Alaska Packing List: What To Pack for a Summer Trip + Outfit Ideas
I created this Alaska packing list to help you decide what to bring and what to wear for your epic summer adventure.
When deciding what to take in my carry-on for my 5-day summer trip to Alaska, I brought something for all four seasons and was not disappointed. In this guide, I share clothing and gear ideas for those planning sightseeing, hiking, sea kayaking, or on a day cruise to watch wildlife.
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What is the Weather Like in Alaska During the Summer?
I know I’m stating the obvious, but Alaska is huge, so the weather will vary greatly depending on where you go.
May through September is the most popular tourist season; temperatures range from the 30s to the 70s degrees Fahrenheit. Summer is also the time of the midnight sun, which means the days are long and the nights are short.
If you’re along the coast, remember it’s a temperate rainforest, and it rains often.
When planning your trip, your best bet is to watch the local weather and 10-day forecast before you leave and prepare for all four seasons.
The Overall Vibe
In Alaska, everyone is in outdoor adventure apparel or jeans and leggings, from the coffee shops to the restaurants. You don’t have to bring anything fancy (unless you plan on attending a wedding).
Helpful Summer Alaska Packing List
Below is the perfect packing list for your summer trip to Alaska. It includes everything you need for sightseeing, hiking, kayaking, and doing a day cruise to watch for wildlife. Layering is essential to staying warm and dry while planning your trip to the northern latitudes.
Clothing
Fleece/warm leggings: Black fleece leggings are versatile. You can wear them hiking and then out to dinner. The fleece will help keep you warm when it’s cold and wet. I love my fast and free leggings from lululemon (but you can only buy them seasonally). I wore mine every single day.
Quick-drying pants: Bring pants made of synthetic fabrics that will dry quickly. They can be loose or tight, like a pair of black leggings that aren’t fleece. I’m a fan of lululemon Wunder Train leggings.
Thermal long-sleeve shirt: Wool is your friend when it is cold and damp. You can wear this shirt under your fleece jacket or sweater.
Fleece jacket/sweater: I wore a fleece jacket or sweater inside most places under my down jacket and/or rain jacket. It will help keep you warm. I packed my Patagonia Synchilla.
Rain pants: These pants should be big enough to wear as the outermost layer. This was one of the pieces of clothing I’m glad I decided to bring. It helped keep me dry and also acted as a windbreaker. I wore them almost every day. I got mine at REI.
Rain jacket: Your rain jacket should be big enough to be your outermost layer, protecting you from the wind and rain. I packed my lululemon Rain Rebel trench and The North Face jacket. I’m glad I had two different rain jackets to wear so one could dry out.
Light down jacket: A light down jacket will help insulate you. I wore my light-down Patagonia jacket every day — and everywhere.
Wool socks: Wool socks are best for comfort and keeping your feet warm and dry.
Quick-drying long-sleeve shirt: I took a few lululemon Swiftly long-sleeve shirts. They worked perfectly as my base layer. These shirts dry fast, weigh practically nothing, and are easy to pack.
Quick-drying undergarments: Bring what is the most comfortable. I only brought a carry-on, so I packed undergarments I could easily wash in the sink.
Bathing suit for the sauna: Depending on where you stay, you might want to go to a sauna or take a swim.
Footwear
Sandals: Bring hiking sandals, like Chacos or Tevas, that can get wet. You can wear them by the coast or to the sauna and pool.
Neoprene booties: If you plan on sea kayaking, call the place where you are kayaking to see if they offer neoprene booties or if you should bring your own.
Trail runners: I consider trail runners sneakers made for trail running. They are great town-to-trail shoes, so you don’t have to change them for short hikes. I’m obsessed with lululemon’s.
Waterproof boots: Bring water-resistant hiking boots. I’m glad I did because it was pretty wet when I explored the Kenai Peninsula in June. I love my Oboz.
Gaiters: These help waterproof your shoes and socks when it’s raining.
Crampons: If you’re going to be hiking on ice.
Accessories
Baseball cap: It will help keep your hair in place while it’s windy and the sun out of your face.
Beanie: You’ll be glad you have a beanie when it’s chilly outside.
Fleece gloves: I wore mine on the day cruise when I was outside; it was pretty cold.
Sunglasses + croakies/chums: Sunglasses protect your eyes from sunlight and intense glare off the water. The croakies/chums keep your sunglasses from falling off your face while kayaking.
Paddling gloves: My hands are sensitive, so I always bring my paddling gloves when I know I will be kayaking on trips.
Sun Buff: I like to pack a Buff neck gaiter. It can act as a scarf or protect your face from the wind and sun.
Jewelry: Bring what makes you comfortable, but leave anything of value at home. Alaskans are super laid back, and you don’t want to lose anything while exploring.
Water bottle: I always travel with a water bottle. It’s silly to pay $5 for airport water.
Binoculars: Pack these if you want to see some of the wildlife better.
Fanny pack: I like to use my lululemon 2.5L belt bag as a purse. It’s unassuming and convenient to put inside of my day pack.
Small day pack: I have a trail 25 pack from REI. It carries snacks, electronics, and layers during day expeditions. It’s excellent for hiking and sightseeing and is my personal item when flying.
Electronics
Phone and charger
Power bank for your phone: A power bank ensures your phone stays charged on the go. I take a lot of videos with mine, and the battery drains fast, so I always carry a power bank on trips.
Waterproof case for your phone
Camera and lens: I shoot most of my landscape images with a Sony a7iii and 28-70mm lens.
Planning Tip: I wish I had brought a more powerful lens for this trip to capture better wildlife images during the day cruise around Kenai Fjords National Park. I was trying to pack as light as possible.
Paperwork
Passport: If you are coming from another country outside of the U.S.
ID: If you don’t need your passport.
Copy of travel insurance plan
Reservation numbers for hotels and activities
Cash + credit cards
Toiletries
Toiletries: Check with the places you are staying so you don’t have to fly shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion. You might want to bring a little tube of sunscreen and definitely chapstick.
Depending on where you go, consider having bug and bear spray (buy it in Alaska if you think you’ll need it).
Personal products: Don’t forget to pack feminine hygiene products if needed.
Brush + hair ties
Medications
Glasses/contacts
Eye mask
Outfit Ideas for Alaska in the Summer
I went to the Kenai Fjords Peninsula in south central Alaska in June. It has a maritime climate where rain can happen almost every day. It was pretty cold and wet, with temperatures ranging from the 40s to the 60s degrees Fahrenheit when I was there.
I wanted to provide a few ideas for what I wore to help others avoid the stress of deciding what to bring. I’m also linking to some of my favorite items so our readers can see the products in detail and purchase them through our affiliate links.
These are examples of what I wore, but everyone’s body is different, so make sure you dress appropriately for your comfort and safety. The most important thing is to stay warm and dry.
Hiking Short Trails
Top: Thermal long-sleeve shirt with a sports bra.
Bottom: Fleece leggings if it’s cold or quick-dry leggings if it’s warmer.
Layers: Bring a light-down jacket and a rain jacket. If it’s going to rain, bring rain pants.
Shoes: Waterproof hiking boots and wool socks. Take your gaiters, too.
Accessories: If it’s chilly, bring your beanie and gloves. If it’s sunny, take your baseball cap and sunglasses. You’ll also want to bring your day pack with water, snacks, and camera equipment. Stash your layers in your bag if you get too hot.
Sightseeing + Wandering Around Small Towns
Top: Thermal long-sleeve shirt with a sports bra.
Bottom: Wear fleece leggings, or you can wear quick-dry leggings if it won’t be cold.
Layers: Bring a light-down jacket or a fleece and a rain jacket. If it’s going to rain, bring rain pants, too.
Shoes: Trail runners with wool socks.
Accessories: If it’s chilly, bring your beanie and gloves. If it’s sunny, bring your baseball cap and sunglasses. I also bring my belt bag, day pack, water, and camera gear.
Day Cruise to See Wildlife
Top: Thermal long-sleeve shirt with a sports bra.
Bottom: Fleece leggings
Layers: Bring a light-down jacket and a long rain jacket. If it’s going to rain, bring rain pants, too. The breeze on the ship’s deck got cold. I’m glad I brought my long rain jacket.
Shoes: Waterproof hiking boots or trail runners with wool socks.
Accessories: If it’s chilly, bring your beanie and gloves. If it’s sunny, bring your baseball cap and sunglasses. I also brought my belt bag and a day pack with water and camera gear.
Sea Kayaking
Top: Thermal long-sleeve shirt with a sports bra.
Bottom: Fleece leggings
Layers: If it’s going to rain, wear a fleece jacket under your rain jacket and bring rain pants.
Shoes: Check with the place you plan to paddle. They might require you to wear their neoprene boots, so you don’t have to buy any, or they might tell you to bring your own. We actually had to wear muck boots provided by the guiding company.
Accessories: If you need them, remember neoprene socks and paddling gloves. I also bring croakies/chums for my prescription sunglasses, a Buff to protect my face and neck, and a baseball cap.
Plan an epic trip to south central Alaska with our 5-day itinerary!
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