider carrying “pepper spray”, a bear deterrent made from the juice of red-hot peppers.

Should I be afraid of bears in Alaska?

The two most dangerous locations for bear encounters in the United States are probably the Anchorage bike paths and Yellowstone Park. Bears acclimated to people cause most of the harm to humans.

Don’t let an unreasonable fear of bears limit summer recreational activities.

What do I need to hike in Alaska?

  1. Hiking Boots and Socks.
  2. Hiking Tops.
  3. Hiking Tights and Pants.
  4. Hiking Shorts.
  5. Fleece Jacket.
  6. Rain Jacket and Pants.
  7. Hiking Backpack.
  8. Sun Protection.

What is the longest hiking trail in Alaska?

What is the longest hiking trail in Alaska? Currently, the longest established hiking trail in Alaska is

Resurrection Pass Trail

. This trail is 39 miles long. The Southern Trek of the Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT) would be the longest but it’s only partially completed at 120 miles.

What trail goes through Alaska?

It’s called the

Alaska Long Trail

and it would connect Seward to Fairbanks in 500 miles of existing hiking trails with some trails yet to be built. And that’s just the first section of it — someday it could include 2000 miles of trail stretching from the Panhandle in Southeast Alaska all the way to the North Slope.

What is the best month to drive to Alaska?

  • Peak season is June to August. By mid-June, it’s as warm as it’s going to get. …
  • Cruise Season is also May through September. …
  • Shoulder Season is May (early season) and September (late season), with 10-25% discounts on some hotels, tours, and cruises.

What is the most beautiful park in Alaska?

  • Denali National Park. Activities: Hiking, backpacking, rafting & ATV. …
  • Katmai National Park. …
  • Prince William Sound & Kenai Fjords National Park. …
  • Lake Clark National Park. …
  • Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. …
  • Wrangell-St. …
  • Gates of the Arctic National Park.

What city in Alaska has the best views?

  • Sitka. Kool Cats Photography | Flickr. …
  • Talkeetna. Jenni Konrad | Flickr. …
  • Gustavus. Gustavus Inn Website. …
  • Cordova. Riverside Inn Website. …
  • Girdwood. Alister & Paine Website. …
  • Valdez. Jeremy Taylor | Flickr. …
  • Ketchikan. …
  • Juneau.

How many days do you need in Alaska?

How many days do you need for an Alaska vacation? The sweet spot for an Alaska vacation is

seven to 10 days

. If you’re traveling on a land tour only, in seven days you can go all the way from Kenai Fjords National Park to Denali National Park with plenty of time for day-long guided excursions along the way.

What you should know before going to Alaska?

  • You’ll never get used to how beautiful Alaska is. …
  • The cost of living is high. …
  • You have to make a little bit of an effort to see the Northern Lights. …
  • Large swathes of Alaska aren’t on the road system. …
  • The Alaska State Fair is a big deal.

How do I visit Alaska for the first time?


Do An Independent Land Tour

Fly into Anchorage and travel by railroad, or rent a car or motorhome and drive our highways. Another option: take the marine highway or fly into an Inside Passage town. Visit off-the-beaten-path destinations. Stay at smaller hotels and roadside adventure lodges.

What is the coldest month in Fairbanks Alaska?

The coldest month of the year in Fairbanks is

January

, with an average low of -13°F and high of 3°F.

What city in Alaska is the coldest?


Barrow, Alaska

Barrow, situated at the very northern tip of the state, takes first place on our Coldest Cities list so far this winter. The average low temperature was -14°F, which is actually two degrees higher than that of Fairbanks. However, where Barrow “shines” is with its average high temperature of just -3°F!

Is Fairbanks Alaska a desert?

Here,

the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Rocky Mountains block rain and moisture from the west and east respectively, creating the arid conditions that define it as a desert

.

Are bear bells a good idea?

Bear bells may be a popular item to put on your backpack, but

they don’t effectively warn a bear you’re in the area

. Bears won’t hear the bells until you’re too close. Yelling, clapping, and talking are more effective ways of alerting a bear to your presence.

Is it safe to hike alone in Denali National Park?


The park’s website advises against hiking solo

. Scroll down to the “Insider knowledge” and open the Things you should always do” In grizzly country.. Number 3: hike with other people. The main reason is you are more likely to be talking and making noise, so you do not surprise a bear.

How common are bear attacks in Denali?

At least three other bear attacks have been reported this year.

Bear attacks are rare

, although the chances of being injured by one multiply in the backcountry.

Is tent camping in Alaska Safe?

If you’re tent camping in Alaska,

make sure your tent is free of any holes in the mesh that would let bugs in, make sure it has an excellent and full length rain fly

. It is also critical that you never ever leave any food or toileteries in your tent EVER for bear protection.

Are bear attacks common in Alaska?

The report concludes that while they are substantially less common than other causes of outdoor injury,

bear attacks occurred in Alaska every year during 2000–2017

, so learning best practices for recreating and working safely in bear country is a must.

Do you need bear spray in Denali?

In Denali and other national parks with grizzly bears(Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton)

I do not carry bear spray

. In most parks the bears ar enot habituted to humans and as long as you do not surpise a bear, come between a sow and cubs, or stumble upon their carrion cache you should be fine.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.