Alaska is beautiful in every season, but there is something truly special about Alaska in September. Free of the summer crowds, September is the perfect time to visit a more “authentic” Alaska, where towns have resumed their sleepy pace but there’s still plenty of wildlife abound.
In this guide, we will run through why September is a great time to visit the Last Frontier, the top things to see and do during this month, and essential tips to ensure you are properly prepared for your Alaskan adventure.
Visiting During the “Shoulder Season”
September in Alaska, often termed the "shoulder season", stands at a unique crossroads between the high-energy summer and the serenity of winter. This month offers an exceptional blend of both seasons, serving up the best of Alaska without the heightened tourist activity of peak times – and the associated heightened prices.
The top perks of visiting in September include:
- Lower accommodation prices on hotels, airbnbs, and lodges
- Drastically reduced car rental prices
- Less traffic on major scenic routes
- Decreased road construction and delays
- More availability for top tours
- Quieter restaurants, downtown centers, trails, and rivers
- Possibility for Northern Lights
- Best time for bear viewing!
Weather and Seasonal Closures
While the shoulder season is a great time to cut travel costs and avoid crowds, it also comes with a bit more logistical hurdles. In Alaska, there is a favorite saying of “September is a wild card” – nodding towards the unknown weather that every September can bring. This is a time of transition, where Alaska is quickly shuffling from summer into fall, and it can bring a wide range of weather patterns.
Here is what to expect:
- Interior areas (such as Denali, Fairbanks, and high passes) can experience snowfall in September. Be prepared to pivot your plans due to road closures and pack accordingly for cold weather.
- Coastal areas experience some of their highest rainfall during this month. While rain is not guaranteed, it is a definite possibility. If you plan on visiting the coastal areas, be sure to pack waterproof gear and numerous warm layers.
- Anchorage can see everything from warm, sunny days to cold, overcast days. This can also include an early winter storm that can bring winds and rain throughout the region. Always be flexible with your plans and have the proper gear to ensure you can enjoy outdoor activities in all conditions.
In addition to temperamental weather, September is also the end of the tourist season, with many establishments closing for the winter in mid-September. While this won’t impact most of your plans if you are visiting a larger city, this can affect your trip if you plan on visiting the smaller communities. While grocery stores will remain open, some restaurants, tours, lodges, and attractions will close (including the Denali Shuttle Bus).
Plan to visit in early September to avoid these closures and always double-check your itinerary for seasonal closures. This also includes scenic roads, such as Hatcher Pass, which will close after the first major snowfall.
Where to Go and What to See in September
Even with some seasonal closures, there is still plenty to do throughout the state. September is a prime time to see fall foliage across the tundra and witness some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing.
Read more: Budget-friendly Alaska travel ideas
Here’s a rundown of the top things to do in the month and where to go:
Fall Foliage
Denali National Park and Preserve: In the fall, Denali becomes a colorful mosaic of reds, golds, and oranges set against majestic snow-capped peaks. The best time to visit is in early September, when the bus is still operating in the park.
At the end of September, the bus shuttle shuts down, but the park opens the road to private vehicles who have won the annual “lottery”. This lottery is held several months beforehand, and allows individuals to win a coveted ticket to drive their own vehicle along the park road – the only time when you are allowed to do so!
Talkeetna: Beyond its reputation as a base for Denali expeditions, this quaint town is a visual treat in September with its fall foliage and prime fishing options. This is also a great place to see moose during their fall rutting season. While you will need to exercise extreme caution and keep your distance from these animals, it can be a truly spectacular experience to see them fight.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: Navigating through America's largest national park in September feels like driving through a live painting. Early September usually is free of snowfall, and is the perfect time to visit the park and not be consumed by mosquitoes.
Kenai Peninsula: If you’re visiting in late September, head to the Kenai Peninsula to catch some of the best foliage in the state. Add a stop at Girdwood along the way to ride the Alyeska gondola to the top of the mountain and see the hillside come alive in reds and golds.
Witnessing the Great Migration
In Alaska, the "Great Migration" refers to the vast movement of caribou and other wildlife species as they traverse expansive landscapes in search of food, mating opportunities, and more favorable climates. During September, these migrations are particularly pronounced due to changing weather conditions and the onset of winter. As food sources become scarcer in the northern regions and temperatures drop, caribou, birds, and other animals move to areas with more abundant sustenance and suitable habitats, ensuring their survival during the colder months.
Where to go: Book a tour to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to watch this amazing migration. You can also see migrating caribou packs along the ALCAN Highway (the road connecting Alaska to the rest of the US).
Experience the Best Salmon Run in the World
In Alaska, the salmon run is a captivating natural spectacle where millions of salmon return from the ocean to their freshwater birthplaces to spawn. September in Alaska is particularly significant for the salmon run, as it marks the peak time for silver salmon (coho) to make their journey upstream. These fish navigate challenging waters, leaping up waterfalls and attracting a host of predators to feast on this bounty – including bears, seals, seal lions, foxes, orcas, and salmon sharks.
Valdez: Streams and rivers teem with silver salmon, marking this fishing village as one of the best places in Alaska to experience the Coho run.
Kodiak: Kodiak is home to several robust salmon rivers, including a healthy Coho run. This is also a great place to visit to see the massive Kodiak brown bear in the wild, as they will be prevalent along the rivers and coastline throughout the month.
Portage Valley: Just outside of Anchorage, you can visit the Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform in Portage Valley. This is a great, family-friendly option to watching salmon swim upstream, and you can add on a trip to Portage Glacier.
Observing Bears Fishing
September is one of the prime times to witness bears fishing in Alaska, primarily because of the salmon run. As the salmon make their way upstream to spawn, bears congregate near rivers and streams to take advantage of this abundant food source. The concentrated presence of salmon offers bears a chance to fatten up before winter's hibernation.
This also means that bears are in their highest density along trails and rivers, so it is essential to pack bear spray with you wherever you go.
Katmai National Park: Katmai is famous for seeing grizzlies in the wild. You will need to take a tour to visit the park, but day trips are offered out of Anchorage, Homer, and Kodiak daily. Alternatively, you can also book a stay at the famous Brooks Falls Lodge and see bears fishing along the famous Brooks Falls. This will require some planning, as reservations quickly fill up in September.
Kodiak: Kodiaks are a subspecies of the mainland grizzly, often much larger in size. Throughout September, Kodiak’s rivers are filled with Kodiak bears, chasing salmon and mingling with fishermen.
Lake Clark National Park: An excellent alternative to Katmai, Lake Clark also has a variety of bear viewing tours out of Homer and Anchorage.
Valdez: Brown bears are not the only bears drawn to the surplus of salmon in the rivers. Black bears are also abundant. Head over to Valdez and the local fish hatchery to catch sight of black bears fishing along the river.
See the Northern Lights
September marks when darkness returns to the Last Frontier and the days of the midnight sun come to an end. This means that it is the perfect time to catch sight of the Northern Lights while the weather is still mild and there is plenty of daylight to still enjoy a day of activity.
Fairbanks: Head to Fairbanks if you want to see the Northern Lights, and plan to spend at least three nights there to maximize your chances. Seeing this spectacular phenomenon will require an active solar flare and clear skies, so you will want to increase your chances with more time.
Chena Hot Springs Resort: If you want to experience the lights in maximum comfort, book a night at the Chena Hot Springs Resort, just outside of Fairbanks. Not only will you be surrounded by pristine darkness, but you will also have the luxury of enjoying the lights in the outdoor hot spring.
