Packing List for Alaska: Glaciers, Wildlife, and Wilderness
Everything you need to pack for Alaska covering layering systems for unpredictable weather, wildlife viewing gear, cruise and ferry essentials, and equipment for glacier hikes and outdoor adventures.
Pack moisture-wicking base layers for top and bottom
Merino wool base layers regulate temperature from 5 to 20 degrees Celsius without overheating. Bring 2-3 lightweight tops and 2 bottoms. Synthetic alternatives dry faster but develop odor. Cotton is the worst choice for Alaska as it retains moisture and chills you in cold wind.
Bring insulating mid-layers like fleece or down
A 200-weight fleece jacket and a lightweight down or synthetic puffy provide warmth for glacier visits and evening wildlife watching. Down packs smaller but loses insulation when wet. Layering two mid-layers handles temperatures from 10 degrees down to minus 5.
Pack a waterproof and windproof outer shell jacket
Alaska weather changes within an hour. Rain, wind, and spray from glaciers and boats demand a fully waterproof hard-shell jacket with sealed seams. Gore-Tex or equivalent breathable waterproofing prevents overheating on hikes while keeping rain out. A hood that cinches tight is essential.
Bring waterproof rain pants
Glacier boat tours, kayaking, and rainy trail hikes will soak your lower body. Waterproof over-pants that pull on over hiking pants keep you dry. Side zippers make them easy to put on and off without removing boots.
Pack warm hat, gloves, and a fleece neck gaiter
Glacier faces and open water create cold micro-climates even in summer. Temperatures near glaciers run 5-10 degrees colder than surrounding areas. A fleece beanie, waterproof gloves, and neck gaiter weigh almost nothing and prevent miserable boat rides.
Footwear
Bring waterproof hiking boots with ankle support
Trail conditions in Denali, Kenai Fjords, and Tongass National Forest include mud, snow, river crossings, and loose rock. Waterproof boots with ankle support and aggressive tread are essential. Break them in at least 3 weeks before your trip. Glacier hikes require stiff soles that crampons can attach to.
Pack rubber rain boots for coastal excursions
Tidewater glacier landings, salmon stream visits, and shore excursions in Southeast Alaska involve wet gravel, mud, and shallow water. Knee-high rubber boots keep feet dry when stepping off tenders onto beaches. Packable rubber boots weigh under 500 grams per pair.
Bring warm wool socks in bulk
Pack 5-7 pairs of merino wool hiking socks. Wet, cold feet ruin outdoor experiences faster than anything else in Alaska. Wool maintains warmth when damp, unlike cotton. Bring liner socks for long hike days to reduce blister risk.
Wildlife Viewing Gear
Pack binoculars for bears, whales, and eagles
Alaska's wildlife viewing happens at distance. Bears fish at 50-100 meters, whales surface 200+ meters from boats, and bald eagles perch in tall spruce trees. Compact 8x42 or 10x42 binoculars make these sightings meaningful rather than frustrating squints at distant shapes.
Bring a camera with telephoto zoom lens
A 200-400mm zoom lens captures bears catching salmon and humpback whales breaching at realistic distances. Wildlife rarely cooperates by standing close. Bring extra memory cards as a single whale watching trip can produce hundreds of photos. A weather-sealed camera body handles Alaska's rain.
Pack bear spray for backcountry hiking
Bear spray is the most effective defense against brown bear encounters in Alaska. Carry it in a holster on your hip belt, not buried in your backpack. Practice drawing and deploying before hitting the trail. Available at outdoor shops in Anchorage, Juneau, and most gateway towns for 40-55 USD.
Bring a spotting scope or monocular for distant viewing
Denali's vast open tundra puts wildlife at distances beyond binocular range. A compact spotting scope at 20-60x magnification reveals grizzlies, caribou, and wolves on distant hillsides. A phone adapter lets you capture photos through the scope. Bus tour drivers carry scopes but personal ones allow longer viewing.
Cruise and Ferry Essentials
Pack formal and casual evening outfits for cruise ships
Alaska cruises have formal nights requiring suits or cocktail dresses, and casual nights where smart casual is expected. Pack 2 formal outfits and 4-5 casual dinner outfits for a 7-day cruise. Layering pieces double as outdoor gear by day and dining wear by night.
Bring a small daypack for port excursions
Shore excursion days require a daypack with rain gear, binoculars, camera, water, and snacks. Most excursions last 3-6 hours with limited access to the ship. A 20-liter pack handles all Alaskan port activities from glacier landings to dog sled camps.
Pack motion sickness remedies for inside passage waters
The Gulf of Alaska crossing and some open-water sections of the Inside Passage can be rough. Dramamine, sea bands, or scopolamine patches prevent seasickness on these stretches. Start medication before entering rough water as it is harder to treat once symptoms begin.
Bring power strip or multi-USB charger for cabin outlets
Cruise ship cabins typically have only 1-2 outlets shared between all devices. A small power strip or multi-port USB charger keeps phones, cameras, batteries, and tablets charged simultaneously. Verify cruise line allows power strips as some prohibit them.
Electronics and Practical Items
Pack a waterproof phone case for boat activities
Glacier boat tours, kayaking, and whale watching involve cold spray that damages electronics. A waterproof phone case rated to 10+ meters allows photos and videos without risk. Rinse the case with fresh water after saltwater exposure.
Bring a portable charger for long excursion days
Full-day excursions to Denali, Kenai Fjords, or remote fishing lodges have zero access to charging. A 10,000 mAh power bank provides 2-3 full phone charges. Camera batteries drain faster in cold temperatures, so carry at least 2 spares.
Pack a headlamp for camping and late-season aurora viewing
Summer in Alaska has 18-22 hours of daylight, but a headlamp is still useful for tent camping, early morning fishing, and late-season aurora viewing in August and September. A red light mode preserves night vision for northern lights photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important thing to pack for Alaska?
A waterproof outer layer. Rain is the single most common weather condition in coastal Alaska from May through September. A quality waterproof jacket with sealed seams transforms a miserable glacier boat tour into an enjoyable experience. Layering underneath handles temperature changes, but without waterproofing the entire system fails.
Do I need bear spray in Alaska?
Bear spray is recommended for any backcountry hiking in Alaska, including popular trails in Denali, Katmai, and the Kenai Peninsula. Guided tours typically provide spray or do not require it. Solo hikers and anyone outside established campgrounds should carry it in an accessible hip holster. Available at outdoor shops in gateway towns for 40-55 USD.
What should I pack for an Alaska cruise in summer?
Pack layers from t-shirts to a waterproof shell, formal evening wear for 2 formal nights, comfortable excursion clothing, waterproof boots or shoes, binoculars, and a warm hat. Daytime temperatures range from 8-18 degrees Celsius, dropping near glaciers. The combination of outdoor excursion gear and cruise evening wear makes Alaska cruises a heavier-packing trip than most.
Is it cold in Alaska in summer?
Alaska summer temperatures range from 10-20 degrees Celsius along the coast and 15-25 degrees in the interior. Near glaciers, temperatures drop to 2-8 degrees with cold wind. Rain is frequent along the coast. The weather changes rapidly from sun to rain within an hour. Pack for a range of 2-25 degrees and you will be prepared for any Alaskan summer day.