{"id":1787,"date":"2018-08-28T10:45:37","date_gmt":"2018-08-28T14:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thefullpassport.com\/?p=1787"},"modified":"2023-01-18T20:08:25","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T01:08:25","slug":"fall-in-alaska","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefullpassport.com\/fall-in-alaska\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Visit Alaska in the Fall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While summer-lovers in much of the United States<\/a> are still staunchly clinging to their flip-flops, a cooler wind has begun to blow in the northern reaches of the continent. By mid-August, fall is starting to descend on Alaska<\/a>. Soon, the state will be arrayed in glorious colors. Lengthening nights hold the potential for northern lights sightings. Cooler weather coaxes wildlife to lower elevations. Crowds diminish as the high tourist season comes to an end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, it’s one of the best times to visit Alaska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are lots of benefits to visiting Alaska in other seasons<\/a>, autumn is hands-down my favorite time to be in the 49th state. It’s not because they have the best pumpkin-spice lattes or the cutest boots-and-scarf photo ops. Rather, I love fall in Alaska’s interior because it looks like this:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Mountains,
Denali National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Jaw-dropping, heart-stopping beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was fortunate to be able to spend three autumns in Alaska, including a large chunk of time in the incredible Denali National Park and Preserve<\/a>. Today I want to share some of my favorite photos from my favorite season in the Great Land, as well as tips and information for planning your own autumn getaway to the Last Frontier!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While many other parts of Alaska are gorgeous during the fall season, I have a soft spot in my heart for Denali. The combination of lofty, majestic mountains, intricately braided rivers, wide-open spaces, and abundant wildlife is hard to beat. Regardless of the season, you’re struck by another fantastic vista everywhere you turn. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Rugged<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Denali is also one of the most accessible national parks in the state, making it an easy addition to your fall trip itinerary. The visitor center is located just off the appropriately-named Parks Highway (AK-3). It’s about four hours by car from Anchorage and two hours from Fairbanks, both of which have major airports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an alternative, consider making the trip from Anchorage by train for an incredibly scenic journey. It will double the travel time, but you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous ride that includes large swaths of wilderness that is inaccessible by road.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Glacial
Riding the rails between Anchorage and Denali as autumn begins to set in<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Part of what makes Denali great is that there is only one road into the park. Private vehicles are prohibited beyond Mile 15 with the exception of those that are selected in the end-of-the-season Denali Road Lottery<\/a>. Not only does this help to control crowds – which will already be growing smaller as summer wanes – but it also means that the human impact on the park is minimized. In Denali, you don’t find people approaching or harassing wildlife in the same way that you do at other parks where visitors have more freedom to move about. The limited traffic also ensures that the fragile ecosystems and breathtaking landscapes stay pristine.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Gwen
My dad told me, “You won’t understand the meaning of the word ‘vast’ until you visit Alaska.” He was right.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The high season for visitors is mid-June to mid-August, and Denali is a hugely popular stop on most Alaska itineraries<\/a>. You’ll be glad of the extra breathing room if you visit in late August or September. You should note, though, that parts of the park road close<\/g> and other services become limited by mid-September (and earlier if the weather complicates things). If you want to explore deep into the park, make sure to visit before the second week after Labor Day. More information on park seasons and services can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Rainbow
Denali’s single park road and diminished tourist crowds mean that you won’t be sharing views like this with hundreds of other tourists once autumn rolls around.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Now let’s talk about wildlife<\/g>! If you’re headed to Alaska, I’m willing to place a bet that at least some small part of you is hoping to catch sight of some animals. Luckily, your chances of spotting some of Alaska’s most elusive furry residents go up as the temperatures cool off, making the autumn a great time to visit!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Grizzly
Grizzly bear stocking up on last-minute snacks in the fall foliage<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The “Alaskan Big Five” consists of grizzly bears, moose, Dall sheep, wolves, and caribou, all of which can be found in Denali National Park and throughout Alaska. Each of these species has evolved to survive the harsh temperatures of an Alaskan winter. Thus, the mid-day heat in summer can be enough to send them into higher elevations or cooler, shaded spots where they may be difficult to see. As autumn arrives, however, the new chill in the air can result in increased<\/g> animal activity regardless of the time of day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My closest encounter with Dall sheep, for example, came in the fall when a herd crossed the road right in front of my bus. During the summer, they tend to appear only as tiny white specks in the higher reaches of the mountains. No binoculars needed this time!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Dall
Dall sheep along the park road in Denali<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Wildlife sightings are unpredictable, even in the unpopulated and remote expanses of the state. Visiting during a cooler time of year, however, or going wildlife spotting in the early morning or late afternoon when the temperatures are lower, will greatly increase your chances of seeing something!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps you’ll even get lucky and catch sight of the most elusive of the Big Five: the wolf.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Wolf
This wolf was one of very few that I saw during my time in Alaska, and it only stuck around long enough for me to grab a quick and blurry snapshot!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Finally, another advantage to<\/g> visiting Alaska in the fall is an increasing opportunity to view the northern lights. This mesmerizing natural phenomenon is a worthy addition to most travel bucket lists<\/a>. Unfortunately, though, it is quite impossible to see during the long days of summer because the sky never gets sufficiently dark. As the nights grow longer and darker, however, your chances of sighting the aurora go way up! I personally witnessed it twice in the month of September, and friends of mine just saw a fantastic display on Saturday night (August 25) in Fairbanks!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s no guarantee as to whether the aurora will appear and how long it will last when it does, but you can always check the northern lights forecast<\/a> to see what your chances might be!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Other Great Reasons to Visit Alaska in the Fall<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n