Photo: Kyle Frost (Unsplash License)
3 landscapes · 8
Alaska is a magical place full of amazing natural beauty and incredible animals. This northern state has everything from towering mountains and icy glaciers to deep forests and shimmering rivers. You might see animals like bears and moose wandering around in the wild. Alaska’s nature is full of surprises, and its landscapes are unlike anything else you'll find!
Climate Overview
Alaska's climate is diverse, from icy cold in the north to mild rainforests in the south. Weather can be unpredictable, so it's a good idea to dress in layers!
-30°F to 30°F · Usually low in the colder interior, though coastal areas can be snowier and wetter
Spectacular Northern Lights dancing in the sky, icy landscapes, and in the far north the sun stays below the horizon for weeks of winter darkness
50°F to 70°F · Low to Moderate
Green forests, amazing wildlife, and in the far north the midnight sun, weeks when the sun never fully sets
30°F to 50°F · Moderate, with frequent coastal rain and early snow in colder inland areas
Leaves turning brilliant colors, salmon making journeys upstream, cooler temperatures
Best time: Summer, when the ice caves are most accessible.
Why it stands out: It contains stunningly vibrant blue ice caves!
Best time: Summer, for best hiking and wildlife viewing.
Why it stands out: The tallest mountain in North America!
Best time: Summer, for boat tours and wildlife spotting.
Why it stands out: Home to nearly 40 glaciers!
Alaska's mountains reach for the sky, with snowy peaks and tough, rocky paths. They are strong and beautiful.
Lives here: Mountain goats, grizzly bears, and bald eagles live on and around the mountains.
The tundra is a chilly, flat area with no trees, covered in grasses and tiny plants. During winter, it looks like a snowy blanket.
Lives here: Arctic foxes, lemmings, and ptarmigans are some of the creatures you'll find here.
Alaska's coasts are rugged, with tidewater glaciers that calve icebergs straight into the sea and the sheltered waterway called the Inside Passage.
Lives here: Whales, sea lions, sea otters, and starfish are just a few highlights of the sea life along the coast.
Conservation Spotlight
13%
of Alaska's glacier-covered area was lost from 1985 to 2020
Glacier Melting
What kids can do:
Did you know that Alaska is about twice the size of Texas? Discover its amazing wildlife and incredible landscapes!
