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September is a great month to visit Alaska. The weather is just starting to cool down but still warm and sunny during the day. Alaska has beautiful fall colors too! When you combine the fall colors with snow-capped mountains, it truly is a beautiful sight to see! The crowds are a lot fewer in September also.

We recently traveled to Alaska during September over a long weekend. The airfare in September from Phoenix was about $250 on Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines has some great weekend fares from Phoenix. If you have Alaska miles, fares tend to be between 12,500- 15,000 miles each way. If you need help getting started with traveling for nearly free, check out this post .

Here are some of the activities we enjoyed.

Things to do in Fall in Alaska

Hatcher Pass

In September, Hatcher Pass is still open for hiking. However you will need to be prepared to hike in a bit of snow when hiking to the summit lakes. This was one of our favorite activities. The drive to the top is gorgeous and there are many viewpoints along the way.

The hike, although when snowy can feel a bit slippery and scary, is fairly easy when following the trail.

After the hike, continue on the road for some of the most amazing mountain views and fall colors (pictured below). We made our way to a family cabin in Willow, Alaska after following this scenic road.

2. Four Wheeling

Four-Wheeling was my daughter’s favorite part of our trip to Alaska. We were lucky enough to use our friend’s four-wheelers. However, you can rent them from multiple places, such as Alaska Toy Rentals.

Come follow me on Instagram, where I share all of our trips. Check out the Highlights for stories on Alaska.

3. Matanuska Glacier

You can hike to Matanuska Glacier year around, but you will need a guide. We used Glacier-Tours and we had a great experience. Since you now have to book this tour in advance, it can be a little pricey for a family. It was $125 per adult and $25 per child for non-residents. The pictures below are from our winter tour in November.

Since we were planning on coming back in November, we waited until then to do the tour. Our experience was from late November and was pretty incredible. In the winter, you ride sleighs down to the glacier, but in the summer you walk. Both are different experiences but are equally impressive.

4. Boating/Kayaking/Fishing

I don’t think you can go to Alaska and not fish. Fishing is a great year-round activity. You have several options when choosing a boat or kayak to rent from in the area.

There are several lakes and bodies of water to experience boating and fishing. You can also do a kayak tour to see a Glacier! This is definitely something to add to your bucket list. We wanted to do this tour of Prince William Sound but weren’t able to fit it in this time. Check it out.

5. Explore Talkeetna

The charming town of Talkeetna is a great place to explore. Although small, there are many cute restaurants and shops to visit. You can also see Denali from Talkeetna on a clear day. We visited the Talkeetna Lodge and they have an amazing view of the Denali and Alaska Mountain range.

We purchased souvenirs and stopped for lunch at Mountain High Pizza Pie. We enjoyed eating on the outdoor patio and listening to live music. The pizza was pretty good too!

6. Scenic Seward Highway to Whittier

When driving south from Anchorage, you can drive the beautiful scenic Seward Highway. The highway connects Anchorage with the port city of Seward. The highway offers spectacular views of the Glaciers and snow-capped mountains. You can access Girdwood, Whittier, and Portage Glacier along the way.

We took the highway to Whittier. However, you will need to check the schedule for the tunnel openings to Whittier. There is a one-way tunnel leading into Whittier and the opening times vary. Check the times here. You will most likely have to wait on either side unless you have perfect timing. There is a fee to enter Whittier.

We also checked out the Alyeska Resort while in Girdwood. It is one of the only resort properties in Alaska. There is an aerial tram that you can take to the top of the mountain that offers spectacular views. You will need to purchase tickets to ride the seven-minute tram.

7. Hike to Byron Glacier

An easy short hike to a Glacier is the Byron Glacier Trailhead. The trail is 3.2 miles round-trip. It’s a great trail for kids as there is no incline and is mostly paved.

You can walk right onto the Glacier! The views from the glacier are spectacular as well. This trail also features a river.

Another great trail is the Portage pass trail. This trail leads you to beautiful views of Portage Glacier and Portage Lake. It is a 4.2 miles hike and is rated as moderate. However, this trail has a steep incline and can be difficult for some. The trailhead starts in Whittier.

I hope you are able to try some of these activities the next time you visit Alaska. Let me know in the comments if you have tried any of these!

Affiliate Disclosure: Melissa's Travel Addiction has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Melissa's Travel Addiction and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Why you should visit Alaska in September