What to Pack for Alaska – The Complete Alaska Summer Packing List (38 Items!)
Are you wondering what to wear in Alaska? Trying to get ready and pack for Alaska? Not quite sure, what you should bring? No worries! I will help you prepare a complete Alaska packing list.
In this post, we will include a complete packing list for Alaska. When we went to Alaska I packed completely wrong. In my head, I thought Alaska is cold and we will need sweatshirts and pants and snow gear. The clothes for Alaska I picked were totally wrong!
We arrived in June with 80-degree weather. It was beautiful! I am excited to help you get started packing for Alaska. (Alaska Summer Packing List) So you do not make the same mistakes I did!
Let’s get started with the complete Alaska summer packing list!
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Q&A Alaska Packing List
Before we jump into all the products I think are great for this Alaska packing list, let’s answer a few common questions when planning your first trip to Alaska.
Is Alaska Cold All Year-Round?
No, this was my big mistake. Summer is actually warm and nice in Alaska. We experienced 80-degree weather in June.
Do I Need Base Layers?
No, in the summer you do not need to buy long johns or extra layers to keep you warm.
Do I Need to Pack Summer Clothes?
Short sleeve shirts are great. Many in our group wore shorts. It is also very comfortable to wear lightweight pants. Don’t pack winter clothes in the summer!
What are the Best Clothes for Alaska?
I recommend lightweight, water-resistant sportswear. Alaska is the Last Frontier you will want to dress casually. If most of your adventures are outside I recommend workout clothes that are breathable.
1. Clothes for Alaska - Shirts
I am going to recommend bringing layers (not a base layer). I mean short sleeve shirt and a sweatshirt for your Alaska packing summer list. That way when you get hot you can take of the sweatshirt.
Recommendations
- Short Sleeve Shirt
- Long Sleeve Shirt (Lightweight)
- Sweatshirt
The closer to the ocean you are the cooler it is going to be. If you are planning on visiting Seward or other popular sea towns bring a sweatshirt. If you are mainly going to be inland in Anchorage or Fairbanks, you won’t really need a sweatshirt during the summer.
2. Clothes for Alaska - Pants
In some areas, it really is warm enough to wear shorts. However, I don’t recommend bringing too many mainly because the mosquitos are insane! I would recommend lightweight jogger pants.
These types of pants are light and comfortable. These pants are also a great way for packing light for Alaska. For kids, we packed jogging pants and jeans.
If you plan to hike, I would also recommend bringing workout clothes for those days.
Jeans are okay but they do take up a lot of space in your suitcase.
Recommendations
I have all of these jogging pants below. They are awesome! If you are thinking about what to wear in Alaska in June these are perfect! Really any summer month.
3. Shoes for Alaska - Hiking Shoes
One of the things I made sure to include on my Alaska summer packing list and buy before we went to Alaska was hiking shoes. I knew we would be hiking a Denali National Park and Kenai National Park and wanted to make sure everyone in my family had good shoes.
Recommendations
The top brands we looked at were:
We ended up buying Colombia. We thought they were really comfortable. It was a good choice. I highly recommend adding hiking shoes to your Alaska packing list.
4. Clothes for Alaska - Rain Gear and Light Jacket
It is good to pack a light jacket or rain jacket. We didn’t hit a lot of rain in the summer months but it is always good to be prepared.
The light jacket can be used for the morning until it is warm enough to go without. If you are near the ocean you will probably want to have it the entire day. It really is a great item to include on your packing list for Alaska.
To save room in my suitcase and with the idea of packing light for Alaska, I would get one jacket that can serve two purposes: keep you dry and keep you warm. I also would pack some ponchos if you are hiking and it starts to rain.
Recommendations
I recommend three options:
5. - 8. Useful Things to Pack for Alaska
5. Guide Book
If you are wondering what to pack for Alaska, an Alaska guidebook is extremely useful. I would recommend purchasing one before you go on your trip. I am going to link the milepost book below. This was amazing as we did an Alaska road trip from Fairbanks to Seward. Another great guidebook is Lonely Planet.
6. Sleep Mask
The best part of Alaska in the summer is the midnight sun! It is awesome, however, you may want to bring a sleep mask so you can get a good night’s sleep. This is a pretty important item to include in your packing list for Alaska.
7. Sun Glasses
If you are wondering what things to take to Alaska, make sure to pack your sunglasses. It might not be the first thing you think about for Alaska but it is beautiful and bright all day and night long in the summer!
8. Water Bottle
If you are planning on hiking, packing your favorite water bottle is a good option. You could also just run to Costco and buy a big pack once you get to Alaska.
9. - 17. Alaska Packing List Hiking Supplies
If you are planning on hiking in Alaska you will want to make sure you include a few things in your Alaska summer packing list. A good hiking backpack filled with the following recommended items.
Recommendations
If you are planning on camping you will need to bring additional camping items. Don’t forget to pack any meds you or your family may need.
Alaska Packing Tips
I have given a few Alaska packing tips throughout this post, but here are a few more so you can feel ready to pack and enjoy your trip.
Pack Light
Lightweight clothes are easy to wash. You will probably have access to a washer/dryer during your trip. Remember, that you can do laundry so don’t feel like you have to pack your entire closet! Packing light for Alaska is a good idea!
Think Casual
You will most likely be outside being one with nature. Bring clothes that can get dirty and enjoy yourself. The best clothes to wear in Alaska are those that fit your environment!
Think Comfort
Even if you plan to go out on the town. Most restaurants won’t mind if you are wearing jeans and a nice shirt. Nothing fancy!
Plan Ahead
Think of the activities you are going to participate in. If you are river rafting, bring a swimsuit…hiking…bring good shoes. All of these essential items should be in your Alaska summer packing list.
Complete Alaska Summer Packing List (38 total Items!)
The complete Alaska packing list is below. As you go through the items and you realize you do not have a certain item you need or want you can easily click on the links below and order whatever you need off of Amazon.
Outer Wear For Alaska
Hiking Gear For Alaska
Useful Things for Alaska
Electronics
- Phone
- Computer
- Chargers
Are you Ready to Pack for Alaska?
Hopefully, this Alaska packing list helps you know which clothes for Alaska are essential. Alaska is such an amazing place. Hopefully, you do not feel overwhelmed with all the things to bring to Alaska! I know I did when packing for Alaska in June!
Remember, the only things to take to Alaska are the ones you can’t buy while are there!!! Seriously, if you forget something you can run to the store! I hope you enjoy the Alaska trip packing list!
Want More Packing Help
I have a generic printable packing list that you can use as you pack for Alaska. Click on the link and I will email it to you.
Adventures in Alaska
We planned an amazing Alaska itinerary. We started with all the fun things to do in Fairbanks, including a Riverboat tour, and a trip to the North Pole to visit Santa. Then headed to Denali National Park.
We stopped in Talkeetna and took a flightseeing tour that actually landed on Mt. Denali. We also spent some time in Anchorage. We took a road trip from Anchorage to Seward. We enjoyed all the things to do in Seward. It was incredible and we loved visiting. We love Alaska and highly recommend planning a trip!
Facebook Community
If you have any questions be sure to join my Facebook Travel Community This great community can help answer any questions you may have about your upcoming trips. Plus, I try to add any great deals or promotions that companies send me!
Alaska is on my someday list, so I’ll definitely use this packing list in the future – thanks for sharing!
It is a great bucketlist place!
Alaska certainly does require a special packing list! Great resource!
For sure!
Great list! I haven’t been to Alaska yet, but we had a similar plan when we went to the Pacific Northwest last summer. We planned for warmer days and cooler nights. Having a mixture of different types of clothes gave us choices.
Yes, I packed totally wrong for Alaska….haha totally thought it would be cold!
Great suggestions for a trip to Alaska! I hope I get to use your packing list someday!
It would be amazing!
Alaska is on my bucket list. This is such a useful resource. Packing lists can be overwhelming!
I obviously packed wrong for Alaska, I wish I would have known it was going to be 80 degrees
Your post is well done and very informative. I now want to pack and go. Amazing photos and I can’t wait to get there one day soon.
Thanks, It was such a great trip!
Alaska is definitely on my list! Wouldn’t have guessed it that it hit the 80s in the summer.
I know right!
These are really great tips!
Thanks!
A trip to Alaska is on my list. I will be using your checklist to make sure we are prepared. Loved all the photos.
Oh good!
Great list! Will definitely come in handy when we make it out to Alaska!
Yes,you have got to go!
Wonderful list! Now I only need a ticket 😊
I know last summer we found some very cheap tickets….I wasn’t even planning to go, especailly as a family trip since I have 4 kiddos…..but tickets where $200 so we had to go…and I am so glad we did!
This is an amazing list! Lisa has previously lived in Alaska and was very happy to see that you included the Mile Post! Thank you for sharing.
Alaska is so amazing! Thanks!
I would love to go hiking in Alaska. I was surprised to learn that it can get to 80 degrees there in summer. Thanks for all the tips on what you pack for Alaska in the summer.
It was warm! Wasn’t expecting that at all!
It’s so weird thinking of Alaska as anything but cold and snowy 😅
I know, it blew my mind!
I would have never guessed it would get so warm in summertime. Good to know.
I know right! I was totally off!
I too would have packed heavier clothes. Your tips on what to pack for Alaska in the summer. A rain jacket seems to be a must.
I wish I would have known because I heavy clothes fill up the suitcase faster.
Good to know what to pack for Alaska. I would never have thought it was that warm.
I know! I was totally unprepared!
Thanks for this list! We are giving the kids a trip for Christmas, traveling in June, and I am trying to incorporate practical gifts to give them. They def don’t need new winter coats, but will need a sleep mask! 😜
Yes! For sure! We went in June and it was 80 degrees! It was amazing!