For campers who enjoy cuddling close with family and friends during a cold weather camping trip, Alaska is a fantastic place to visit. Although winters can be devastatingly cold, summer and spring are known as beautiful seasons in Alaska, and there is still the chance of snow.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is located in the heart of Alaska and is home to North America’s tallest mountain. Mount McKinley stands at 20,320 feet and is a mountaineer’s dream! There are wide array of activities including hiking, dog mushing, sledding, skiing and snow shoeing. Unless you are particularly fond of winter weather that frequently drops to 40 degrees below zero, Denali National Park is best to visit in the summer months when temperatures range between 33 and 76 degrees fahrenheit. Park rangers advise campers of Denali’s unpredictable weather and often warn campers to expect rain, clouds, high winds, sun and rainbows all in one day. If you plan to visit Denali National Park, rain gear is invaluabl,e so be sure to pack plenty of water-resistant clothing. While in the park, be sure to step out of your tent at night; Alaska is one of the best stargazing places in the world. For experienced campers, backcountry permits must be acquired from the park in order to explore some of Denali’s more isolated areas.

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

The Gates of the Arctic is a humbling and haunting park full of beautiful glaciated valleys and crisply-cut mountains. This park was just recently recognized as a national park and preserve in 1980, so it is considered largely undiscovered and unexplored. As a result, this park should be reserved to expert campers who have well-developed survival skills. It’s best to camp in the Gates of the Arctic between the months of June and September when the suns stays out the longest. This park does experience periods of time without any sun. Most campers arrive and leave by air taxi, so be sure to bring extra supplies in case weather prevents transport out of the park at your expected departure date.