For many travelers, Alaska is just a place you hear about on nature documentaries, or it’s the location of that one beautiful landscape photo you saw on a friend’s wall. Its otherworldly beauty and legendary cold weather can make it seem like an out-of-reach vacation destination. Well, cast those notions aside because visiting Alaska should be a bucket list item that you cross off! In the month of June, the beautiful Kenai Peninsula is the perfect, not too cold, location to head north to. Prepare for some stunning views, unique beaches, a lot of wildlife, and be the one to hang up those new Alaska landscape photos you took!
While the mountains remain snowy during an Alaskan summer, the lowlands are full of life
When and Where?
Alaska is well known for chilly weather and snowy precipitation. But there are good times of the year to visit when you’ll be able to avoid the rain or snow and catch some warm days!
Traveling in the month of June is the perfect time. With average warm temperatures in the 60’s, and precipitation at the lowest for any of the summer months, you’ll be able to spend plenty of time in the great outdoors.
Believe it or not, you might even be able to go for a swim! As for where to go, head south of Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula. Sitting right along the Gulf of Alaska, this area is well known for its great fishing seasons and many nature preserves.
Right at the tip of the peninsula, the town of Homer is a great option to call home base. You’ll be staying alongside the beautifully unique Alaskan beaches, and be within a bustling fishing village that has lots of shops, restaurants, and more for tourists!
Homer Spit at sunset
Photo by Scott McMurren | CC BY 2.0
Alaska Has A Beach?
Go to the beach! You won’t necessarily be wearing your swim gear. But you’ll be able to spend plenty of time along the sea experiencing the unique opportunities, Kenai Peninsula has to offer. While you’re in Homer, make sure to take a drive onto the Homer Spit. The Spit is home to many of the restaurants, shops, and historic buildings that are nice to explore while you’re strolling about. It’s also a great place to plan a fishing trip or sea kayaking adventure from! Fun fact, it’s also home to the longest road going straight out into the ocean waters!
Get Wild!
When you’re done exploring the town and Spit, head to the nearby Bishop’s Beach. It will proved some of Alaska’s best seaside wilderness.
The beach is a perfect outdoor picnic spot. Here you can watch for eagles, seals, otters, and more. There are also lots of walking path to take a stroll. If its low tide walking along the beach is a real treat where you’ll find lots of tide pools and very cool sea animals and plants to look at!
When you’re done exploring the local beaches, book a tour that will take you out along the coast. With a little luck you will see whales and bears! Both are native and common along the coast of Alaska, and the Kenai peninsula with its many nature reserves is a great place to find them.
A mother bear with her curious cubs
Photo by Max Goldberg | CC BY 2.0
One of the things that makes Alaska truly unique is the incredibly large range of natural sights to see and experience.
Imagine a day where you spend the morning exploring the fishing town of Homer and the untamed beaches of the surrounding wilderness. Then an afternoon spent looking at one of the last four icefields in the United States.
Cool off with Some Ice!
The Harding Icefield is a must see while you’re on the Kenai Peninsula, especially if you’re traveling during the month of June! The warmer weather will ensure that the roads to reach the nature preserve are open.
Starting at the Exit Glacier, you can hike into the area that is home to 30 glaciers, and if you’re especially ambitious, guides can be hired to lead you right out onto the ice! Make sure you pack lots of layers, even in June while other parts of Alaska are nice and warm, the glacier areas can be downright cold!
Summer warmth may cause sections of the glaciers to fall into the sea, known as caving
Where to Stay?
The Pioneer Inn is the perfect Homer, Alaska lodging for a fulfilling trip surrounded by good people. The Inn is owned by a couple who make sure you experience all the fishing, wildlife, and more Homer has to offer. With reasonably priced hotel rooms and guest house options, the Inn is budget friendly while still being comfortable! Located in the heart of downtown Homer, you’ll be staying walking distance from Bishop’s beach and easy driving distance from the Spit which is just on the other side of town. When you get there, make sure to ask the owners Rich and Amy about their excursion recommendations. If you have time after kayaking, the beaches, glaciers, and exploring town; you can use their suggestions to spend time in museums, or even do some local hiking!
Keep an eye out for eagles everywhere you go! Here’s one flying high over the Kenai Peninsula
Photo by Ragamuffin Brian | CC BY-ND 2.0
If Alaska does not get you excited, and you find your still still looking for a great destination make sure to check out these other articles.
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