Alaska is by far the largest state in the U.S. and it’s the place to be if you’re looking for an adventure!
Home to a huge variety of wildlife, epic glaciers, and rich culture, it’s no wonder that so many people add this place to their bucket lists.
Whether you’re looking to explore the city of Anchorage, search for the Northern lights in Fairbanks, or visit Denali National Park, Alaska has something to offer for everyone!
However, due to the state’s diverse landscapes, unpredictable climate, and remoteness, deciding what to pack for Alaska can often feel impossible!
Luckily, I’m here to help and have put together the ultimate Alaska packing list to help you with your trip…
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Putting together a packing list for Alaska is no easy task, so there are a couple of things you should know first…
Alaska is a bucket list destination for many, and to have the best experience you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the state’s geography, climate, and culture.
You’ll then be able to put together the ultimate travel list for Alaska!
Alaska is a HUGE state covering an impressive area of 663,000 sq miles. That makes it double the size of Texas, the country’s second-largest state!
Alaska is split up into 29 counties, although only a small percentage of the state has actually been urbanized. The rest is untouched wilderness which is why it’s such a great spot for wildlife watching.
You’ve got Denali National Park and Fairbanks which are located inland, while other popular destinations including Anchorage, Juneau, Valdez, and Whittier are all situated along the coast.
The key thing to consider when putting together an Alaska travel packing list is the climate.
As Alaska is such a large state, the climate between the different regions can sometimes differ dramatically.
Typically speaking, Northern Alaska is much colder throughout the year, especially during the winter. Whereas Southern Alaska remains warmer throughout.
Then you’ve got Eastern Alaska which often encounters extreme subarctic temperatures and Western Alaska whose climate is often determined by the Gulf of Alaska and the air systems from Canada.
Finally, there are some key regions to consider including the Alaska Range which is home to North America’s tallest mountain; Mount Denali.
You’ve also got Alaska’s northernmost towns and cities which are found along the Arctic coast!
Here’s some more information about the geography of Alaska to give you a better understanding of this state…
Like many of the other states in the U.S, Alaska has four key seasons; spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Spring generally runs between March and May but depending on the location, you’ll often find that some regions can encounter spring temperatures much later than others.
Summer is undeniably the best time to visit Alaska as it offers the warmest temperatures, fantastic wildlife-watching opportunities, and all the attractions are open for peak season.
This season falls between June and August and understandably it’s the busiest time to visit Alaska.
Fall arrives in the state at different times due to each region's location, but generally, it begins in early September and can sometimes be over by early October.
Then you’ve got the winter season which is the most extreme time to visit Alaska. Although you’ll have a great chance of spotting the Northern lights, temperatures can drop to -30°F.
Many of the tourist attractions are also shut during the winter months so that’s something to consider.
Here are a couple of more in-depth guides that you might find helpful when planning your trip…
One of the key things that draws people to Alaska aside from the wildlife and landscapes is the culture.
With over 100,000 years of human history, it’s no surprise that you’ll get to experience traditional dancing, listen to stories passed down from elders, and learn about the languages that are spoken here.
There are five groups of Alaskan natives in the state, and these are identified and separated by regions; namely the Arctic, Southcentral and Interior Alaska, Southwest Alaska, and the Inside Passage.
In fact, around 15% of the state’s population are Alaska Natives so you’ll have endless opportunities to learn about the 20 distinct cultures (yep, you read that right) that are found here.
Another interesting thing about Alaska is that around 300 different dialects are spoken in this state, although English is still the primary language.
Here’s some more information about Alaska’s native culture…
Before we dive into this Alaska trip packing list, you need to find the perfect bag for your travels!
This will depend on your travel style, the nature of your trip, and your budget. Either way, everyone’s preference is different so it’s important to pick something that will suit you.
When choosing the bag for you it’s important to consider the following…
When packing for Alaska you must choose a bag that’s suitable in size. This is especially the case if you’re planning to camp or hire a motorhome.
There are plenty of Alaska packing essentials that you’ll need, but you’ll first want to think about how long you’re traveling around the state for.
As this incredible destination is so huge, many people choose to visit for at least two weeks, while some travelers spend at least a month or two here.
If you’re packing for 2 weeks in Alaska then you’ll naturally need fewer things.
No matter where we’re traveling or for how long, we ALWAYS choose Osprey!
Due to their durability, quality, and value for money, my opinion is that these backpacks can’t be challenged.
In fact, my very first Osprey bag was a backpacking gift that I received seven years ago and it’s still going strong!
Next, you’ll need to decide what size bag you need and although many people opt for a 70-liter backpack you don’t really need one.
I genuinely think this is too big, especially if you’re going to be carrying it around a lot or you’re road-tripping the country and it needs to fit in your car/motorhome.
If you go for something this big you’ve also got the chance of going over the luggage allowance, which can cause a big dent in your wallet.
Everyone has their own preference, but I think that a 50-65 liter backpack gives you plenty of room for your clothes, essentials, and any other items.
Here are our 2 recommendations:
You’ll be packing plenty of travel necessities for Alaska but a day bag is one of the most important!
We tend to carry one 70-liter backpack between the two of us or two smaller backpacks - usually with a capacity of 50-65 liters.
No matter which option we choose, we ALWAYS carry at least one daypack with us. This is so we can keep our laptops, photography gear, and other valuables safe.
The difficult part is choosing a day bag as there are so many options.
For starters, there are sustainable backpacks, camera backpacks, and laptop-friendly backpacks… as you can imagine it can all get very overwhelming!
My recommendation again is an Osprey one (I know surprise, surprise) but it’s honestly lasted me for years!
Cazzy has an awesome day pack too that can fit loads in as it actually expands and contracts to your needs. If you’re interested in that one, you can read about it in our Tropicfeel Shell Backpack review…
Just to add another option into the mix; there are also some fantastic anti-theft bags out there including the Loctote Flak Sack!
Here are some things you should think about before choosing your day pack…
Our recommendations for Alaska:
Putting together a travel packing list for Alaska isn’t easy, and if you’re already struggling with what bag to choose then there is another option…
Have you considered roll-on luggage instead?
Whether you’re road-tripping around Alaska (which I highly recommend) or you’re basing yourself in one place, roll-on luggage can be a fantastic option.
Many people just aren’t fans of backpacks, and honestly, I definitely prefer taking roll-on luggage myself if we’re heading out on a short trip.
Not only are they easier to pack, but they’re much easier to get around the airport too.
There are plenty of awesome carry-on luggage options out there, but one of the BEST companies has to be Horizn Studios even though they’re more of a luxury brand.
Their products may be more expensive, but they have plenty of incredible features including in-built portable chargers.
Here’s some more information on Horizn Studios and the roll-on options they offer…
When thinking of things to pack for a trip to Alaska, less is definitely more - especially if you’re doing a road trip which is how many people choose to visit.
Aside from our current road trip around the world, our trips usually last between 2-3 months. For these kinds of trips, we usually just take one 70-liter backpack between the two of us.
This will give you enough room to pack all the Alaska travel essentials, and has a few other benefits too. This includes…
The last bullet point is probably the most important one!
Naturally, the season you visit will affect what you take. However, taking a smaller backpack means you won’t pack unnecessary items for the sake of it.
Your packing list for Alaska in autumn will look a lot different from the summer. Understandably, the cooler the temperatures, the more clothes you’ll need to pack (to wear as layers).
This is why you don’t want to over-pack other items!
Now, it’s time to dive into the ultimate Alaska packing list!
First of all, I’m going to go through the essentials for traveling in Alaska.
Then, I’ll dive into some of the other items you should take on your travels including some photography gear.
To make this packing checklist for Alaska easier to digest, I’ve split it up into six sections:
Putting together an Alaska travel packing list isn’t easy, as you’ll need to first decide how long your trips going to be!
However, this is what I’d include on my 2-week Alaska packing list…
Your Alaska packing list for summer is going to be full of lightweight items, whereas if you’re heading to the state in the fall or winter then you’ll need to pack some extras…
Although it includes many of the same items, here’s an Alaska travel checklist for women!
Your Packing list for Alaska in winter or autumn is going to look very different, so here are some other items that you’ll want to include…
Although this isn’t often a problem in other countries, it’s something you’ll want to consider when traveling through Alaska.
You’ll find that many of the large cities such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Whittier will have several laundromats where you can wash your clothes.
However, Alaska as a state is incredibly remote and you’ll find that many of the smaller towns and villages won’t have these kinds of facilities.
Generally though, you’ll find that guesthouses and hostels will offer laundry facilities/services.
Many of the campgrounds in Alaska also have laundry facilities that you can take advantage of, and you can always check that before you book.
Lastly, I always recommend carrying a soap/laundry bar on you for emergencies (e.g. if you run out of underwear) which you can use to wash smaller items in a sink.
If you’re wondering what things to pack for Alaska then a first aid kit needs to be at the top of your list!
No matter where you travel it’s likely that you’ll encounter some minor bruises, cuts, and scrapes along the way.
A first aid kit is vital for sorting these out and it takes up hardly any room in your bag.
Here are some items that we’d recommend you carry in your first aid kit…
If you don’t yet own a travel first aid kit, then here’s a good option to buy.
It contains the majority of what you need and you can then just add in any other items you want to take with you.
Plus, it’s small enough to tuck away in your backpack and not take up much space.
Here are some toiletries that you’ll want to include on this Alaska packing list…
As Alaska is very remote you’ll struggle to find ATMs in some parts of the state. However, you’ll have no problems in the large cities.
The issue you’ll have is that generally, all the ATMs charge fees to withdraw money from a foreign debit card unless you can find a branch of your bank.
Honestly, this is unlikely as the majority of banks in the state are all national institutions!
Now, the fees range in price but the ones you’ll want to avoid are the ATMs that you find in convenience stores. Fees here can be anywhere from $5 upwards, so it’s a total waste of money (and daylight robbery if you ask me).
To make sure you’re not getting ripped off you’ll want to double-check the screen before you withdraw any cash.
If you don’t want to pay these fees then I recommend getting a card that will help you avoid these charges which I’ll discuss in a minute…
I always recommend carrying more than one card on you during your trip as well, just in case you get into any sticky situations. In fact, we always take four with us!
Out of the four cards that we have…
Now, you’re probably thinking why do they carry so many cards?
Honestly, it’s for emergencies, and carrying them in separate places means we’re covered if one or two of them go missing e.g. our bags getting lost or stolen.
If you have several cards, you’ll always be able to withdraw money which will save you a lot of stress in the long run.
As I just mentioned the majority of banks in Alaska are national rather than international.
The most popular branch you’ll come across, and one of the best is the First National Bank Alaska. They have branches in all of Alaska’s major cities including Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.
Other banks that you may come across in Alaska include Denali State Bank, Credit Union, and Wells Fargo.
If you’re traveling to remote locations then you’ll need to get money out in advance, and this is where having two types of cards will come in handy.
This way, you can take advantage of two withdrawal limits rather than one!
We’ve tried plenty of travel cards over the years, and we’ve had some fantastic experiences with many of them.
However, Monzo and Revolut are our absolute favorites!
Just make sure you check if they’re available in your country of origin first, as they’re both UK-based cards.
These cards are a must for any Alaskan travel packing list in my opinion!
You can use both Monzo and Revolut at ATMs to withdraw money as you normally would and in stores/restaurants.
They can be used anywhere in the world, and the best part about them? You won’t be charged any currency conversion fees!
Monzo and Revolut are both entirely FREE to use which is another bonus and you’ll only pay a fee if you withdraw over a certain amount of money each month.
They’re also super easy to apply for as you just need to download each app and then enter your details. Your card will then be sent in the post, and you just need to activate them.
Just make sure that you’re selecting the ‘pay in local currency’ option when you use them as you’ll get a better exchange rate.
Both of these companies offer something special, and you can compare them by taking a look at our ‘Monzo Vs Revolut’ comparison guide.
For a more in-depth view, you may want to read our specific reviews on Revolut and Monzo.
However, if you’re struggling to decide you can always get both and take advantage of their individual benefits!
When putting together a checklist for Alaskan travel you NEED to make sure you’ve got all your important travel documents with you.
Always double and triple-check before you leave, and here’s a list in case you aren’t quite sure what to take…
Alaska is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world, let alone the United States!
Home to epic glaciers, some of North America’s tallest mountain peaks, and the longest coastline in the U.S. - the photo opportunities here are endless.
This state is also known for its fantastic wildlife-watching opportunities and if you’re lucky you’ll get to snap some shots of them!
To give you a quick idea, here’s a list of the photography gear that we’ve taken with us whilst traveling around Alaska.
If you love to travel the world, then the first thing I’d recommend you do is to invest in a DSLR camera!
This type of camera offers up so many awesome opportunities and is a must if you’re looking to up your photography game or simply capture some memories.
You’ll find tons of camera options on the market, but the best and most popular makes tend to be Canon, Nikon, and Sony.
We use the Sony A7iii and couldn’t recommend it enough, honestly, it’s been a game-changer.
From Thailand to Sri Lanka, and now Alaska, this camera has been all around the world with us and it never lets us down!
If you’ve already invested in a DSLR camera and you’ve fallen in love as we did, then the next step is to purchase a wide-angle lens.
Before our trip to Bali, we purchased one so we could capture the island’s epic landscapes and we weren’t disappointed.
A wide-angle lens opens up a whole new world in terms of photography, and you won’t want to shoot with anything else once you’ve purchased one of these!
It can often feel quite overwhelming when it comes to purchasing a wide-angle lens as it all depends on your camera’s make.
Luckily, Amazon has a handy tool that allows you to check whether a specific lens will fit your camera make and model.
Our travel blog is our baby, and we love writing blogs that will help our readers and taking photographs of magical destinations.
However, we’ve recently developed a new love for YouTube.
We love documenting our travels for everyone to see, and we’re currently uploading videos to our YouTube channel if you want to check them out!
This is another difficult choice to make, as there are so many fantastic blogging cameras to choose from…
We recommend the Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II as you’re guaranteed fantastic sound recording which is vital for YouTube, and excellent-quality photography.
No matter where we travel we always keep our DSLR camera on us, but sometimes it’s just not convenient to be lugging it around all day.
This is why having a smaller handheld camera is extremely useful!
If you’re putting together an Alaska packing list for winter then you’re not going to need an underwater camera, as the water temperatures here will be far too cold to swim.
However, if you’re heading to the state in the summer I’d definitely recommend taking one along, as Alaska does encounter hot days!
Not only that, but if you’re looking to complete the ultimate Alaska bucket list then you’re likely to be doing a lot of hiking and other adventure activities - even during the winter.
This may include kayaking to glaciers, heading out on a wildlife cruise within the Kenai Fjords, going dog sledding, or admiring the views on a flightseeing tour!
For this reason, I highly recommend taking an action camera no matter what time of year you travel.
The most popular brand of action camera out there is the GoPro due to its fantastic quality. With 4K footage, image stabilization, and an incredible fisheye lens, the newest models have a lot to offer!
Now, there’s no denying that GoPros are expensive, but luckily there are plenty of GoPro alternatives out there.
Just keep in mind that many of the alternatives won’t offer the same quality or specifications!
Although flying a drone can be intimidating at first, they’re a great way to up your photography game!
Drones offer you a chance to see landscapes from above and enjoy epic vistas that you’d never be able to see otherwise.
If you’re looking to get a drone then I’d recommend the DJI Mini 2 as it’s one of the best options on the market!
Due to its weight of less than 250g, the DJI Mini 2 is lower than most weight restrictions across Alaska. Here’s some more information about the drone rules in Alaska as they’re some of the strictest in the country!
The DJI Mini 2 also offers amazing-quality images and footage, charges quickly, and is great value for money. However, if you don’t mind spending a bit more then you can check out the DJI Mini 3 too.
We’ve got an in-depth guide on the best travel drones, so why not take a read before making your decision?
Make sure you don’t forget about your health and safety during your travels to Alaska!
Here are a couple of things that you should take with you…
Although it’s always best to pack light, there are a couple of things that might come in handy if you’ve got the extra room…
Now we’ve covered the essentials of any Alaska packing list, here are a couple of things that you won’t need to pack…
Here are a few other things that we don’t usually take, but that you may find helpful if you’ve got some extra space…
Here are some final travel tips that you might want to look at whilst putting together the ultimate packing list for Alaskan travel…
Although we usually suggest buying smaller items at home anyway, you’ll definitely want to purchase some of your Alaska travel essentials before you get into the state.
You’ll have no problems buying items in the larger cities such as Anchorage and Fairbanks, but otherwise, the state is very remote.
There will be stores and supermarkets dotted around, but if they’re in the middle of nowhere then it’s likely you’ll be paying extra for your items.
When you’re putting together a packing list for travel to Alaska, you’ll need to consider where in the state you’re visiting.
As previously mentioned, the climate will differ depending on which region you’re traveling to.
If you’re heading to North Alaska then you’ll need to pack for cooler temperatures, whereas Southern Alaska is often much milder.
The state’s mountain ranges will also affect the climate and weather conditions.
No matter what time of year you visit, the weather in Alaska can be extremely unpredictable.
For some destinations, you can decide what to pack in advance based on the weather forecast but that’s not really the case here!
In one day, you can easily experience sun, rain, snow, and wind so you need to pack accordingly. Take plenty of layers with you, and don’t forget your raincoat.
Doing a road trip is hands down the BEST way to explore Alaska.
As it’s such a huge state, hiring a vehicle allows you to visit some hidden destinations and you won’t be restricted to public transport timetables.
If you can, I’d highly recommend hiring a campervan or motorhome. This way, you’ll have a little home on wheels and you’ll save loads of money on accommodation by staying at campsites.
In many places, you can easily get around in a pair of trainers or flat shoes but it all depends on where you’re visiting in Alaska.
If you’re planning to spend the majority of your time in the cities then trainers will be just fine, although you’ll still want to make sure they’re great quality.
However, if you’re looking to hit some of the hiking trails and explore the mountains, then I highly recommend investing in a good-quality pair of hiking boots. Just make sure you wear them in before you get here!
As you can see, creating a packing list for travel to Alaska isn’t easy!
What you take with you will all depend on the duration of your trip, the places in Alaska that you’re visiting, and the season you’re traveling in.
Your packing list will also vary depending on the activities you’ll be doing here e.g. hiking in the mountains or national parks, going on a wildlife cruise, or rafting down the rapids.
Hopefully, this guide has given you an idea of the backpacking/travel essentials for Alaska you may need!
If you’ve found this travel packing list helpful then there’s plenty more where that came from…
We’ve created a whole range of travel packing lists for a wide variety of countries including Iceland, Peru, India, and Mexico.
For help planning the rest of your Alaska adventure, here are some other guides you might find useful:
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