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Are you looking for the best things to do during fall in Alaska? Perfect, I’ve got the list for you! Whether you’re a local or coming to Alaska on vacation, these places and activities will fill your fall with happiness and adventure!
First things first. If you want to get the most out of any season in Alaska, you need to get outside. The beauty of Alaska is there is always something to do outdoors during any season. You just need the right gear for the season you’re out in. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy as well, which I’ll be sure to include!
I know that technically fall doesn’t start until the end of September. I’m not very precise with my seasons, though, so for the sake of this list we’re going to call all of September, October, and November “fall” because that’s basically when it’s occurring here. So, lets get on with our list, shall we!
Berry Picking
Ripe berries and bloomed out fireweed are signs that my favorite season is upon us! Many people spend their fall picking, foraging, and canning. This year berries weren’t as plentiful and seemed to be ripe earlier in the season, but normally you can pick a variety of berries throughout September. People often pick after the first frost as they say it makes the berries sweeten up.
If you plan on berry picking be sure to identify the berries you’re picking correctly as some are poisonous. It’s best to go with an experienced berry picker, grab a berry identification guide like this one, and use the Seek app to confirm the berry type before picking. There are really a variety of things you can do with the berries, and it is a really enjoyable hobby.
The Alaska State Fair
The Alaska State Fair ends during the beginning of fall. If you find yourself in Alaska while the fair is going on, you should definitely make the trip. The Alaska State Fair takes place in Palmer, Alaska, and has a fantastic combination of foods, rides, games, Alaskan vendors and artists, a giant vegetable competition, livestock, concerts, shows, displays, and much more.
If you’d like to go to a fair or festival but won’t be making it to the Alaska State Fair, there are many other options. A quick search about events going on in the town you’ll be in should show you all the fall activities.
Fall Photography
I know the East Coast is the hot spot for beautiful autumn colors, but don’t count us northern places out! In my opinion, fall is the most beautiful time in Alaska. The mix of warm fall colors contrasting with the cold blue of glacial ice and the white caps on the shadowy mountains makes the views look surreal. It’s a photographers dream, and if you visit Alaska in fall you’ll get to view this scenery not only in photos but from behind the lens as well.
Garden Harvest
If you’re a local and have been dutifully tending to your garden all summer, now is the time you can reap the benefits of the rest of your work before winter comes. There’s nothing like that satisfying carrot pull after a long summer of growing, or picking potatoes for stew to start fall off right.
Scenic Drives
Fall drives in Alaska are my favorite. Of all the drives I’ve taken, the ones from Anchorage to Valdez and Anchorage to Denali are by far the best. Glaciers, mountains, lakes, tundra, rivers, and more span the sides of the highways, and give you breathtaking views that you won’t soon forget.
The Alaska Railroad
All aboard! Are you hoping to see Alaska’s fall colors without having to make the drive yourself? The Alaska Railroad might be the perfect option for you! Although I haven’t taken it yet, the railroad is definitely on my Alaska bucket list, and I hope to travel on it soon .
Hiking
Another great way to experience fall in Alaska is on your own two feet. There are an abundance of trails, many close to towns and cities, so you can easily find trails for any level of hiking experience. Fall weather brings cool hiking temps along with the views, so be sure to be prepared and layer up. Also, be bear aware! Don’t go if you don’t have proper bear protection that you know how to use, and follow the usual hiking safety rules (have first aid, let people know where you’re going, etc).
Fishing
There’s always good fishing in Alaska no matter what time of year. During fall you’ll be able to get silver salmon, rainbow trout, and more. If you want to fish but don’t want to invest in gear quite yet, or are just up visiting, check out the ”rod loaner program” with Alaska Department of Fish and Game. I’ve also heard that there are libraries that loan gear, too, but haven’t confirmed this yet, and there are businesses such as The Bait Shack that rent fishing gear, too.
Hunting
Fall in Alaska is when many residents look to fill their freezers with delicious, organic meat. The season is filled with packing (as I’m doing this weekend), scouting, hiking, processing game, and more. Many of the people who visit Alaska during this season have traveled to hunt, but other than that the tourist season begins to quiet down, so wherever you go is a bit less crowded than it is in the summer. This makes traveling around much easier, and you can get into places without a wait.
Preparing for Winter
This might sound like more of a chore than a fun activity, but really it’s both. Some of these things really are just chores, but others become hobbies. The things we need to do, such as filling our freezers, cleaning up gardens, storing away outdoor furniture, canning berries and vegetables, and more, just build excitement for the next beautiful season in Alaska.
Have I convinced you to visit Alaska in the fall yet? I hope so! Alaska is beautiful year-round, and especially so in fall. If you get the chance to visit our beautiful state and have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below!