Best Time to Visit Juneau Alaska: How to Plan A Perfect Trip!

If you’re looking for the best time to visit Juneau in Alaska, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, you will find an overview of what the weather is like in Juneau during different seasons, as well as some tips on where to stay and what to do.

Whether you’re planning a trip to Alaska for the first time or have been before and are looking for new ideas, this guide will help make your experience enjoyable!

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Best Time to Visit Juneau (AK)

The best time to visit Juneau, Alaska really depends on what kind of activities you’re interested in. Juneau is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with its stunning glaciers, mountains, and forests.

The summer months are the busiest, but also offer the best weather for hiking and other activities. If you don’t mind braving the cold, winter is an excellent time to visit Juneau for its Northern Lights and dog sledding.

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Juneau Alaska Weather in the Summer

The warmest months in Juneau, Alaska are June, July, and August, with temperatures ranging from the lower 40s to middle 60s. The rain comes and goes, so when the sun is out, it can feel quite hot, but when it’s raining, it can be very chilly and windy. Your best bet is to wear a rain jacket with two or three layers that can be easily taken off.

• Juneau Alaska Weather in May: May is the month with the least rainfall (19 days), but it’s still a bit chilly, with an average temperature ranging from 32 degrees to 54 degrees. The average length of the day is 17 hours – meaning there is an average of 17 hours of daylight.
• Juneau Alaska Weather in June: an average temperature ranging from 40 degrees to 52 degrees. The average length of the day is 18 hours.
• Juneau Alaska Weather in July: This is one of the best times to visit Juneau not only because of the warmer weather (average temperature ranging from 45 degrees to 56 degrees) but also because it’s the salmon spawning season. There will be an abundance of salmon, and you may see bears looking for food by the creeks! It rains for an average of 21 days.
• Juneau Alaska Weather in August: It will be similar to July with 22 days of rain, but the seawater will be warmer.

Juneau Alaska Weather in the Winter

In contrast to the summer when the days are long, Juneau in the winter months is cold with a very few hours of sunlight every day.

However, this is also the best time to see the Northern Lights! If you’re interested in dog sledding, this is also the ideal time to visit.

Keep in mind that many businesses and attractions close down during the winter, so be sure to do your research in advance. Activities like Salmon Bake and Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure may not be available.

How to get to Juneau, Alaska

1. By air – Alaska Airlines has regularly scheduled flights to Juneau International Airport from Seattle. If the nonstop flight costs more than $100, I highly recommend booking a flight with a layover in Ketchikan. It may be cheaper and you will get to enjoy a day trip to the beautiful “Salmon Capital of the World”. You can refer to the article Best Cheap Way to Cruise Alaska without a Big Cruise Ship for instructions on how to book cheap combo flight tickets to Ketchikan and Juneau.

2. By sea – Alaska Marine Highway connects Juneau with other towns in Southeast Alaska such as Ketchikan, Petersburg, Wrangel, Sitka, Haines, and Skagway. You can take your car with you and can even start your journey from Bellingham, Washington.

3. By land – Just kidding! You can’t reach Juneau by the road.

Is Juneau worth visiting?

Juneau is a beautiful city with a lot to offer, no matter what time of year you visit. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors or experience some of Alaska’s unique culture, you’ll find everything you need here.

I myself had wondered if Juneau was worth visiting when I looked at the weather forecast and saw so many days of rain. But with its stunning scenery and abundance of activities, Juneau was definitely worth visiting.

Juneau is the gateway to many beautiful cities in Alaska, so you may have a layover at the Juneau Airport for your next flight to Gustavus or a few hours waiting on the ferry en route to Skagway. So instead of wasting a few hours of your vacation, why not break your trip to include a day or two in Juneau and make the most of it?

Whether you choose to sit by the waterfront watching clouds float over snow-capped mountains and enjoying delicious king crab legs or when you hike the glaciers, you will most likely agree that Juneau is worth visiting!

Where to Stay in Juneau, Alaska

There are a variety of hotels and lodges to choose from in Juneau, depending on your budget and preferences. Although accommodations in Juneau are not on the luxury side, there are plenty of comfortable options with great value for money!

Best Places to Stay in Downtown Juneau

• Four Points by Sheraton Juneau – upscale hotel, located in a quieter area but a quick walk to the main street, has a restaurant on-site with good fish and chips
• Hotel Driftwood – decent budget hotel with free airport shuttle (worth $60 round trip), very close to Four Points by Sheraton, and pretty much next door to a small local supermarket so you can easily get alcohol and late-night snacks.
• Alaskan Hotel & Bar – this is a cheap hotel right in the middle of everything in downtown Juneau so it may be tempting but beware when you book. It is inconvenient to access the hotel before the bar is open so you may have difficulty checking in early. Rumour also has it that a hotel room is haunted.

Clean Place to Stay Near Juneau Airport

• Super 8 Juneau – a budget hotel that is clean with a free airport shuttle leaving as early as 4 am! We took an air excursion from Juneau and our returning flight was canceled due to bad weather. We came back to Juneau one day later and thought we would have to pay for a night extra, but the staff was very accommodating. They already helped us pack and completed the check-out early so we could avoid extra charges!

Best Things to do in Juneau Alaska

1. Mendenhall Glacier

The Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle is the best way to get from Juneau to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The shuttle provides a roundtrip, narrated express shuttle service that runs every 30 minutes.

The shuttle will take you directly to the visitor center, where you can begin your exploration of the glacier. There are several different hikes available in the area, ranging from easy to difficult.

If you have limited time, you can take a short, easy walk to Nugget Falls and see Mendenhall Glacier. However, if you want to experience walking on the glacier, you can sign up for a guided tour such as Ice Adventure Tour.

2. Juneau Helicopter Tour and Dogsledding Experience

If you’re looking for an unforgettable Alaskan adventure, look no further than the Juneau Helicopter Tour and Dogsledding Experience.

This once-in-a-lifetime tour begins with a scenic helicopter ride over Juneau, providing stunning views of the Mendenhall Glacier and the city skyline.

After landing on a remote glacier, you’ll have the opportunity to mush your own team of sled dogs through the winding trails of the Alaskan wilderness.

Along the way, you’ll learn about dog sledding techniques and the fascinating history of this unique mode of transportation.

3. Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Salmon Bake

Looking for an up-close encounter with some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife? Then this Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Salmon Bake tour would be perfect for you.

With this tour, you’ll not only get to see orcas and humpback whales in their natural habitat, but you’ll also come back for an all-you-can-eat meal of delicious Alaskan salmon.

After your meal, you can stay for as long as you want and roast marshmallows over the open fire.

4. Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Juneau is the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure.

The gardens feature a series of interlocking trails that wind through a dense forest with some upside-down trees.

Visitors can take a ride on an old-fashioned tramway, or they can explore the gardens on foot. In addition to being a beautiful place to visit, the Juneau Glacier Gardens are also educational, as they provide information about the local ecology and the history of Juneau.

5. Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway

Glide up 1,800 feet above sea level in just minutes and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area.

You can also continue your adventure by hiking one of the many trails that wind their way through the mountains.

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or simply looking for a fun and different way to explore, the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway is definitely worth a visit.

6. Gold Creek Salmon Bake

Every summer, locals and visitors alike gather to feast on fresh-caught salmon, grilled to perfection over an open fire at Gold Creek Salmon Bake.

The Salmon Bake is more than just a chance to enjoy a delicious meal; it’s also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of some of the area’s wildlife.

Black bears are often seen prowling around Gold Creek in search of food, and the mounted platform at the Salmon Bake offers visitors the perfect spot for bear watching.

What to do in Juneau On Your Own

If you have just a few hours to spare from a cruise and didn’t want to take any tours, you can walk around the waterfront, take the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway, and try local food or beer! If you have more time, you can try this list of activities. Depending on your pace, this could be done in one or two days!

1. Sample salmon for free at Taku, right by Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway
2. Try some juicy king crab legs at Tracy’s King Crab Shack
3. Explore waterfront area, shops, and parks
4. Take the shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier for hiking or kayaking
5. Get some fish tacos at the popular spot Deckhand Dave’s
6. Sample Alaskan beers at Alaskan Brewery
7. Check out the Red Dog Saloon which was founded decades ago during Juneau’s mining era

The Wrap Up: Best Time to Visit Juneau

Juneau is a great place to visit any time of year, but the best time to go really depends on what you want to do. If you’re looking for some summer fun in the sun, then head over in July or August when the temperatures are at their peak.

If you’d rather see the sights without all the crowds, plan your trip for May or September instead. And if you’re down for some adventures in the cold, don’t rule out the charms of Juneau in the winter.

No matter when you choose to go, you won’t be disappointed with all that Juneau has to offer.