8 Reasons to Visit Alaska in the Fall (from a local)

Fall in Alaska is my favorite time of the year. It’s a very short season up here that lasts just 2-3 weeks, but at its peak, is absolutely gorgeous.

Fall begins earlier the further north you go. Below is a quick cheatsheet so you can better understand this season. For more details on fall in Alaska, you can refer to my complete fall guide here.

• Anchorage area (Girdwood, Palmer, Wasilla, and Talkeetna) – fall runs from September 5 – the end of September with peak fall colors the last week of September
• Hatcher Pass – This is a large recreation area north of Anchorage. Fall starts in late August and is over by mid-September. It’s usually snowing by the second week of September in the higher elevations.
• Kenai Peninsula (Seward, Homer, Kenai, Soldotna) – Fall starts and runs later, from about Mid-September to early October
• Interior Alaska (Fairbanks, Denali NP) – Fall starts earlier further up in the state. Colors start to change mid-August and runs through mid-September.

1. The Fall Foliage is Beautiful

If you are as swept away by beautiful orange and red fall hues as I am, then you will LOVE Alaska in the fall. Colors come to life in late August through September. Note that this will change depending on where you go so be sure to read my full fall guide on WHEN to visit.

And when you combine that with the chance of seeing the northern lights, it’s simply magical.

Here are a few of my favorite spots for fall foliage in the Anchorage area. You can also catch these beautiful colors in Fairbanks but with less dramatic scenery.

2. There’s Less Tourists

This is a big reason to visit Alaska in the fall months. After the first weekend of September, tourists start to clear out and tours start to wind down. This means less tour buses on the roads and less rental motorhomes.

Note that there are some downsides to visiting this time of year. With less tourists comes less tour options. Some towns also start to shut down so there might be less lodging options available, especially in the smaller towns.

Denali National Park, for example, stops running tour buses into the park by the 3rd week of September. So if Denali is on your list I recommend arriving before then.

3. Grab a Great Deal with Lower Prices

As tourist season winds down, off-season prices set in. The main areas where prices drop dramatically are lodging and car rentals. Tours typically don’t have off-season prices, so expect to pay the same as you would in high season.

Some places drop their prices after Labor Day (the first weekend in September) and some don’t drop until after mid-September (the 15th). But when they do go down, it can be as much as half the price of the high season summer months.

4. Get a More Local Feel

By September, high tourism season is winding down, and Alaska returns to more of a local place. In fact, most people I know usually avoid the popular tourist restaurants in the summer and wait until shoulder and off-season to go. I love Snow City Cafe, but the summer wait times can be crazy, so I often wait until off-season to enjoy brunch.

5. Witness the Northern Lights in Milder Temps

During Alaska’s summer months, it’s too bright to see the Northern Lights. Alaska is, after all, home of the midnight sun. From around mid-April to the end of August you won’t have dark skies. But starting the last week of August through early April, there’s always a chance to see the lights.

A huge perk of seeing the northern lights earlier in the season is that you can be out when it’s above freezing, dare I say even warm-ish outside.

Around Anchorage, Northern Lights tours being in August and really ramp up in September. You can even book a tour with a professional photographer and learn all about photographing the northern lights.

Compared to fall, a winter trip to see the northern lights typically means lots of layers and winter gear. And it’s likely your fingers will freeze from adjusting your phone or camera (I speak from personal experience, hah). So it’s a treat to be able to watch them dance in a milder climate.

6. See the ‘Fat Bears’

By fall, bears have had all summer to fatten up and get ready for the long winter’s sleep. You can visit Katmai National Park to see these bears fattened up before winter. We camped September 6-9 one year and had a blast. Down in this area, it’s not quite fall, so you likely won’t see the leaves changing unless you visit at the end of September.

I recommend booking a day trip this time of year. If you want to camp (which in my opinion is such an incredible way to experience Katmai), you can read all about my experience here.

By September, some tour companies have shut down, but there are still a few running day trips. Weather can be really unpredictable in September, so manage your expectations and if possible, allow an extra day if your tour cancels due to weather.

7. Watch the Arctic Quickly Change

Unlike most places in the world, fall only lasts for a few weeks in Alaska, then abruptly turns to winter. Since it happens so quickly, you’ll see these changes happening daily. It’s always an incredible reminder of the power of mother nature.

8. Witness Incredible Sunsets

Along with vibrant colored leaves, you’ll likely also experience some beautiful sunsets. Some of my favorite sunset pictures were taken in late September.

If you want an itinerary, I put together the perfect 7 day fall foliage itinerary from Anchorage.

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