Plan your trip
When to come, and how to plan it
Interior Alaska is two different trips. Summer is endless daylight and open roads. Winter is dark skies, snow and the northern lights.
The seasons, plainly
Summer
Mid-June to mid-August
- Daylight until almost midnight
- Park buses and every trail open
- Wildflowers, rafting, long evenings
Good to know: The busiest months, so plan early. Bugs in June and July. The mountain hides more often than not.
Fall
Late August to September
- Red and gold tundra
- Fewer people, cooler days
- The first dark nights for the aurora
Good to know: Things start closing for the winter through September. Snow can arrive early in the mountains.
Winter
October to March
- The northern lights
- Sled dogs, snow and hot springs
- Quiet roads and quiet towns
Good to know: Short days and real cold, often minus 20°F or below. Most of Denali National Park is closed to visitors.
Spring
April to early June
- Fast-growing daylight
- Migrating birds
- Few other visitors
Good to know: Locals call it breakup: mud, melting snow, and many things not yet open. Best for flexible, independent travelers.
Getting here and around
Interior Alaska is big. Plan your trip around drive times, not miles.
- Flying in
- Most families fly into Anchorage and out of Fairbanks, or the reverse, so they don’t have to drive the same road twice.
- By car
- The Parks Highway links Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. Roughly two hours between each stop. Check your rental agreement before any gravel road.
- By train
- In summer the Alaska Railroad runs the same route, slowly and beautifully. Book shuttles or tours for each stop, since you won’t have a car.
Making it work with kids
- Two or three bases, not seven. Unpacking once per stop saves your trip.
- No drive over three hours. Break longer ones with a walk, a river or an ice cream.
- Leave afternoons empty. In summer you can do things at 9 pm. Rest in the middle of the day.
- Keep one day spare. Weather changes plans. A spare day keeps the thing you came for.
- Rain jackets, always. Even when it’s sunny. Especially when it’s sunny.
Questions people ask
How much does a stay or a tour cost?
It depends on the dates, how many of you there are and how long you stay, so we send a written quote once we know. Rates, the deposit and the cancellation terms are all in it, before you commit to anything.
Is interior Alaska too much for small kids?
No, with the right plan. The distances are the hard part, not the places. Pick one or two bases instead of moving every night, keep drives under three hours, and leave room for an afternoon at the cabin. Our guide to Denali with kids has the details.
When is the best time to come?
Mid-June to mid-August for long days, open trails and the park buses. Late August and early September for fall colors and fewer people. Late August to mid-April for the northern lights. Our season guide compares them.
Can we see the northern lights in summer?
Not really. From May to early August it doesn't get dark enough in interior Alaska. Late August is the earliest realistic start, and the dark, cold months are the most reliable.
Will we see Denali?
Maybe. The mountain makes its own weather and is hidden by cloud on most summer days. Give yourself a few days nearby and the odds get much better. Talkeetna and the park road both have good viewpoints.
Do we need a car?
It helps. Interior Alaska is big and buses between towns are few. The Alaska Railroad runs between Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks in summer, and our tours include pick-up, so a car-free trip is possible with some planning.
Can we bring the dog?
Ask us with your dates and we'll tell you which stays can take a dog. Pets aren't allowed on most trails in Denali National Park, so plan the park days around that.
What happens after we ask about dates?
We reply by email with what's open, a quote, and any questions about your group. Nothing is booked until you say yes.
Know when you’re coming? Ask about dates.
Tell us your dates and who’s coming. We’ll reply by email with what’s open and a written quote. Asking books nothing.
Ask about dates