Complete Alaska Packing List for Spring and Summer

Complete Alaska Packing List for Spring and Summer

Everything You Need to Pack for a Trip to Alaska

In a month we’ll be leaving for the Last Frontier. This is our final Alaska planning post that we’ll be publishing pre-trip. You can find out how to plan your trip to Alaska here, and what to do to get your vehicle ready for a long road trip here. Today we’re sharing a comprehensive Alaska packing list before the peak travel season to help anyone else who is preparing for a trip to Alaska this Spring or Summer.

This Alaska packing list has everything you need for a trip to the Last Frontier in the Spring or Summer. Whether you need to pack for an Alaskan cruise, road trip, or backcountry camping adventure you’ll find what you need in this comprehensive Alaska packing list.

I wasn’t kidding when I said this Alaska packing list is comprehensive! Regardless of how you’re getting to Alaska (or traveling around once you get there) we’ve got you covered. Whether you need to know what to pack for an Alaskan cruise, or what gear to bring on a backcountry camping trip, you’ll find it below. This Alaska packing list is divided into different categories:

  • Clothes, Footwear, and Personal Items
  • Road Trip Essentials
  • Vehicle Camping Essentials
  • Backcountry Camping Gear

We’re planning on all of these, so Stan the Tan Van is packed to the gills right now!

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This Alaska packing list has everything you need for a trip to the Last Frontier in the Spring or Summer. Whether you need to pack for an Alaskan cruise, road trip, or backcountry camping adventure you’ll find what you need in this comprehensive Alaska packing list.

Clothes, Footwear, and Personal Items

This Alaska packing list starts with luggage, clothes, footwear, and personal items—things you’d pack whether you’re going on an Alaskan cruise or a road trip. Since it’s Alaska, it’s likely you’ll be doing some nature related activities, so we’ve included plenty of our favorite outdoor gear. This list is based on a 10-14 day trip to Alaska. If you’re staying longer, you can always visit a laundromat (or do what we do, and re-ware things until you can’t stand the stench anymore—only partly kidding😉).

Luggage

  • Packing cubes
  • Backpacks – We love these Osprey backpacks (with men’s and women’s versions) that zip open on the front so you can pack them like a suitcase and come with a separate daypack.

Women’s Alaska Packing List for Spring/Summer

Men’s Alaska Packing List for Spring/Summer

If you’re on a cruise, you might want to add some formal wear depending on the activity schedule for your sailing.

Footwear

  • Waterproof hiking boots
  • Closed-toe waterproof sandals
  • Tennis shoes

Outdoor Gear

Tech

Misc.

Road Trip Essentials for Driving to Alaska

If you’re driving to Alaska, here are some specific things you’ll want to be sure to pack. Also make sure your vehicle is road trip ready with this comprehensive guide.

Vehicle Camping Essentials for Alaska

Whether you’re camping in luxury with a big rig and hook-ups, or boondocking in the wilderness, here’s what you need to bring to camp out of your vehicle in Alaska. Note that you’ll want to bring all of the above plus this list.

Backcountry Camping Gear for Alaska

If you’re planning to spend the night with just what you can carry on your back, here’s what you’ll need.

  • Clothes, Footwear, and Personal Items – See the list above. Obviously, you won’t need everything on that list for your backcountry trip so scale according to the duration and itinerary of your trek. You will want everything from the “Outdoor Gear” section though.
  • Backpacking Pack – One of the most essentials items. This is the updated version of Tom’s pack. I couldn’t find the most recent version of mine, but I have my eye on this one.
  • Lightweight tent
  • Sleeping mat
  • Lightweight sleeping bag rated for at least 20° F or less
  • Small stove burner
  • Fuel
  • Lighter
  • Cooking pot
  • Meal kit – we love this compact kit that has everything you need in one package
  • Titanium spork – We prefer this over the flimsy plastic ones
  • Knife
  • Biodegradable soap – Always use and dispose of soapy water at least 200 feet away from water sources
  • Towel – for a short trip, you could probably get away with just the washcloth from this set
  • Dehydrated meals – Budget travel tip: When we have access to house life, we dehydrate our own backcountry meals in bulk and save a ton of money by not having to buy them from retailers
  • High-protein snacks
  • Water filter pump or water treatment tablets
  • Water bottle – Go with this LifeStraw one so you have built-in filtration
  • Collapsible water bag
  • Reusable zip-lock bags – We recently got these rezip bags and they’re so handy!
  • Ditty sacks
  • Sanitation trowel
  • Bear cannister – Budget travel tip: You might be able to rent this depending where you’re going. Often the National Park Service rents them for free when you obtain a backcountry permit.

I hope that this Alaska packing list helps you prepare for your great adventure in the north. Can you think of anything that we missed? Or is there anything that you never leave home without?

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This Alaska packing list has everything you need for a trip to the Last Frontier in the Spring or Summer. Whether you need to pack for an Alaskan cruise, road trip, or backcountry camping adventure you’ll find what you need in this comprehensive Alaska packing list.

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