There’s no place I’d rather be than Alaska in June! With the endless hours of daylight leading up to summer solstice, you can fit so many activities into your daily itinerary.
As someone who was born and raised in Alaska, I can tell you that a trip to Alaska in June won’t disappoint. You’ll get to enjoy the best of the summer season, and that includes the amazing weather.
If you’re considering a vacation to Alaska in the month of June, this guide will tell you everything you need to know to decide if this is a good time to visit.
I’ve included information about the weather, daylight hours, top events, what to pack and wear, and some of my favorite things to do in June.
5 Reasons to Visit Alaska in June
- Summer solstice! June 21 is the longest day of the year in Alaska, with nearly 24 hours of daylight hours in most cities.
- Avoid the rain. June is one of the driest months of the year in Alaska.
- Tours are operating. Summer tour operators kick off the season in mid to late May.
- Lots of events. You’ll have plenty of choices for many music festivals and other fun events.
- Farmer’s markets. Locally grown produce like potatoes, onions, carrots, and tomatoes, are available in June.
Weather in Alaska in June
Daylight in June
If you want to experience the midnight sun in Alaska at its peak then you’ll want to travel to Alaska in June. Fairbanks gets 24 hours of daylight on June 21, which is the summer solstice, and Anchorage receives 22 hours of daylight. With the long daylight hours, you can cross off everything on your to-do list.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Alaska in June?
If you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights in June, you’ll be disappointed. Unfortunately, the skies are too bright so it’s nearly impossible to spot the aurora borealis during June. If you want to see the Northern Lights in Alaska, I recommend traveling to Alaska in late August.
Does it rain in Alaska in June?
June is one of the driest months of the year in Alaska. This makes it the best time to visit Alaska if you want to avoid the rainy season. You may even consider booking your Alaska cruise during this time.
Temperature in June
June is when things start to really warm up in Alaska, and it feels amazing! It’s definitely not too cold to visit as the average daytime temperatures in Alaska range from the low 50s F in the Arctic to low 70°F in the Interior. Nighttime lows hover around mid to high 40°F across most of the state.
Here’s what warmer temperatures you can expect in different cities around the state:
- Average temperature in Anchorage, Alaska in June: 63°F (17°C)
- Average temperature in Fairbanks, Alaska in June: 70°F (21°C)
- Average temperature in Juneau, Alaska in June: 62°F (16°C)
Best Things to Do in Alaska in June
June gets a lot of daylight, which means you can enjoy activities all day long. Here are some of the best things to do in Alaska in June:
Salmon Fishing
If you want to fish for King salmon or Sockeye (red) salmon, head to Soldotna. The early run for King Salmon in the Kenai River usually begins in mid-May and continues until late June. Come back in early July for the late run. Sockeye salmon return to the Kenai River in late May. From mid-June, you can fly fish for sockeye at the confluence of the Kenai and Russian Rivers.
Visit Denali National Park in June
If you want to avoid peak season in Denali National Park then June is the best month to visit. You can expect fewer crowds in the park at this time as not as many busses operate in comparison to other summer months. In early June, the landscape changes to summer, and wildlife emerges to look for food. Unfortunately, so do the mosquitoes. Hopefully you get to join the 30% club and see Denali, the tallest peak in North America.
You can visit Denali National Park for free on June 19 in celebration of Juneteenth. This is one of the five free admission days for all National Park Service sites.
Whale Watching in June
June is a great month for whale watching in Alaska. I’ve been on a whale watching cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park on more than one occasion and I’ve always seen whales, mostly humpback whales. Juneau is another great place to see whales this time of year. The best part about whale watching in June is the weather, which makes getting on the water much more pleasant. You can spot a lot more when you’re out on the deck.
Early Season Hiking
Hiking is one of my favorite outdoor activities in Alaska, and long days in June mean you can spend all day hiking in the great outdoors! Although you can still find lots of snow-capped mountains at higher elevations, there are plenty of snow-free trails along the Turnagain Arm and other coastal areas.
Biking in Alaska
My second favorite outdoor activity to do in Alaska is biking. It’s the perfect thing to do when the snow is still melting and hiking trails are super muddy. Some of my favorite paved biking trails near Anchorage are the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and Bird to Gird.
Cruise in Alaska
June is the perfect time to take a cruise through Southeast Alaska. The cruise prices are slightly more expensive than in May, but cheaper than taking a cruise in July. If you don’t mind the prices, I would recommend choosing this time to enjoy some of the good weather.
Cruise ships traveling through the Inside Passage will have plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing. Travelers can see whales, sea otters, sea lions brown bears, bald eagles, and more! Plus, you’ll get to visit Glacier Bay National Park.
Festivals and Events in Alaska in June
There are plenty of music festivals and events to attend in Alaska in June. I’ve always wanted to go to the bluegrass festival in Trapper Creek, so hopefully I can make it one summer!
Here is a list of some of the best events in Alaska in June:
- Sitka Music Festival (May 28-June 23, Sitka)
- Spenard Jazz Fest (May 30-June 2, Anchorage)
- Trapper Creek Bluegrass Festival (May 30-June 2, Trapper Creek)
- Yakutat Tern Festival (May 30-June 2, Yakutat)
- Homer Halibut Festival (June, Homer)
- Three Barons Renaissance Fair (June 1-2, 8-9, Anchorage)
- Colony Days (June 7-9, Palmer)
- Sundown Solstice Festival (June 7-9, Anchorage)
- Kenai River Festival (June 8, Soldotna)
- Fairbanks Summer Folk Fest (June 8, Fairbanks)
- Last Frontier Theatre Conference (June 8-15, Valdez)
- Chickenstock (June 14-15, Chicken)
- Mountain Bike for Women Festival (June 15, Anchorage)
- Moose Pass Summer Solstice Festival (June 15-16, Moose Pass)
- Juneteenth Citywide Celebration (June 15-16, Anchorage)
- Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival (June 20-22, Seldovia)
- End of the Road Ren Fair (June 21-23, Valdez)
- Chugach Fest (June 21-23, Arctic Valley)
- Midnight Sun Festival (June 22, Fairbanks)
- Anchorage Pride Parade (June 29, Anchorage)
- Scottish Highland Games (June 29-30, Palmer)
What to Pack For Alaska in June
June is one of the first warm months in Alaska, so you can pack for summer weather. But keep in mind that early June feels a lot different than late June.
Expect the weather conditions to vary and change drastically throughout the day in different parts of Alaska. If you plan to go hiking, use this summer hiking gear checklist.
Most Alaskans dress pretty casual, even when in “fancy” restaurants. It’s common to go straight to dinner in the same clothes you spent the day adventuring in. So, dress for comfort.
No matter what your plans are, here is a quick list of what to wear in Alaska in June:
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Hiking boots
- Warm hat
- Light gloves
- Fleece sweater
- Windbreaker
For a full checklist, use my Alaska Summer Packing List.
Is June a good time to visit Alaska?
As a local, June is the prime time to visit Alaska. The weather is usually amazing and you will get to experience Alaska with slightly fewer crowds.
You can also enjoy all of the summer tours and festivals that are running, which make a visit in June a lot of fun.
But if you are hoping to see the Northern Lights, you will want to plan another trip during the winter months.
I hope this guide on visiting Alaska in June was helpful as you plan your Alaska vacation! Do you have any questions about your trip? Let me know in the comments.
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