When To Travel To Alaska

A view of the sunset from inside a small float plane.

There’s a short window between early June and mid-September when fly-fishing and adventure travel are best in Alaska. The salmon runs start in June with sockeyes and kings, and throughout this period you’ll find reliable fishing for rainbows, grayling, and char. But this is Alaska, and the weather can change at a moment’s notice, turning off the fishing or making your adventure cruise a little more adventurous.


It’s best to expect the unexpected: Locals will quip, “if you don’t like the weather now, come back in five minutes.”

 

That more or less describes Alaska’s summer conditions in a nutshell. And while there may be no guarantees in life, there are a few close approximations that might influence your Alaska travel plans:

  • The high season for guided fly-fishing trips and adventure cruises is June through August, with the warmest temperatures occurring from mid-June until mid-August.
  • Average highs range from 55°F to 65°F during summer, with average highs in May and September ten degrees cooler.
  • Late August and early September are the rainiest in Anchorage, and September is Juneau’s second rainiest month behind October.
  • The amount of daylight varies from 14 to 22 hours (a shorter maximum in Juneau and a longer maximum farther north in Anchorage); June days are longest and September’s shortest.

There’s really no “bad” time to go to Alaska between May and September—only slightly better times to satisfy a specific agenda. Most lodges will agree that the best time to fly fish in Alaska is in July and August when the bug life is the most active. This also makes July and August the busiest times on the rivers, so if you prefer a quieter experience, you may want to look at June or September. Still, we’re talking about Alaska and “crowded” doesn’t mean “Deckers on a holiday weekend” crowded.


If you’re traveling to Alaska for an adventure cruise, your booking window can be more flexible. While conventional wisdom might nudge you to go when the temperatures are warmest, travel timing really boils down to personal preference and what’s on your Alaska adventure cruise must-do wish list. Do you want to see waterfalls with more rushing water? Then go earlier in the summer when the snowmelt swells the rivers.

Three people stopped in a raft on an Alaskan river with a brown bear in the foreground.

Fly-Fishing Season In Alaska

Fly-fishing opportunities are exceptional all season long, from May until September. The only variation occurs in the fish species available during any given period of weeks. By mid-July, the fishing really heats up as sockeye salmon push into the rivers and rainbow trout follow. You’ll also find king, pink, and chum salmon, during the core of the season.

 

In September and October, the pressure on the rivers dies down but the fish are still there. Locals call the late summer and early fall “trophy season” since the rainbows have been feasting all summer and have put on some pounds. If you don’t mind dealing with inclement weather, September and October are a great time to fly fish in Alaska.

Expect the best, and pack for the worst—you’ll never forget your trip to Alaska no matter when you go. And whatever your agenda, you really can’t go wrong: From May until September, any time is the right time to travel to Alaska for a fly-fishing or cruise adventure.

A man and a woman kneeling in a river and holding up a fish to the camera.

Orvis Trips & Schools

Sharing the joy of fly fishing and wingshooting has been at the heart of our business from our start, over 165 years ago. From your first cast to your bucket-list trip—Orvis Adventures is dedicated to helping you explore your passion. Our experienced Adventures team and our expertly vetted Orvis-Endorsed Partner network remove all the guesswork—and you’re ensured a best-in-class experience, no matter what kind of adventure you’re looking for.

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