The breath taking view of Mt.
McKinley in Denali National Park Alaska, would make anyone want to hop a plane for Alaska tomorrow.
But the best time to visit Denali is mid June to the end of August.
The best time to visit the rest of Alaska extends a little longer.
You can't go wrong if you explore our 49th state between the first week of May till the middle of September.
Most tours operate during these months because nature is in full bloom and the days are long.
May is the best time to go if you don't like the rain, only about 25% chance of rain in May compared to 50% in August.
Whatever your passion you're sure to find it in the great outdoors that is Alaska.
Cyclists, joggers, and hikers will find an abundance of trails weaving through most communities and into the vast unknown.
There is so much to see and do in Alaska I am not sure how long you would have to stay to take in everything you wanted to see.
To get a good sampling of both land and sea choose between two trips, Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park, from one or more of the many companies offering day trips to these locations.
On a day trip to Kenai Fjords National Park, by catamaran, you will get a chance to see an abundance of wildlife, from sea lions, seals, sea otters, and migrating whales.
Once you get to the glaciers you might have an opportunity to see what is called calving - where the glaciers break off in big chunks and fall into the sea.
Most of the day trips into the National Park take about 8 hours and will offer a meal.
These 8 hour trips are quite expensive but well worth it.
However, if an all day trip, and the price of it are not to your liking there are other tours that take only 3 hours but still offer views of alpine glaciers, including the famous Bear Glacier, in Resurrection Bay for a mere fraction of the cost.
Again watch for Humpback whales, Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoise, harbor porpoise, Orca (killer whales), harbor seals, bald eagles, and puffins.
If you fly into Anchorage you will have as many choices of tour operators as you will have places to tour.
On land choosing to go to Denali National Park will be the easy part, deciding what to do once you get there is going to be very difficult.
You could choose a few hours of white water rafting down the Nenana River or a day of scenic rafting with a white water option.
Here you'll get a chance to see moose, caribou, and even bear.
If the idea of going down a glacier fed river isn't your cup of tea you might want to try a back country safari in a 4-wheel drive Jeep, or and ATV adventure to see the wilderness like the Alaskans do.
Or you can take a full day narrated bus trip that will take you deep inside Denali National Park in the Kantishna region along the Park Road.
If you have the extra cash you can consider a heli-tour which will give you great views and allow you to take a walk on a glacier or you can take a flightseeing tour on a plane that will traverse the ridge line of the park and give you a birds eye view of just how big it really is.
Alaska is a vast and beautiful state full of incredible once in a lifetime adventures.
Take time to plan and save your money well in advance to really enjoy this spectacular natural beauty.
McKinley in Denali National Park Alaska, would make anyone want to hop a plane for Alaska tomorrow.
But the best time to visit Denali is mid June to the end of August.
The best time to visit the rest of Alaska extends a little longer.
You can't go wrong if you explore our 49th state between the first week of May till the middle of September.
Most tours operate during these months because nature is in full bloom and the days are long.
May is the best time to go if you don't like the rain, only about 25% chance of rain in May compared to 50% in August.
Whatever your passion you're sure to find it in the great outdoors that is Alaska.
Cyclists, joggers, and hikers will find an abundance of trails weaving through most communities and into the vast unknown.
There is so much to see and do in Alaska I am not sure how long you would have to stay to take in everything you wanted to see.
To get a good sampling of both land and sea choose between two trips, Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park, from one or more of the many companies offering day trips to these locations.
On a day trip to Kenai Fjords National Park, by catamaran, you will get a chance to see an abundance of wildlife, from sea lions, seals, sea otters, and migrating whales.
Once you get to the glaciers you might have an opportunity to see what is called calving - where the glaciers break off in big chunks and fall into the sea.
Most of the day trips into the National Park take about 8 hours and will offer a meal.
These 8 hour trips are quite expensive but well worth it.
However, if an all day trip, and the price of it are not to your liking there are other tours that take only 3 hours but still offer views of alpine glaciers, including the famous Bear Glacier, in Resurrection Bay for a mere fraction of the cost.
Again watch for Humpback whales, Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoise, harbor porpoise, Orca (killer whales), harbor seals, bald eagles, and puffins.
If you fly into Anchorage you will have as many choices of tour operators as you will have places to tour.
On land choosing to go to Denali National Park will be the easy part, deciding what to do once you get there is going to be very difficult.
You could choose a few hours of white water rafting down the Nenana River or a day of scenic rafting with a white water option.
Here you'll get a chance to see moose, caribou, and even bear.
If the idea of going down a glacier fed river isn't your cup of tea you might want to try a back country safari in a 4-wheel drive Jeep, or and ATV adventure to see the wilderness like the Alaskans do.
Or you can take a full day narrated bus trip that will take you deep inside Denali National Park in the Kantishna region along the Park Road.
If you have the extra cash you can consider a heli-tour which will give you great views and allow you to take a walk on a glacier or you can take a flightseeing tour on a plane that will traverse the ridge line of the park and give you a birds eye view of just how big it really is.
Alaska is a vast and beautiful state full of incredible once in a lifetime adventures.
Take time to plan and save your money well in advance to really enjoy this spectacular natural beauty.