Visiting Alaska in May
The month of May is a hidden gem in Alaska. The days are long, the sun is shining, spring flowers bloom, and everything is waking up. May is one of the driest months of the year (usually) in Alaska. Most of the main roads in Alaska are clear of snow in May.
May is still considered the shoulder season in Alaska, so there are fewer travelers. Small cruise ships start sailing, some summer hotels start to open, and some activities may be available. June is the official start of the summer season in Alaska, but May in Alaska is ideal.
Enjoying the Alaska scenery in May
Is May a good month to visit Alaska?
May is a great month to visit Alaska! The weather in May is usually sunny and warm, with very few days of rain. May is still considered part of the off-season in Alaska. Therefore, you will find much better hotel prices, rental cars, and airfare.
Weather in Alaska in May
May is one of the driest months in Alaska. The days are long and filled with sunshine and little rain. The days can be pretty warm, but the nights can still be chilly.
Average temperatures and daylight for different cities in Alaska in May:
Juneau - 16 hours of daylight & 40 to 60 degrees (average 15 days of rain)
Anchorage - 17 hours of daylight & 40 to 60 degrees (average 3 days of rain)
Fairbanks - 18 hours of daylight & 30 to 65 degrees (average 3 days of rain)
Utqiagvik - 23 hours of daylight & 15 to 25 degrees (average 1 day of rain)
Spring ride up the Alyeska Tram in Girdwood
*Disclaimer - we are not weather fortune tellers. The weather in Alaska can be very unpredictable. Though we describe the average weather in May, we always recommend preparing for everything from snowstorms to sunscreen. Read more about what to pack for your trip to Alaska.
Does it rain in Alaska in May?
May is one of the least rainy months in Alaska. Anchorage has an average of 3 days of rain during May. It is generally rainier throughout the year in Southeast Alaska, including towns such as Juneau and Ketchikan. Juneau has an average of 15 days of rain during May.
Benefits of Visiting Alaska in May
We’ve shared that the weather in Alaska in May is usually great. It is one of the driest months, and the days are already very long. May is still considered the shoulder season in Alaska, so there are fewer travelers. It can sometimes feel like you have the whole state to yourself!
During the summer, you will share space with large tour buses of tourists and crowds, but there are virtually none in May. Because it is still the off-season, you can often find better prices on everything, including flight tickets, hotels, rental cars, and railroad excursions.
Visiting the Aialik Glacier on a Kenai Fjords National Park boat tour
Drawbacks of Visiting Alaska in May
May is a great month to visit Alaska, but there are a couple of drawbacks. Though prices for many things, such as hotels, are discounted, you will find that not all businesses are up and running in May. Some hotels and activities don’t open until mid-May or even June.
National Parks such as Denali National Park do not open the road into the park until the end of May, and the entire road does not open to park buses until June, when the road is completely clear of snow and ice. That said, you can still spend time closer to the park entrance and visiting the Winter Visitor Center. If you plan on hiking in Alaska, May can also be a difficult month as many trails are still covered in snow or deep mud.
Denali Park Road in Denali National Park
What to Do in Alaska in May
You can see and do so many things in Alaska in May! Here are a few of our recommendations.
Ride the Alaska Railroad
Take a Kenai Fjords National Park wildlife cruise in Seward
Join a guided fishing excursion in Homer
Go for a glacier trek on the Matanuska Glacier
Take a helicopter flight to dogsled on a glacier
Go flightseeing around Denali from Talkeetna
Meeting the puppies on a dogsledding glacier excursion
Contact us if you would like assistance in planning your dream trip to Alaska and booking fun activities!
Wildlife in Alaska in May
May is the month when wildlife starts to wake up in Alaska after its long winter hibernation. It is the season when babies are born, and the migration of birdlife starts to arrive in the north. Here is just some of the wildlife you can see in Alaska in May:
Marine Wildlife - gray whales, walrus, harbor seals, orca whales, and bowhead whales
Land Animals - Dall sheep, moose, mountain goats, and black bears
Bird Life - migratory songbirds, seabirds, sandpipers, and arctic terns
Moose in Denali National Park
Visit Alaska in May
Does May sound like the right month for you? Then contact us to design your trip to Alaska!
One of our groups in Talkeetna with a view of Denali
