- Off-Road
Why You Should Visit Alaska in September
Plan your trip with our off-road reports. You’ll find articles about everything from the best trail food to activities in Alaska that are worthy of the 49th State.
Alaska in September offers wild views, rugged adventures, and an array of weather conditions. Preparing for your trip with the right layers is a must to enjoy your adventures and have a shot at seeing the Northern Lights.
What Alaska is Really Like in September – Weather, Northern Lights, & Less Crowds
September in Alaska is a beautiful time of year as the temperatures cool and the fall foliage begins to show. Blueberry bushes become full of ripe berries, the hillsides turn to gold, and the crowds start to lessen as the summer season comes to an end.
September is the best shoulder season time to visit Alaska as many tour companies are still operating, restaurants are still open, and the landscapes are just beautiful! Fall tends to hit the northern part of Alaska first, and then slowly makes its way to the coast. Fall colors tend to reach their peak north of Anchorage within the first two weeks of the month.
Early September tends to be the better time to visit before much of Alaska starts to slow down after the middle of the month. The last day for bus tours in Denali is September 17th, and other tours become more sparse as the month goes on. Luckily, you can come along for an ATV adventure with us up until the end of September!
Be sure to plan for any weather Alaska can bring and get ready to have an epic adventure in the 49th State!
September Weather – What to Expect
September in Alaska is a mixed bag when it comes to weather. Fall brings rain, light snow up in the mountains, and really pleasant sunny days with cooler temperatures. On average, temperatures range anywhere from the 70s to 20s in September – so you really want to plan for any weather.
Temperatures tend to become cooler as the month goes on, but we’ve had cold enough temps to bring termination dust to the mountains in the first week of September. Weather can be variable so packing the essentials listed below is always a good idea!
What to Wear in September in Alaska
Proper layering and bringing the right gear will make your adventures in Alaska more comfortable. Be sure to pack the appropriate layers for the weather and get a nice warm jacket suitable for the adventures in your itinerary. Being prepared for the elements will keep you happy when you get outside and allow you to spend more time looking for beautiful views!
We also recommend packing some hand and toe warmers for those nights of chasing the Northern Lights! They can go a long way to help you stay out and stare at the sky.
Alaska Packing List for September:
Reasons to Visit Alaska in September
There are lots of reasons to come visit Alaska in September. From the views, to the return of sunsets, and the lack of summer crowds, September can be a really pleasant time when you embrace the weather!
Enjoy the Fall Foliage
Alaska is a sight to see as the tundra and birch trees start to turn hues of gold, orange and red. Our ride out to the Knik Glacier becomes highlighted by the changing colors that contrast well against the raging river and the ice blue of the glacier. Fall colors don’t last long in Alaska so catching them at their peak is a huge win!
Mountainsides and tundra become even more picturesque this time of year. You’ll want to bring your camera along to capture it all! Fall can also be a great time for wildlife sightings as bears continue to prepare for hibernation. You may spot them on the mountainside eating blueberries!
See the Northern Lights
As sunset and night skies return to the north, the Northern Lights can be seen on clear nights. You can check the Aurora Forecast or Aurora Viewline to see what the KP Index will be like during your stay. A KP index of 4 or higher is a good sign that the aurora will be visible!
You can also get the My Aurora app to help you plan for the lights. Once you know a night has a higher KP Index, you’ll want to look north for signs of the aurora. Choosing a night with no clouds and going to a viewpoint with little light pollution will increase your chances of spotting the Northern Lights!
Denali in Fall is Incredible
Fall in Denali National Park is incredible. Enjoy hiking trails lined with blueberries, gold and red tundra all around, and the chance to stare up at the insane mountains of the Alaska Range. This is a great time to look for wildlife in the park and catch a narrated bus tour before they end in mid September.
You could see bears eating blueberries, moose, bald eagles, or even caribou in the park!
The National Park offers some great hiking trails for any outdoor enthusiast, and some exciting excursions nearby. There are also lots of scenic overlooks for those that don’t want to hike much. You can go for a flightseeing tour to get an idea of the scale of the Alaska Range and see the fall colors from above.
Less Crowds and Less Mosquitoes
As summer ends and the busy season starts to wind down, the crowds start to dwindle in Alaska, and the roads become less busy with RVs and tour buses. This can allow you to have a better chance at getting the trail all to yourself and have less traffic during your road trip.
Colder temperatures also mean less bugs and a lower chance for mosquitoes! While you might want to buy some bug spray just in case, it can be a lot more enjoyable to hike through the tundra without being bit by pesky mosquitoes.
Fall Can Be More Affordable
Shoulder season travel tends to be a lot more affordable. Flights and rental cars are less expensive than they are in June or July, and some stays have price drops after summer ends to make travel more budget friendly. With lower flight and room rates you can go on more excursions and make your trip even more memorable!
Start Planning Your September Trip!
Your trip to Alaska is going to be made memorable by fall colors, incredible views, and fun adventures. Come along on an ATV Adventure(link) with us to spot the fall colors and have fun out on the trail! Our guides will provide the safety gear you need to explore one of the most scenic valleys in all of Alaska that gives wild glacier views.
Start planning your trip today so that you can check off your bucket list adventures in the 49th State!
