Alaska Travel in October

October is an in-between time in Alaska. The summer adventures have ended and the winter fun has not yet begun. The days are getting shorter, the weather can be cold and rainy or even snowy, the salmon runs are over, and bears are preparing for hibernation. And while you can experience dazzling fall colors in early October, the leaves will have fallen by mid-month.

While October shouldn’t be your first choice for traveling to Alaska if it's your first time to the state, there are some bright lights:

• Because the crowds have cleared out, you’ll have much of the vast Alaskan wilderness to yourself. The hiking is sublime as long as the trails stay clear of snow.
• It's a great time to see the northern lights before it gets too cold.
• You can still visit the impressive Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park and hike the area trails (though the road is not plowed after the snow falls, and the visitor center is closed) or travel to Mile 30 inside Denali National Park as long as road conditions allow.
• As temperatures drop, head indoors to Alaska’s amazing museums.
• The fishing for trout and steelhead is great

Other Key Details

• October in Alaska has two very different faces: The first half offers one last glimpse of summer—relatively warm temperatures and longer days. But then Mother Nature turns her attention to winter, as the days get colder and shorter.
  
• That shift, of course, causes the foliage—shimmering yellows and golds of the aspen and birch trees—to light up the landscape. And as the trees start dropping their leaves, you’ll see even more dramatic scenery through them, as well as a thicker carpet of colorful leaves on the hiking trails.
• While you’ll spot some snow in mountains surrounding Anchorage, it doesn’t come to the city until the end of the month. In fact, you’ll find more clear days than in summertime. And the snowcapped mountain scenery is gorgeous, from when the sun hits it around 7:30 a.m. to when it sets around 7 or 8 p.m.

Things to Do in October in Cities Across Alaska

Anchorage

• Hit the trails. With temperatures in the 40s and 50s, it’s a great time to go hiking and walking. Just bring warm, waterproof clothes in case it snows or rains. Or hop on a bike with Alaska Trail Guides.
  
• Ride an ATV. Join Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours or Alaska ATV Adventures for an ATV ride through the Alaskan fall colors.
• Enjoy expanded nightlife. You’ll find more shows than in summer. Catch them at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.
• See animals. At The Alaska Zoo, you’ll find some of the state's unique creatures, programs for young kids, and lots of fun on Halloween.
• Ride the rails. The Aurora Winter Train runs on weekends to Fairbanks—or spend the night in Talkeetna. To get a glimpse of those who live off the grid, take the once-a-month Hurricane Turn Train to Hurricane Gulch. Or hop the Alaska Railroad Beer Train or Halloween Train.
• Rent a Campervan. River Wild Alaska Campervans feature a cozy heater, insulation, and all-weather tires. They're the perfect basecamp for fall camping, or to chase the aurora!
• Art Workshops Wild Starr Creations is not only a place to discover gorgeous creations from Alaskan artists—it’s also a community gathering space that hosts fun events focused on creating your own works of art.
• Warm Up. David Green Master Furrier located on 4th Avenue in Downtown Anchorage, has been in business for over 100 years. You can find vests, coats, earmuffs, scarfs, headbands, hats, gloves, boots and even stuffed animals, blankets or capes!
  

Whittier

• Take a glacier cruise. View massive tidewater glaciers and keep an eye out for wildlife on a Prince William Sound cruise out of Whittier, a little over an hour south of Anchorage. Lazy Otter Charters offers small-group sightseeing tours into Blackstone Bay all month, while the 26 Glacier Cruise operates through the first week of October.
  

Seward

• Walk to a glacier. With the crowds cleared out, it’s worth the drive to Seward to make the 30-minute walk up to the face of Exit Glacier. The road stays open until the snow falls.
• Take a wildlife cruise. While most companies have shut down for the year, Seward Ocean Excursions offers small-group custom charters year-round, and Major Marine Tours often offers trips during the first week or two.
• See marine life up close. Drop by the Alaska SeaLife Center, which is open year-round.
• Go for a walk. Stroll the waterfront trail and small boat harbor, crowd-free, and enjoy great water views.

Girdwood

• Ride the tram. Enjoy spectacular fall colors with a trip up the Alyeska Tram and get a bird’s-eye view from the top of Mt. Alyeska
• Ride an ATV. Join Alaska ATV Adventures for an ATV ride through the Alaskan fall colors.
• Take a romantic getaway. The Alyeska Hotel and its wonderful spa make for a great fall couples’ escape.
• Go for a hike. The Winner Creek Trail offers great hiking and walking year-round.
• Stay Awhile. Stay at Bob’s (founder of Alas​ka​.org) fam­i­ly cab­in in Gird­wood . It sleeps 8, the perfect size for a group or family. The cab­in is per­fect­ly locat­ed at the base of the ski resort, Alyeska. It’s just a few min­utes’ walk to Girdwood’s best shops and restau­rants, yet set apart from the bustle.

Portage

• See Alaskan Wildlife Up Close. Visit the Wildlife Conservation Center to see unique Alaskan animals and learn what’s being done to protect them.

Talkeetna

• Enjoy the nightlife.Take in the great live music at the Fairview Inn.
• Go flightseeing. Take a once-in-a-lifetime flight around Denali, North America's tallest peak.
  
• Grab a rod and reel. Fish for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and grayling with Phantom Salmon Charters.
• Ride the rails. The Alaska Railroad offers service in October on the Aurora Winter Train.

Denali

• Stay small. Most major hotels have closed, but a few small hotels and B&Bs remain open.
• Brush up on the park. The winter visitor center, the Murie Science & Learning Center, features lots of great information.
  
• Take a hike. You’ll find accessible trails from the Murie Science & Learning Center. If there’s snow, you can rent snowshoes—for free!
• Go camping. Riley Creek campground provides close proximity to the park and is the only campground open this time of year. There’s no fee, but there’s also no water on-site—it’s for hardy campers only!

Fairbanks

• Learn more. Check out the city’s great museums—the UA Museum of the North and Antique Auto Museum.
• See the northern lights. You can check them out on your own, or opt for a guided excursion or overnight experience. Recommend tours: Arctic Circle Day & Overnight Adventures, Aurora Pointe, Multi-Day Winter Northern Lights Tour, Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs, Borealis Basecamp clear-roofed igloos & Aurora Ice Fishing.
• Walk with reindeer. Visit Running Reindeer Ranch, where you can take reindeer for a walk and pose for photos.
• Take to the trails. Hike the Chena Riverwalk or the Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Ride the rails. Take the Alaska Railroad to Anchorage on Sundays (it also stops in Talkeetna).
• Check out the pipeline. Go for a drive and take a look at the feat of engineering that is the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
• Travel like a local. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, you can travel Interior Alaska Bus Lines’ route between Anchorage, Glennallen, Fairbanks, and Tok, making stops in off-the-beaten-path destinations.