Alaska Packing List: Everything We Packed for Alaska's National Parks

Packing for Alaska required more strategy than any other trip we've ever taken. Instead of packing for just one destination, we were packing for bush planes, glacier hikes, sea kayaking, ice climbing, camping, wildlife watching, long road trip days, and eight wildly different national parks.

Some mornings started in the low 40s. Some afternoons were warm enough for T-shirts. We spent nights in hotels, cabins, campgrounds, and even attempted to tent camp north of the Arctic Circle. Our luggage was constantly being unpacked, repacked, loaded into rental cars, squeezed into tiny bush planes, and hauled into our next adventure.

By the end of our Great Alaskan Road Trip, we'd learned exactly what earned a permanent place in our backpacks... and what we'd leave at home next time.

This all-in-one Alaska packing list covers everything we packed, what we're glad we brought, what we'd change, and the gear we'd recommend to anyone planning an Alaska adventure. This packing list is based on our summer trip to Alaska (June-July), when most visitors experience Alaska's national parks.

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Our Alaska Packing Strategy

When we first started packing for Alaska, we kept adding things to the list. Before long, we were packing for every possible scenario instead of the trip we were actually taking. So we started over.

Our final packing strategy came down to a few simple rules:

1. Pack in layers.

Alaska weather changes quickly, even in the middle of summer. We found ourselves adding and removing layers throughout the day depending on where we were, what we were doing, and whether the sun decided to make an appearance.

Rather than bringing bulky clothing for every possible temperature, we focused on lightweight layers that could be added or removed throughout the day.

A typical outfit looked something like this:

• Merino wool T-shirt

• Lightweight hoodie or fleece

• Rain jacket if needed

2. Prioritize versatility.

Every item needed to earn its place in our luggage. If something only worked for one activity or one outfit, it stayed home. We packed clothing that could handle hiking, road trips, boat tours, restaurants, and everything in between.

Merino wool became the MVP of our Alaska packing list. It regulates temperature surprisingly well, dries quickly, and resists odor far better than cotton. That meant we could comfortably rewear shirts, socks, and base layers between laundry stops without feeling gross.

If we could recommend just one clothing upgrade before an Alaska trip, it would be adding a few quality merino pieces to your wardrobe.

3. Pack for 7-8 days (not 21) and plan laundry.

We planned a 21-day trip to visit all 8 of Alaska’s national parks. But instead of packing for 21 days, we packed for about a week and planned laundry stops—whether at an airbnb, laundromat, or hotel.

Packing lighter made every part of the trip easier. It meant less time hauling luggage into lodging, less stress boarding bush planes, more room in the rental car, and fewer things to keep track of as we moved from one adventure to the next.

4. Pack one backpack each (plus a carry-on).

Knowing we'd constantly be moving between rental cars, hotels, campgrounds, ferries, and bush planes, we didn't travel with large suitcases and instead packed everything into a single Gossamer Gear 60 Mariposa Backpack each.

We also each brought one carry-on. Jon packed a traditional backpack, while I brought a waterproof dry bag because I knew we'd be spending time on the water. It ended up doubling as my daypack throughout the trip and was one of the best packing decisions I made. I also carried a small insulated medication bag to keep my refrigerated medication cold between doses.

If we were packing for this exact trip again tomorrow, we'd use the same setup without hesitation.

Our camping strategy

One question we spent a lot of time trying to answer before our trip was what to do about camping gear. Should we bring it from home? Rent it in Alaska? Ship it ahead?

In the end, we realized the simplest solution was to buy inexpensive camping gear when passing through Anchorage. A quick trip to Walmart gave us everything we needed for camping north of the Arctic Circle and in Katmai without hauling bulky camping gear across the country.

At the end of the trip, we checked the tent on our flight home and donated the sleeping bags and most of the other gear before leaving Alaska.

For us, it was far simpler (and surprisingly affordable) than flying with all of our camping equipment.

The Best Summer Clothing to Pack for Alaska

This packing list is based on what we packed for our June-July Great Alaskan Road Trip.

Instead of packing a different outfit for every day, we packed versatile pieces that layered well and could be worn over and over again. Between long road trip days, hikes, bush flights, glacier adventures, and laundry stops along the way, we found ourselves reaching for the same favorites again and again.

Here's what we'd pack again.

Merino wool socks

If there's one item we recommend splurging on, it's merino wool socks. They're comfortable on long hikes, dry quickly, regulate temperature surprisingly well, and can be worn multiple days without getting smelly. We lived in ours throughout the trip.

Our favorite: We love Darn Tough because they don’t sag, dry quickly, and hold up day after day.

Merino wool T-shirts

Merino wool quickly became our favorite travel fabric.

Unlike cotton, it breathes well, dries quickly, and naturally resists odor, making it perfect for a multi-week Alaska adventure. We packed a handful of merino shirts and rotated them throughout the trip.

Our favorites: Unbound Merino and Ridge Merino

Lightweight hoodie

This was probably the hardest-working item in our suitcase.

We wore it on chilly mornings, layered it under our rain jackets, threw it on after hikes, and even used it for extra sun protection on boat tours.

Our favorite: The Ridge Merino Sun Solstice is our absolute favorite layering hoodie.

Comfortable hiking pants or trail shorts

Whether we were driving for hours, hiking, or wandering around small towns, lightweight hiking pants and trail shorts handled just about everything we threw at them.

Personally, we packed both and wore whichever made sense for the day's weather and activities.

Our favorites: I like Coalatree trailhead shorts; the convertible pants I wear are out of stock, but these are similar; Jon likes the Kuhl Kruiser shorts and Kuhl Supressor joggers. For warm joggers, I wear lined joggers from Athleta; Jon loves the Coalatree Evolution joggers.

Fleece or lightweight insulating layer

Even during the summer, mornings and evenings were often cool enough that we appreciated having one warmer layer.

A lightweight fleece, hoodie, or insulated puffer jacket was more than enough for us and packed down easily when we didn't need it.

Waterproof rain jacket

This isn't the trip to dust off the old rain jacket that's been sitting in the back of your closet since high school. Trust me, we made that mistake and were practically laughed out of Alaska on our very first kayaking adventure.

It rains a lot in Alaska, and when it does, you'll want rain gear that's actually designed to keep you dry. A quality waterproof jacket also doubles as an excellent wind layer for glacier cruises, boat tours, and chilly mornings.

If you're shopping for a new rain jacket, GORE-TEX jackets are a great place to start. If you'll be spending a lot of time on the water, Grundéns also makes excellent waterproof gear that's built for Alaska's conditions.

Wind-resistant shell

A wind-resistant shell is especially helpful for boat tours, glacier viewpoints, wildlife watching, and cool mornings when the wind makes it feel much colder than the temperature suggests.

Depending on your rain jacket, this might be the same item. If you have a quality waterproof shell, you may not need to pack a separate windbreaker.

Light rain pants

Rain pants are not something we wear very often, but Alaska is one place we're really glad we had them

They came in especially handy during rainy days in Katmai, along with kayaking, wet hikes, and any time we knew we'd be outside for hours without an easy way to dry off.

You don't need heavy-duty winter pants for a summer trip, but a lightweight waterproof pair can make a big difference when the weather turns.

The Best Shoes to Pack for Alaska

Footwear was one area where we intentionally kept things simple. For our entire Great Alaskan Road Trip, we each packed one pair of waterproof hiking boots and made them work for everything.

Would a second pair of shoes have been nice? Absolutely. But if you're trying to pack light, hiking boots were the one non-negotiable for us.

Waterproof hiking boots

If you're planning to hike, waterproof hiking boots are well worth the investment. We wore ours almost every day throughout the trip, and they handled everything from muddy trails and stream crossings to rocky terrain and glacier hikes.

By the end of our Great Alaskan Road Trip, we'd even managed to wear holes in our boots—a good reminder that Alaska can be surprisingly tough on footwear. (Jon grabbed a new pair at an REI in Anchorage.)

Our favorites: I wear La Sportiva boots for stability; Jon swears by his GORE-TEX boots.

If you have extra room...

If we had a little more space, we'd probably toss in a pair of comfortable tennis shoes for driving days and a lightweight pair of camp shoes or sandals for evenings around camp or the hotel.

But if you're trying to pack light like we did, hiking boots alone are absolutely doable.

💡 RTL Tip: Alaska is hard on footwear. Whatever shoes you bring, make sure they're comfortable, well broken-in, and ready for adventure—not a brand-new pair you're hoping to break in on the trip.

Essential Alaska Travel Gear

Whether we were driving between national parks, boarding a bush plane, hiking, or spending hours wildlife watching, these were the pieces of gear we reached for again and again.

Polarized sunglasses

Between long days on the road, bright glaciers, and reflections off the water, a good pair of polarized sunglasses are an everyday essential.

Our favorites: My favorite are the Sunski Treeline Polarized Sunglasses because they reduce glare on roads, snow, and boardwalks, which makes driving and wildlife spotting easier; Jon loves the Justin Classic Ray-Ban Sunglasses.

Camera + zoom lens

We took thousands of photos throughout the trip, from grizzly bears catching salmon to glaciers, whales, moose, puffins, and some of the most beautiful landscapes we've ever seen.

Whatever camera you bring, don't forget extra batteries, chargers, and memory cards.

Our favorites: We brought the Lumix G7, a Lumix lens for wildlife photography, a second charger, and extra memory cards.

Camera rain cover

Your camera will probably spend as much time outside as you do. Whether you use a dedicated rain cover or a simple waterproof bag in a pinch, having a way to protect your camera gear from Alaska's frequent rain is well worth it.

You might want to cover your luggage too. We used these rain covers for our Gossamer Gear bags.

Portable charger & car charger

You'll likely spend a lot of time navigating, taking photos, and filming videos throughout your trip.

Between Google Maps, cameras, and phones, our batteries disappeared fast. Having both a portable charger and a car charger meant we were never scrambling for power.

Brimmed hat & bug net

If you're planning to spend time hiking, camping, or wildlife watching in Alaska during the summer, don't leave home without a brimmed hat and a bug net.

The hat gives the bug net structure so it stays off your face, making it much more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Some days we barely touched ours. Other days, we wouldn't have wanted to be outside without it. They're lightweight, inexpensive, and one of the easiest ways to make buggy trails much more enjoyable.

Lip balm & sunscreen

Even on cool or cloudy days, we found ourselves reaching for sunscreen and lip balm regularly. Between the wind, long hours outside, and Alaska's surprisingly strong summer sun, both earned a permanent place in our daypacks.

Offline maps

Cell service isn't something you can count on in Alaska. Before leaving Wi-Fi, we downloaded offline maps for every area we planned to visit. It gave us one less thing to worry about once we were out on the road.

Silicone rings

Between hiking, kayaking, glacier adventures, and everything else Alaska threw at us, neither of us wanted to worry about losing or damaging our wedding rings. Silicone rings were an easy swap and gave us one less thing to think about.

Lightweight gloves, a buff, and earmuffs

Even in the middle of summer, we were glad to have a few cold-weather accessories, including lightweight gloves, buff, and earmuffs. They came in especially handy during chilly mornings, windy summits, glacier adventures, and boat tours.

Swimsuit

At first glance, a swimsuit might seem like an odd thing to pack for Alaska—but trust us. Whether you're soaking in natural hot springs, taking an unforgettable glacier pool plunge, or staying somewhere with a hot tub after a long day of exploring, you'll be glad you brought one.

Sleep mask

Alaska gets a lot of daylight during the summer. A sleep mask quickly became an essential, especially on nights when our accommodations didn't have blackout curtains.

Motion sickness medication

If you get motion sickness, it's worth packing something just in case. Between bush planes, glacier cruises, whale watching tours, ferries, and winding mountain roads, Alaska offers plenty of opportunities to discover your limits.

Reusable water bottle & electrolytes

A reusable water bottle came with us everywhere. We also packed Liquid I.V. packets, which were nice to have after long hikes, travel days, and full days spent outdoors.

Basic medications

A small travel pharmacy can save you from an unexpected trip to the store. We packed Tylenol, allergy medication, any daily prescriptions, and a few basic first-aid supplies. If you take refrigerated medication like I do, don't forget to pack an insulated medication bag to keep everything at the proper temperature while traveling.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes were another game changer. Because we were unpacking and repacking almost every day, it was incredibly helpful knowing exactly where everything lived. Instead of digging through our backpacks every morning, we could grab the cube we needed and be out the door in minutes.

We love these packing cubes from LeanTravel (I love how sturdy they are), the Amazon Essentials cubes (a solid budget pick), and the Well Traveled packing cubes (a good mid-range option).

Adventure & Hiking Gear

If your Alaska itinerary includes hiking, kayaking, glacier adventures, or visiting remote national parks, here are a few additional items we'd recommend packing.

Comfortable daypack

It carried extra layers, snacks, water, camera gear, bug spray, rain jackets, and everything else we needed while exploring. Look for something comfortable enough to wear all day without feeling bulky.

Our favorites: This camera bag doubles as my hiking bag, while Jon repurposed his traditional backpack carryon or his Gossamer Gear bag.

Dry bag

My carry-on for the trip was a waterproof dry bag, and it turned out to be one of the smartest things I packed. It doubled as my daypack during glacier cruises, kayaking trips, hikes, and rainy days while keeping my camera gear, electronics, and extra layers dry.

I also kept a quick-dry travel towel inside, which came in handy more times than I can count. In fact, it was the reason Jon decided to jump into an ice-blue glacial pool one afternoon. Knowing we already had a towel waiting in my backpack was apparently all the convincing he needed.

Bear spray

If you'll be hiking in bear country, bear spray is an important piece of safety gear.

Rather than flying with it, plan to purchase or rent bear spray after you arrive in Alaska. Keep it somewhere easily accessible—not buried in your backpack—and take a few minutes to learn how to use it before heading out on the trail.

Headlamp

Summer days in Alaska are incredibly long, but a headlamp still came in handy around campgrounds, cabins, and the occasional late-night adventure.

It's small, lightweight, and one of those items that's nice to have when you need it.

Phone tether

Between wildlife encounters, glacier views, and boat tours, we found ourselves pulling out our phones constantly for photos and videos.

A simple wrist tether or crossbody phone strap gave us peace of mind that one accidental drop wouldn't send our phone into the ocean... or off the side of a mountain.

Our favorites: I use a simple wrist tether or crossbody phone strap for easy access to my phone for pictures and videos.

Bonus: We highly recommend downloading offline trail maps from AllTrails before heading out for a hike in Yellowstone.

What We’re Glad We Packed

After three weeks and eight national parks, a few items clearly separated themselves from everything else. If we packed for this exact trip again tomorrow, these would all be coming with us.

Merino wool clothing

This was, hands down, the MVP of our Alaska packing list. Merino wool kept us comfortable through changing temperatures, dried quickly after getting wet, and let us rewear clothing between laundry stops without feeling gross.

We don’t take any trips anymore without it.

Quality rain gear

Good rain gear is worth every penny in Alaska. Whether it was a rainy hike, a glacier cruise, or simply spending the day outdoors, having waterproof gear we could trust meant we kept exploring instead of heading back to the car.

Waterproof hiking boots

Our boots took an absolute beating. Mud, rocks, glaciers, uneven trails... Alaska threw just about everything at them. By the end of the trip we'd even worn holes through parts of them, but we'd still pack waterproof hiking boots again without hesitation.

Lightweight luggage

When your luggage is constantly moving between rental cars, hotels, campgrounds, and bush planes, every pound matters. We're really glad we packed light enough that moving from place to place never felt like a chore.

Extra socks

Sometimes it's the simplest items. After long hikes, rainy days, or getting your feet wet unexpectedly, putting on a fresh pair of dry merino socks feels incredible.

If you're debating whether to throw in one more pair... do it.

What We'd Pack Differently Next Time

No packing list is perfect. Even after months of planning, there were still a few things we'd change after spending three weeks exploring Alaska.

Binoculars

This is probably the biggest item we wish we'd packed. Wildlife is one of the biggest reasons people visit Alaska, and there were so many moments when we wished we had binoculars for spotting bears, moose, Dall sheep, mountain goats, whales, sea otters, puffins, and countless other animals.

Our cameras were great for taking photos. Binoculars would have made the experience of simply watching wildlife so much better.

A quality rain jacket

It's easy to assume the old rain jacket sitting in your closet will be good enough, but Alaska is hard on gear. Investing in quality rain protection made a huge difference in our comfort throughout the trip.

Before You Leave Home

A few of our most helpful "packing" tips actually had nothing to do with what went into our backpacks.

1. Print your reservations: Before leaving home, we printed every reservation, itinerary, and confirmation number for the trip. Cell service isn't always available in Alaska, Wi-Fi can be spotty, and many adventures involve multiple companies, transportation providers, and meeting locations. Having paper copies gave us one less thing to worry about.

2. Bring cash for tips (or use Venmo): Many of Alaska's most memorable experiences involve incredible guides, bush pilots, boat crews, fishing guides, and tour operators. We found it easier to bring tip money with us.

3. Consider travel insurance: Alaska weather is unpredictable, and many itineraries involve flights, ferries, boats, or bush planes where delays and cancellations can happen. For a trip with this many moving pieces, we were glad to have travel insurance for the extra peace of mind.

FAQ: Packing for Alaska

Is this what you actually packed for Alaska?

Yes! Everything in this guide is based on what we packed (and used) during our Great Alaskan Road Trip in June and July.

What should I pack for Alaska in the summer?

We recommend lightweight merino wool clothing, a quality rain jacket, waterproof hiking boots, comfortable hiking clothes, and a warm mid-layer for cool mornings and evenings. Summer weather can change quickly, so it's much easier to add or remove layers than rely on one heavy jacket.

Do I really need a good rain jacket?

Absolutely. Alaska is one place where quality rain gear is worth the investment. You'll probably use it for rain, but you'll also appreciate it as a wind layer on glacier cruises, boat tours, and chilly mornings.

Is merino wool really worth it?

For a longer Alaska trip, we think so. Merino wool dries quickly, regulates temperature well, and resists odor, which meant we could comfortably rewear clothing between laundry stops. It helped us pack lighter without sacrificing comfort.

How many clothes should I pack?

Less than you probably think. We packed for about a week at a time and built laundry stops into our itinerary instead of packing for all 21 days. Between versatile layers and merino wool clothing, we were able to rewear many items and keep our luggage much lighter.

Planning an Alaska Trip?

Ready to keep planning? Here are a few more resources to help you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.

🏔️ Alaska Hub: Start here for destination guides, itineraries, travel tips, and everything we've learned about visiting Alaska's national parks.

📘 Alaska National Parks Travel Guide: Our complete step-by-step planning guide, with detailed itineraries, route planning, practical advice, and everything you need to confidently plan an Alaska national parks trip.

📖 Alaska Diaries: Experience our 21-day Great Alaskan Road Trip through immersive daily stories before you experience Alaska for yourself.

🛍️ Alaska Travel Essentials on Amazon: Browse the exact gear, clothing, and travel essentials we packed (and would pack again) for Alaska.