14 things to know before traveling to Alaska

Alaska is bigger, colder and more remote than any other state. Pure, raw, unforgiving and humongous in scale, it calls to those with wanderlust and a strong sense of independence. There are few other places in the USA where you can scale an unclimbed mountain or walk where perhaps no human feet have trod before. While thrilling adventures can be had this far north, you need to know what pitfalls to avoid and take precautions.

Don't let the state's vast wilderness spook you and note these travel tips for visiting Alaska.

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1. You'll need to stay at least a week

You should stay in Alaska for at least a week to get a taste of the place, but an itinerary of 10–14 days will give you a proper overview. That’s enough time to take the Alaska Marine Highway from Bellingham, WA, to Skagway – one of the state’s great road trips – or to ride the rails from Fairbanks to Seward.

2. Book early

Alaska's summer season (May to September) is relatively short, and places to stay fill up quickly. Book accommodations at least 2 months in advance, especially in smaller towns where choices are limited. The same goes for campgrounds – you don't want to be stuck looking for a place to pitch in peak season.

3. That means excursions too

Dreaming about a paddle trip to an ice cave or a fly-in bear-spotting excursion? Big-ticket items can also get overbooked. Reserve before May for a summer visit to avoid disappointment.

4. Pack practically

Alaska's weather can be unpredictable, and the temperature and conditions can vary greatly with altitude and latitude. Be sure to pack a warm fleece and waterproof jacket and leggings, even in the summer. Take a hat and gloves year-round, and make sure your footwear is warm and durable, with good grip.

5. Bring an eye mask for summer nights

In high summer, it barely gets dark in Alaska, particularly in the far north. If you’re a sensitive sleeper, bring an eye mask. Hotel rooms have curtains, but tents don’t.

6. The mosquitos are ferocious

Everything is bigger in Alaska, even the mosquitoes. The muskeg swamplands are full of them, and they’re ferocious. So bring repellent with a high percentage of DEET.

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7. Renting a car might not be necessary

A large proportion of Alaska is off the road network, so renting a car to get around isn't always an advantage. Ferries connect the far-flung towns of the Alaska panhandle, Prince William Sound and the Alaska Peninsula, while bush planes are the only way to reach the remote, roadless expanses of the north and west.

Trains can deliver you to the gates of the state’s two most popular national parks – Denali and Kenai Fjords – and then buses will get you around inside. Buses also do a relatively good job linking Anchorage and Fairbanks to places as far apart as Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve, Tok, Chicken and Deadhorse on the Arctic Ocean.

8. Eating out is casual

Restaurant food is often expensive in Alaska, but eating out is casual. Restaurants rarely have strict dress codes, Alaskans don’t usually glam up for dinner, and it’s not necessary to reserve tables except at fancier places in Anchorage and Juneau. Meat and fish are staples; outside of cities and large towns, vegetarians and vegans may have less choice than they would in other parts of the US.

9. Some of the best bars are dives

While there are plenty of hip microbreweries in Alaska, you can’t really call yourself a bona fide sourdough (old-timer) until you’ve braved a beer in a dive bar full of grizzled folks sporting Klondike beards who are clustered around tables set over a carpet that hasn’t been cleaned since 1974.

10. Learn about Alaska Native culture

Alaska Natives make up around 16% of the state’s population. Many live in the 229 federally recognized villages, and their culture varies widely. Key communities include the Inupiat in the Arctic, Athabascans in the Interior, the Aleuts in the southwest, and Tlingits and Haidas in the panhandle.

The 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act gave Alaska Native corporations and villages title rights to 44 million acres of land. That might sound substantial, but it's about one-tenth of the state. Due to Alaska’s isolation and late colonization, the state harbors just one reservation – the Metlakatla Indian Community on Annette Island just south of Ketchikan – though a disproportionate number of Alaska Natives (25%) live below the poverty line.

Viewing totem poles will give you some insights into Alaska Native culture. Emblematic of the people of the southeast coast and British Columbia, these zoomorphic sculptures are loaded with cultural, historical and artistic significance. You’ll find an abundance of totem poles in the southeastern panhandle, particularly in Ketchikan’s Saxman Village and Totem Heritage Center and Sitka’s National Historical Park.

11. If you see bears, keep a safe distance

Black, brown (grizzly) and polar bears are found from the frozen wastes of the Arctic tundra to the parks of metro Anchorage. While you don’t want to let a fear of bears limit your adventures, it’s important to heed a few basic warnings and minimize your chance of a dangerous close encounter.

It’s highly advisable to carry bear spray if you’re spending any time hiking or biking on trails. Bears can show up unannounced anywhere – the heavily used Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage is no exception. Even joggers might want a strap-on belt to carry a bear spray canister. These defensive aerosol sprays contain red-pepper extract. Canisters cost 40–50 US dollars and are effective at ranges of 18–24ft but must be discharged downwind. Since you can’t take bear spray on airplanes, you’ll need to stock up on arrival in Alaska.

If you meet a bear on a trail, do not turn and run – even if you’re the world’s fastest sprinter, you can’t outrun a bear. Stop and remain still; make no sudden moves and begin talking calmly to the animal. Most bear charges are bluffs, with the animal veering off at the last minute. If an encounter is imminent, drop into a fetal position, place your hands behind your neck and play dead. If a bear continues biting you after you have assumed a defensive posture, then you must fight back vigorously.

12. All wild animals are unpredictable

Bears aren’t the only potentially dangerous animals. You also need to be careful around moose, cougars, musk oxen, elk and wolves. As a rule of thumb, all wild animals are unpredictable – give them enough space and don’t expect them to keep still and pose calmly for photos.

13. Hiking is not a casual affair in Alaska

Alaska’s backcountry can be brutal – bereft of phone reception, light on even basic facilities and lashed by fickle, often hostile weather. You’ll need to pay extra attention to the conditions when making hiking plans. Read trail reports, study maps, research recent wildlife activity, and investigate other potential pitfalls before setting out.

It’s always best to hike in groups or with a companion. If you’re going it alone, be sure to leave details about your itinerary with a responsible friend, a park ranger or staff at a visitors center. Always tell someone where you are going, when you are leaving and when you plan to be back. Some trails have sign-in boards at the trailhead as well.

Don’t even contemplate a day hike without taking the backcountry basics: bear spray, some method of water purification (tablets or a filter), energy bars, extra clothing (whatever the weather) and a mobile phone (which can also act as a flashlight, compass, altimeter and route finder).

14. Follow common sense safety precautions in cities

Like the wilderness, Alaska's cities can sometimes be rough around the edges. The crime rate is the highest among the states, driven by instances of assault and robbery. In general, crime is an urban phenomenon, especially in Anchorage. It’s unlikely you’ll face issues as a visitor if you follow basic common sense safety precautions, stay vigilant and stick to well-trodden routes in daylight hours.