Planning our trip and need some advice from travelers who are familiar with Alaska. We are interested in renting a car and visiting part of Alaska. We love the outdoors. Can't hike like we used to but still enjoy some easier hikes and driving to enjoy nature. We had thought maybe flying into Fairbanks as closer to Denali State Park. Is that the best idea? For first timers, would you recommend that area? We are not really big city people. We like off the beaten path. Also recommend places to stay please. We like a central location to stay the entire time. Whether it be a cabin or a motel doesn't matter. Thanking you in advance for your shared knowledge.

I don't know about the Fairbanks area. We flew to Homer, rented a car, spent a few days there and drove to Anchorage. I really liked Homer. I don't know about hiking in the area- am sure there are options

Lots to unpack here.

First, when in September and how many days will you be visiting? Things start closing down by late September, and even earlier in some places, like Denali National Park. In the park, the shuttle bus service that takes you partway into the park closes on Sept. 11 this year. There can be terrific fall color on the tundra by then, but the chances of wet and cool (or cold) weather increase the later you travel into the park.

Second, there's no "central location" where you can stay the whole time. Distances are simply too great for that.

What sort of budget do you have? If possible, I'd strongly suggest a flightseeing tour someplace. Denali is an obvious destination (flights from Talkeetna or Anchorage) but there are many flightseeing options all over.

I'd suggest you do a little research about other destinations in Alaska that you could visit in September. Look at the Kenai Peninsula including Seward and Homer, or some places in Southeast Alaska (fly, not drive.) You might even think about a one-way cruise south from Seward or Whittier to Vancouver. This can be a relatively inexpensive means to see the beautiful Inside Passage and some of the unique communities in that part of Alaska. The weather might not be ideal, but even in cloudy or misty days the landscapes are magical.

Research is the key.

Thanks! What did you like the most about the Homer area?

Hi Gardyloo, We are planning second week of September. Total 7 days. We like cold weather. Doesn't have to be Denali just thought it would be a good choice. Our budget is open. Just don't know about small planes. Now I sound like a wimp. Lol. We have never thought we were cruise people but it's an option. Being on a boat with a bunch of other people didn't sound very adventurous. Maybe we're wrong. I guess basically I have no idea the best place to go in Alaska in September or any month for that much.

I would go to Fairbanks if you are early enough to get on one of the bus tours the Park service runs. The tundra is magnificent then. If it is not cloudy, look from the airport when you land and see Denali from there. It amazed me to see it from there

Seven days is not very long given the size and diversity of Alaska. Let me give you a couple of scenarios to consider; you'd need to do some (quick) research to see what might appeal.

1. Fly into Anchorage, 3 days to Denali (and back) including flightseeing (from Talkeetna) and one day riding the park shuttle bus into the park, followed by 3 days in Seward (and back) including a day cruise into Kenai Fjords NP, stop at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center enroute. One day in Anchorage before flight home.

2. City and bush - Fly into Anchorage, then next day fly to Nome, the historic goldrush town on the Bering Sea (around $320 round trip on Alaska Airlines.) Get a vehicle in Nome (several sources) and use it to explore the road system that radiates from Nome into the Seward Peninsula bush. The tundra will be in full autumn color and the plentiful wildlife will likely still be about - muskox, moose, caribou and reindeer, bears, foxes, umpteen birds. See the "last train to nowhere" (ruined 100+ year old locomotive stuck in the mud) and enjoy the local scene. Maybe some northern lights viewing, too. Two or three nights in Nome, then fly back to Anchorage, followed by three days of local touring - Whittier for a "26 glacier" cruise, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, day trip to Hatcher Pass and Independence Mine (beautiful drive, great history and easy walks through the scenery.) Home on the 7th night.

Of these, I'd definitely choose the second. Nome is way off the beaten path, but it provides relatively easy access to some terrific experiences and scenery. The day trips from Anchorage are very enjoyable and wouldn't require you to break camp every morning. The glacier cruise out of Whittier is on smooth water (while the Kenai Fjords cruises out of Seward are not - seasickness is a common problem.) To me, the combination of near-wilderness in the north and the beauty of the country surrounding Anchorage is a terrific option for first timers.


Like I said, however, research is the key to making a decision. Google away!

we visited the end of June and 1st week of July. We had a couple of rainy days the rest of the weather was great. I loved the long days. We did a cruise with a land tour - went to Denali by train. I did like the cruise. We made sure we did something adventurous at every port. Took the train to Skagway, went whale watching, took a float plane ride- lots to do.

Our adventure in Homer was to take a boat to Halibut Cove. There is a restaurant there called the Saltry where we had dinner and then a walk to a couple of artist shops.
From Homer you can also do a day trip to see the bears. Its expensive and I did not do that but my cousin did and she got some great pics. You do have to fly in a small plane though.

In Sept some of the tourist places may be closing down.

My very favorite thing we did on the trip was whale watching which I think we did at Juneau. We got to see them "bubble net feeding" which is amazing. You tube bubble net feeding and you will see what I mean.

It was all great.

Pick Gardyloo’s brain if he hasn’t provided enough info already. He REALLY knows his stuff re Alaska. Seven days is very (like VERY) short for Alaska. I have relatives in anchorage so have visited a few times an taken an inside passage cruise from Vancouver (flew home from anchorage) it was in early September and was the last cruise of the season before the ship repositioned. We had a couple of nice-ish days but a few were bloody cold and wet. We still had a great time - but it sure wasn’t hiking/walking weather for us

Thank you so much, I will research these ideas. You are so helpful.

I would suggest a visit to the library as a starting place. Alaska is huge and so you cannot do it all. September could have snow on the ground in Denali and as others have indicated, the National Park shuts down on the 11th. In 2021 when we were in Homer for a family wedding, we did Denali first, arriving in Anchorage on August 12th and we had two weeks. It had snowed already in Denali by the time we were back in Anchorage for our return home. Many of the hotels and cabins around Denali close as well by mid-September.

Also many places in Homer will be shutting down post Labor Day for lack of staff, once college kids go back to school and the waitstaff at many restaurants and hotels move on to their next adventures- ski resorts, Hawaii or elsewhere. The B & B we stayed in Homer generally closes for the season by mid-September. All that aside, you could have beautiful weather and it will definitely be less crowded than June,July and August, prime tourist season.

Following

Bookmarking for good info. Thank you.