For many people, the answer to the question “When is the best time to go to Alaska?” is July. With wildlife fully active, all trails accessible, long days and Alaska's warmest average temperatures,
July can be the best month to visit Alaska
. This translates into a busy time for The Great Land, with a swell of visitors.
Can I see northern lights in July in Alaska?
Yes, you can see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, from Anchorage – but
not in the summer
. The aurora actually occurs all year long, but the sky needs to be clear and dark to see it. Views are best from September to April.
What is the number 1 attraction in Alaska?
- Denali National Park. Denali National Park. …
- Tracy Arm Fjord. Tracy Arm Fjord. …
- Kenai Fjords National Park. Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. …
- Anchorage. Anchorage, Alaska. …
- Alaska Highway. Alaska Highway. …
- University of Alaska Museum of the North. …
- Inside Passage. …
- Alaska Railroad.
Is it better to go to Alaska in July or August?
July is peak season in Alaska
and also typically the warmest month of the summer. Because of the popularity of July travel, it is best to book reservations in advance for train transfers, lodging and activities. August is the beginning of the end for the Alaskan Summer.
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.
How many hours of daylight does Alaska have in July?
| CITY | Barrow | May | 19:44 | June | 24:00 | July | 24:00 | Aug. | 24:00 |
|---|
How much does it cost to see northern lights in Alaska?
Most tour companies will pick up guests from any Fairbanks hotel or accommodation as part of the package price. Evening tours run from 9 p.m. to about 4 a.m. and average
$75 to $85 per person
, while more extensive tours like the Northern Alaska fly/drive Arctic Circle viewing tour begins at $269 per person.
Can you see the northern lights from Denali National Park?
Denali is a great location for viewing the aurora
because we are located at a far northern latitude and because there is very limited light pollution.
Can you see aurora borealis in Alaska?
Alaska is one of the best places on earth to see the northern lights
, also known as the aurora borealis – colorful bands of light that dance in the dark night sky.
Is Fairbanks worth visiting?
Fairbanks is the hub for Alaska's Interior and Arctic and is known for its first-class accommodations and restaurants, museums, concerts, historic sites, Alaska Native culture, and access to the Alaskan wilderness. It is also famous for it's incredible long summer days, where the sun never seems to set.
Is Anchorage worth visiting?
IMO Anchorage is well worth a day or two
. There are a ton of really great activities: hiking, museums, fishing, dining, arts/crafts, scenery all within the city. AK is huge and if you're here just for a little while, I wouldn't suggest any where too far away (like Denali).
Is it expensive to go to Alaska?
The average price of a 7-day trip to Alaska is $1,505 for a solo traveler, $2,390 for a couple, and $3,202 for a family of 4
. Alaska hotels range from $62 to $293 per night with an average of $103, while most vacation rentals will cost $180 to $530 per night for the entire home.
What's the best month to go 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.
Is there snow in Alaska in July?
When it comes to weather in Alaska,
anything is possible — including snow in July
. According to Brian Brettschneider with our Ask a Climatologist segment, Alaska holds the North American record for most snow on a single day in July.
Where in Alaska is it dark for months?
The sun rose and set in
Utqiagvik, Alaska
, formerly known as Barrow, for the last time for on Thursday for a period of over 60 days. The small town located north of the Arctic Circle has entered its annual phase of darkness, known as polar night.
Which is better Anchorage or Fairbanks?
Overall
Anchorage is the best choice when deciding where to start your trip
. If you plan your visit for the Northern Lights, then Fairbanks is a better choice.
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.
Is it better to stay in Fairbanks or Anchorage?
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fairbanks and Anchorage, we can see that
Fairbanks is more expensive
. And not only is Anchorage much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Anchorage would let you spend less money overall.
Is Alaska dark in July?
1. Alaska Gets Six Months of 24-Hour Sunlight and Darkness. … Barrow is one of Alaska's northernmost cities and gets complete darkness for two months out of the year.
During the summer, the sun doesn't completely set in Barrow from early May until the end of July
.
Is it dark in Alaska in July?
For example, in Fairbanks, the sunrise on this year's summer solstice (June 20) is at 2:59 a.m. Sunset is at 12:47 a.m. the next day. For those two hours between sunrise and sunset,
it's basically dusk or dawn because it never actually gets dark
. This all-day daylight occurs from May 17 through July 27 in Fairbanks.
Is it true Alaska is dark for 6 months?
Alaska Gets Six Months of 24-Hour Sunlight and Darkness
Interestingly, this myth was perpetrated by our science books for many years. Only the furthest north and south points have equal parts daylight and darkness throughout the year, and
Alaska isn't north enough to experience six months of either extreme
.
Is Iceland or Alaska better for northern lights?
If you're wondering if Iceland or Alaska is better for viewing the Northern Lights. The answer is that
both offer incredible opportunities
. Ideally, you should be north of the 65 degrees latitude on a cloudless night, away from the light pollution of a major city.
Do I need a passport to go to Alaska?
United States residents do not need a passport to go to Alaska
, but soon they will need a REAL ID. Beginning May 3, 2023, U.S. citizens aged 18 and up traveling by air within the United States will need REAL ID-compliant identification to go through airport security checkpoints.
How long do northern lights last for?
The Northern Lights most commonly appear between 5:00 pm and 2:00 am. They don't usually exhibit for long – they may only show for a few minutes, then glide away before returning. A good display may last for
no longer than 15-30 minutes at a time, although if you're really lucky, they could last for a few hours
.
Is Denali worth the money?
The Denali package is more worth it for people who want an advanced safety system in their car
. With the extensive safety features offered on this package, it should help you feel better when you hit the roads. The package might also make sense for families or those who have small children.
Can you see the aurora in Patagonia?
The Southern Lights make a rare appearance in Chile, but
Patagoniahas had recorded sightings
. Like many of the other destinations on the list, the months between March and September offer the best chance of witnessing the spectacular Aurora Australis. But that's not the only spectacular thing you”ll see.
Can you see the Milky Way in Alaska?
The Milky Way is most visible in the summer months through the northern hemisphere
– but that's the time of year where Alaska experiences the Midnight Sun! Shoulder seasons (late August to early October and March to April) are the time when you can best experience the Milky Way (and possibly the aurora too!).
