Visiting Alaska in July
July is the month that Alaska is in full swing! Cruise ships, hotels, trains, and tours all operate at full strength, welcoming summer travelers to Alaska. In July, the days are long, wildlife is lively, hiking trails are fully accessible, and the weather is usually warm (although there tend to be more rainy days than you see in May and June).
July is the busiest month of the year for travelers in Alaska and for a good reason. We recommend planning long in advance if you want to visit Alaska in July!
July hike to Exit Glacier just outside of Seward
Is July a good month to visit Alaska?
Yes, July is a great month to visit Alaska. The season is in full swing, and you will find lots of activities to enjoy. In July, the trails are free of snow, and it is a great month for hiking. There is lots of daylight, and the weather is generally warm.
Weather in Alaska in July
July is the peak of summer in Alaska. The long and warm days make for ideal conditions to explore all of Alaska. In our experience, July is a little rainier than May and June.
Average temperatures and daylight for different cities in Alaska in July:
Juneau - 17 hours of daylight & 50 to 65 degrees (average 14 days of rain)
Anchorage - 18 hours of daylight & 55 to 65 degrees (average 7 days of rain)
Fairbanks - 20 hours of daylight & 50 to 75 degrees (average 9 days of rain)
Utqiagvik - 24 hours of daylight & 30 to 45 degrees (average 4 days of rain)
*Disclaimer - we are not weather fortune tellers. The weather in Alaska can be very unpredictable. Though we describe the average weather in July, we always recommend preparing for anything from snowstorms to sunscreen.
Read more about what to pack for your trip to Alaska.
Does it rain in Alaska in July?
July is a little rainier than May and June in Alaska. Anchorage has an average of 7 days of rain during July. It is generally rainier throughout the year in Southeast Alaska, in towns such as Ketchikan and Juneau. Juneau has an average of 14 days of rain during July.
Benefits of Visiting Alaska in July
Many of the benefits of visiting Alaska in July are similar to those in June. Long hours of daylight still make for good conditions to explore Alaska. Since July is the peak of the summer season, all the hotels are open, activities and tours are operating, and there are plenty of flights to Alaska.
All of the National Parks are open, and the little towns you visit, such as Talkeetna, Seward, Homer, and Girdwood, are vibrant and lively. The wildlife is very active in July as the young animals have found their footing and are busy eating. In July, all hiking trails should be accessible and in their best condition.
Hiking on the beach in Seward
Drawbacks of Visiting Alaska in July
With the many benefits of visiting Alaska in July, there are also some drawbacks. The main tourist season in Alaska is very short (only three months!) compared to many other destinations. This means that many people are trying to visit Alaska at the same time, making for larger crowds of people. The prices in July and other summer months are also higher than at other times of the year. This includes airfare, hotels, and rental cars. The short summer season can also make finding available rental cars and hotel rooms difficult.
We highly recommend that if you want to visit Alaska in July, make arrangements as soon as possible! This allows for better prices and a better selection of hotel rooms, rental cars, and activities. Contact us if you would like help planning your July trip to Alaska!
There are many travelers in Alaska in July
What to Do in Alaska in July
You can see and do so many things in Alaska in July! Here are a few of our recommendations.
Take a Kenai Fjords National Park wildlife cruise in Seward.
Go brown bear viewing with a naturalist in Homer
Kayak in Valdez with a local guide
Go for a glacier trek on the Matanuska Glacier
Go flightseeing around Denali from Talkeetna
Contact us if you would like assistance in planning your dream trip to Alaska and booking fun activities!
Wildlife in Alaska in July
In July, the wildlife is very active. The animals are out and about trying to get their fill during the short summer. It is possible to see a wide variety of animals all over the state. Here is just some of the wildlife you can see in Alaska in July:
Marine Wildlife - humpback whales, salmon, orca whales, sea otters, and Stellar sea lions
Land Animals - brown bears, Grizzly bears, Dall sheep, moose, mountain goats, and black bears
Bird Life - puffins, bald eagles, and shorebirds begin leaving Alaska
Brown bear viewing at Brooks Falls
Visit Alaska in July
Does July sound like the right month for you? Then contact us to design your trip to Alaska!
July helicopter flight in Knik
