As May draws in, the days become a bit longer and the weather a bit milder, it is a relatively dry month, considered a ‘shoulder’ month. There is no spring in Alaska, the snow melting and resulting mud is called ‘breakup’ and this is something you would encounter in May if travelling further north.
With the summer come the flowers and May can be quite beautiful. The first salmon run is in May, and it may be possible to see grizzly bears taking advantage of the early swarms of tasty fish. If you are planning on a bear safari, you would be better off travelling later in summer for the chances of best sightings. May does have its perks, as prices are cheaper, but some areas outside of the tourist areas may still be shut off to the public, especially at the start of the month.
If you are looking at heading into Denali National Park, you will need to wait until June. In Juneau, humpback whales can be seen in the waters all the way from May to September.
Generally, May can be a good time to travel, as wildlife comes out of hibernation, prices are cheaper, and parks are quieter, however the weather can be unpredictable.
