11 Must-See Alaska Destinations For Summer—And Where To Head In Winter Instead

Alaska isn’t just a destination—it’s a whole mood that changes with the calendar. Visit in summer, and you’ll find yourself basking under the midnight sun, kayaking past glaciers, and spotting bears fishing in salmon-filled streams.

Come winter, and it feels like stepping into another world—quiet, still, and glowing with the eerie beauty of the northern lights. But here’s the thing: choosing when to visit can make or break your Alaskan adventure. Are you after hiking trails and wildlife galore, or do you dream of dog sledding through a snow-kissed forest?

I’ve experienced both sides of Alaska, from sun-drenched fjords to ice-crusted valleys, and I’m here to help you decide which season suits your style. What’s your perfect adventure—wildflower meadows or winter wonderlands? Let’s find out when to go to make the most of this awe-inspiring land.

1. Denali National Park: Summer’s Crown Jewel

Towering at 20,310 feet, Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) creates its own weather systems and dominates the landscape of America’s third-largest national park. Wildlife spotting here feels like a real-life safari with chances to see the “Big Five” – grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep.

The park road stretches 92 miles into pristine wilderness, but private vehicles can only drive the first 15 miles. I recommend booking a narrated bus tour to venture deeper.

In winter, head to Fairbanks instead. This interior city offers spectacular northern lights viewing from September through March, plus winter festivals, dog sledding, and hot springs that perfectly complement the snowy landscapes.

2. Kenai Fjords National Park: Where Glaciers Meet Ocean

Massive tidewater glaciers calve into the sea with thunderous cracks at this coastal gem near Seward. Boat tours offer front-row seats to this spectacular ice show while also providing opportunities to spot humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and puffins.

Exit Glacier provides the park’s only road-accessible area, where you can hike right up to the ice edge. Markers along the trail show dramatic glacier retreat over recent decades.

When winter arrives, consider Anchorage as your alternative base. Alaska’s largest city transforms into a winter playground with 100+ miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, the ceremonial start of the Iditarod sled dog race, and surprisingly good aurora viewing just outside town.

3. Homer: Artistic Haven at Land’s End

Perched at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, Homer charms visitors with its spectacular setting across Kachemak Bay. The quirky town’s four-mile-long “Spit” juts into the bay, lined with shops, galleries, and seafood shacks where halibut is the star attraction.

Artists and fishermen have long called Homer home, creating a unique cultural blend. Charter a boat for world-class halibut fishing or hop a water taxi to Kachemak Bay State Park for incredible hiking.

Winter travelers should swap Homer for Chena Hot Springs, about 60 miles from Fairbanks. This remote resort centers around naturally heated mineral pools where you can soak while watching for northern lights. Their ice museum, dog sledding, and snowmobile tours round out the winter experience.

4. Seward: Gateway to Resurrection Bay

Nestled between mountains and sea, Seward serves as both a charming small town and launching point for adventures. The Alaska SeaLife Center rehabilitates marine animals while educating visitors about ocean conservation through up-close encounters with seals, puffins, and octopuses.

Hiking trails abound, with the path to Exit Glacier being most popular. For a challenge, try the famous Mount Marathon trail, site of America’s oldest mountain race held every Fourth of July.

If visiting in winter months, Anchorage makes an excellent substitute. Besides winter sports, you’ll find excellent museums, cultural attractions, and dining options. The city hosts the Fur Rendezvous festival in February, featuring quirky events like the Running of the Reindeer and snowshoe softball tournaments.

5. Glacier Bay National Park: Ice Age Wilderness

Accessible primarily by boat or plane, this remote park preserves a dynamic landscape shaped by retreating ice. Cruise ships and day boats from Gustavus offer close-up views of tidewater glaciers and abundant marine wildlife including humpback whales, sea otters, and harbor seals.

Kayakers find paradise in protected inlets where they might spot black bears foraging along shorelines. The Huna Tribal House near Bartlett Cove celebrates the indigenous Tlingit people’s connection to these ancestral lands.

During winter’s grip, Fairbanks offers an excellent alternative. The city sits under the auroral oval, making it one of the world’s best places to witness the northern lights. Indoor attractions like the Museum of the North and Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum provide warm respite between outdoor adventures.

6. Juneau: Capital City Adventures

Alaska’s capital city can’t be reached by road—only by air or sea—giving it a distinctive island-like feel despite being on the mainland. Mendenhall Glacier, just 13 miles from downtown, offers spectacular ice viewing along with a chance to see black bears fishing for salmon during summer runs.

Mount Roberts Tramway whisks visitors 1,800 feet up for panoramic views of the city, channel, and surrounding mountains. Whale watching tours regularly spot humpbacks, orcas, and porpoises in the nutrient-rich waters.

When winter blankets Alaska, consider Anchorage for your base. The city maintains excellent winter infrastructure with lighted ski trails, ice skating rinks, and winter festivals. Nearby Alyeska Resort offers downhill skiing with spectacular ocean views—a rare combination in North America.

7. Valdez: Prince William Sound’s Hidden Gem

Surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and situated at the head of a deep fjord, Valdez combines spectacular scenery with fascinating history. Summer visitors flock to nearby Columbia Glacier, where kayakers navigate through ice floes while watching for calving events.

Salmon runs bring both fishermen and wildlife—particularly black bears—to town streams. The small but excellent Valdez Museum chronicles the 1964 earthquake that destroyed the original townsite and the 1989 oil spill that temporarily devastated local waters.

Winter travelers should consider Chena Hot Springs as an alternative destination. Beyond the rejuvenating thermal pools, visitors can tour the Aurora Ice Museum (maintained at 25°F year-round), mush a dog sled team through snow-covered forests, or ride snowmobiles across frozen landscapes while hunting for the perfect northern lights viewing spot.

8. Talkeetna: Quirky Base for Denali Views

This historic village 60 miles south of Denali National Park serves as base camp for mountaineers attempting North America’s highest peak. Main Street’s preserved log cabins house art galleries, brewpubs, and souvenir shops that maintain Talkeetna’s frontier character.

Flightseeing tours offer the most spectacular Denali views, with some landing on glaciers high on the mountain. The Talkeetna Historical Society Museum displays climbing artifacts and tells stories of early expeditions.

If winter brings you to Alaska, Fairbanks provides excellent cold-weather activities. Dog mushing experiences range from short rides to multi-day expeditions. The city’s position under the auroral oval means northern lights appear on average 243 nights per year, while winter festivals celebrate everything from ice sculpture to traditional Native games.

9. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: America’s Largest Wilderness

Larger than Switzerland, this massive park contains four major mountain ranges, numerous glaciers, and abandoned copper mining towns. McCarthy and Kennecott provide the only road-accessible entry points, where visitors can tour historic mines or hike onto Root Glacier with crampons.

Bush planes open up the park’s vast backcountry for backpacking, rafting, and mountain climbing. The 60-mile drive from Chitina to McCarthy crosses the one-lane Kuskulana Bridge suspended 238 feet above a gorge—an adventure itself!

During winter months, try Anchorage instead. Alaska’s largest city offers surprising diversity of winter activities from dog sledding to ice fishing. Nearby Chugach State Park provides accessible winter hiking, while downtown events like the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous festival celebrate Alaskan winter traditions with uniquely northern competitions.

10. Sitka: Russian Legacy on Baranof Island

Russian history meets Tlingit culture in this charming island community on Alaska’s Inside Passage. St. Michael’s Cathedral with its onion dome stands as reminder of Russian America, while totem poles throughout town represent the area’s original Tlingit inhabitants.

Wildlife viewing opportunities abound at the Alaska Raptor Center, where injured birds of prey receive rehabilitation, and the Fortress of the Bears, which rescues orphaned bear cubs. Hiking trails lead to alpine meadows and spectacular ocean viewpoints.

For winter travelers, Chena Hot Springs provides a magical alternative. Beyond soaking in the healing waters, visitors can witness the aurora borealis from the comfort of heated yurts or while floating in the hot springs. The resort’s ice bar serves appletinis in glasses made of crystal-clear ice harvested from nearby ponds.

11. Skagway: Gold Rush Time Capsule

History comes alive in this remarkably preserved gold rush town where wooden boardwalks line streets filled with restored 1898-era buildings. The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad climbs nearly 3,000 feet in just 20 miles, following the treacherous path gold seekers once trudged toward the Klondike.

National Park Service rangers lead fascinating walking tours through town, bringing to life tales of desperate stampeders and notorious con men like Jefferson “Soapy” Smith. Hiking trails lead to abandoned gold claims and spectacular waterfalls.

When winter arrives, consider Fairbanks for your Alaskan experience. The city embraces the season with events like the World Ice Art Championships, where sculptors transform blocks of crystal-clear ice into stunning artwork. Traditional activities like dog mushing and ice fishing complement modern pursuits like hot springs soaking and aurora photography tours.