Visit These 12 Incredible Charming Small Towns In Alaska, One For Each Month Of The Year

What is more fantastic than Girdwood in January? This ski resort town comes alive, and as the northernmost temperate rainforest, it will give you plenty of snow all year long. Alyeska Resort is busy in January, averaging over 600" of snowfall each year! Take some time for a snowy hike in the woods, a cross-country ski through Moose Meadow, and finish it with a date at the Nordic Spa and their indoor/outdoor plunge pools. Afterward, dine at one of the many award-winning restaurants in town!

Many people may think that Talkeetna shuts down in the winter, but there is a vibrant community all year long! With such close access to Denali National Park, those that enjoy the winter backcountry wilderness will be at home in Talkeetna during the colder months. Snowmachine, dog sled, ski, or hike while you enjoy gorgeous scenery just 2 hours north of Anchorage. Then top it all off with a trip to one of the great restaurants right in downtown Talkeetna.

Coldfoot, located within the Arctic Circle, is well known for its winter adventure offerings. Most famously known for the Aurora Borealis trips, this small town, population 268, is a wonder to visit all year long. We love to drop in during March, when winter temperatures warm up to an average of 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Much warmer than the average January temperature of -4 degrees Fahrenheit! Take a plane ride if the aurora borealis is high, and experience the sight of a lifetime.

While technically a part of Juneau, Douglas Island is like its very own small community. To access the area, you have to cross the bridge over the Gastineau Channel. Douglas Island may be mostly residential, but we love the Treadwell Historic Mine Trail, and grabbing some pizza at Island Pub after you’ve finished your hike!

Ketchikan is a wonder to visit all summer long, but we really love to stop by in May. If you visit in early May, everyone is gearing up for the season, but many tourists won’t have started arriving just yet. That means these iconic boardwalks are all yours! You’ll also have the chance to see plenty of wildlife, as many of the wonderful species in the area start poking about in the springtime.

Seldovia is the perfect retreat to a quaint little fishing village right on Kachemak Bay. Located across the bay from Homer, we love visiting in June so we can take advantage of the local Seldovia Ferry schedule, which will spirit you to this charming little town in just 45 minutes. Hike trails, go tide pooling, or enjoy the most famous thing to do in Seldovia: fishing! The town may be small at only 300 residents, but there is lodging, art galleries, and even delicious restaurants to enjoy.

Located in the largest National Park in the country, Wrangell-St Elias, McCarthy is a small town big on adventure. Based at the foot of Kennicott Glacier, you’ll find this tiny town of just over 100 full-time residents absolutely hopping in July. The summer season brings a big influx of people who want to visit this stunningly beautiful area, but the July 4th activities are famous statewide. A parade, live music, and fun festivities rock the entire small mountain town for the day!

Kodiak comes alive in July and August, with wildflowers blooming all across the island. Nicknamed "the Emerald Isle," the island is absolutely stunning during the summer months. August has slightly better chances to see blue skies and sunshine, and there’s plenty of bear-watching and water sports to be had. Check out this amazing island this summer!

The landscape outside of Nome comes alive during the September fall season. The roads are still open until the end of October, so September is the perfect time of year to visit. Our favorite spot to visit? Serpentine Hot Springs is located about 100 miles from Nome, Alaska. It’s in the remote Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and one of the most breathtaking places in the state. If you catch the fall colors at the right time, it will absolutely blow you away!

Travel down the gorgeous Elliot Highway, north of Fairbanks, to get to this tiny town. The town is famous for its hot springs and is home to one of Alaska’s original roadhouses, the Manley Roadhouse. The area has a population of just over 40 people year-round, but Manley Hot Springs Resort is open all year long. Come for the Aurora Borealis, the hunting, or a dip in the natural hot springs that can be accessed through the Manley Hot Springs Resort.

While many people put Valdez as a summer or winter destination, there’s something absolutely spectacular about the fall. November is a great time to visit this small seaside city, as the busyness of summer has died down, and the skiers and snowboarders haven’t arrived just yet. As the snowiest town in Alaska, this is an epic place for winter adventures, but there’s a peacefulness to enjoy as the snow climbs down the mountains, and you get the chance to watch the fall colors change. And as the town is a little larger than the others on our list at almost 4,000 people, there are plenty of great restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, and more that stay open all year long.

No one will be surprised when we recommend North Pole, Alaska for your December visit. The entire town is decked out like a Hallmark movie, and there’s holiday cheer to be found just about everywhere. You’ll find street signs with names like Santa Claus Lane, Kris Kringle Drive, and North Star Drive. You’ll have to swing by the Santa Claus House, perfect for stocking up for Christmas decorations. You’ll want to spend the night at Hotel North Pole, and book the Santa Claus Suite, of course.