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The Essential Alaska Packing List (Summer)

08/23/2021 by Kristin 5 Comments

Alaska is incredible in the summertime, with blooming wild flowers, active wildlife, and long days full of sunshine – sometimes. The thing about Alaska is, the weather can change all the time. I find that forecasts are almost never correct.

One moment I can be hiking outside in the sunshine, shocked that I’m somehow getting sunburned, and the next I’ll want to be bundled up with several layers and waterproof gloves.

The thing about Alaska is, you can’t necessarily expect it to be cold or warm. You can, however, expect that at some point it will be wet. So when it comes to climates that can change as much as Alaska in the summertime, I like to have layers and a few extra things to keep myself warm. Here’s my essential Alaska packing list:

alaska things to do
So gorgeous! Plan on sunshine sometimes.

Table of Contents

  • My Alaska Packing List:
  • Carry on only tips
  • If you’re backpacking
  • Photography equipment

My Alaska Packing List:

  • 1 waterproof jacket – this one perfectly matches the color of the fireweed pictured below!
  • 1-2 performance wool or fleece jackets
  • 1 puffy vest
  • 2-3 warm leggings
  • 1-2 jeans
  • Enough thick socks and undies for a week (wash if staying longer)
  • 2-3 long-sleeved base layers, some thermal and some lighter
  • a beanie
  • a hat for sun protection
  • 1 pair hiking boots if hiking
  • 1 pair closed-toed sandals like these, good for anything involving water or for when you don’t want to wear boots
  • 2 sports bras as needed

Carry on only tips

alaska packing list
You can do it!

It’s totally possible to go carry-on only in Alaska, especially if you aren’t going to be using a tent or other specialized hiking equipment. I make it possible by using a packing cube to roll and compress my clothing. I also bringing one pair of shoes for hiking in and wearing them on the plane, and I wear my heaviest jacket on board too. It’s always cold on flights anyway!

Most mid-range hotels in Alaska have washing machines, so if you bring enough clothing for a week, you can wash and wear your outfits again. If you bring layers, then you can mix and match so it doesn’t always look like you’re wearing the same thing – bonus!

Watch how I go carry on only in this video for more tips:

Additionally, I’ll often just hand wash undies in the shower and hang them on the back of a chair to dry in between washing machine washes. There’s often an AC unit I can park them in front of to make the drying process quicker.

If you’re backpacking

alaska packing list
Bundle up!

If you’re heading to the backcountry, you’ll have a lot of other important gear to bring along, including waterproof layers, waterproof gloves, lightweight layers that will keep you warm and dry, and of course all of the gear that goes along with a backpacking adventure like a tent and sleeping bag, etc.

In this case I’d alter the list above and replace it with this backpacking Alaska packing list and prep guide, complete with all of the gear that I have used for the past 2 summers on 8-day backpacking trips in Alaska.

The key is to stay warm and dry, and to keep things as light as possible.

Photography equipment

alaska packing list
Prepare to be wowed!

I’m super into photography, and there’s no way I’d head to Alaska without bringing along my camera, drone, and a solar charger to keep both powered up!

If you’re in the market for a camera, I highly recommend the Sony a6000. If you’re curious what I use, here’s a full guide to my equipment including my lenses.

I hope this list helps you to feel more prepared for the last frontier- truly one of the most beautiful places in the US, if not the world.

Pin me for later:

-Read Next-

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I'm Kristin, and my vision of a better world is one where more women are empowered and living out their dreams. Solo traveling is the best method I've found to become the best, bravest version of me. This site is all about how YOU can have the adventure of a lifetime in an easy, fun, approachable way, so that you can feel empowered, too. Want to learn more about me?

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Comments

  1. Ashlee says

    05/09/2021 at 4:24 pm

    Great loots with helpful suggestions. I hike a lot in Alaska and can’t figure out where your pictures are. I’d love to explore them. Can you tell me where they are?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/10/2021 at 7:12 am

      Wrangell st. Elias and the Talkneetna range 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jess W says

    06/21/2021 at 12:12 pm

    Maybe a silly question, but what pants are you wearing in the posted photos?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      06/22/2021 at 12:51 pm

      Lululemon and Prana 🙂

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    12/13/2022 at 3:51 pm

    This is so helpful thank you 🙂

    Reply

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