Month guide · Anchorage · United States
Anchorage in April
What April is really like in Anchorage: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jeff Medkeff | Talk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
April is a month many travellers avoid. Expect average highs of 7°C (45°F), lows of -1°C (30°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 14.6 hours of daylight. Breakup season: snow melts into slush and mud, and many tours have not yet started.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 7°C (45°F) / -1°C (30°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 14.6 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in April
April is the 6th-warmest month in Anchorage: days average 7°C (45°F) against a yearly average high of 7°C (45°F), and nights fall to about -1°C (30°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 30 days. Compared with March (1°C (34°F)), April is warmer; by May highs climb to around 13°C (55°F).
- Sunrise (15 April)
- About 06:39
- Sunset (15 April)
- About 21:21
- Daylight
- About 14.6 hours
Summer (June–August). Long daylight, the full range of tours, trains and cruises, salmon runs and the highest prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, April rates 1 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes April one of the better-value months to book.
Events in April
April has no major recurring festival in Anchorage, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in April
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Airport and Lake Hood
Lake Hood Seaplane Base and Alaska Aviation Museum
Lake Hood and neighbouring Lake Spenard form one of the busiest floatplane bases in the world, with bush planes taking off every few minutes in summer.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Northeast Anchorage
Alaska Native Heritage Center
Time your visit for a dance or Native games demonstration, and talk with the hosts at each village site.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Kids
Waterfront · Downtown
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
A paved trail of about 18 km from downtown along Cook Inlet to Kincaid Park, passing Westchester Lagoon, Earthquake Park and stretches of coastal forest where moose often browse.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours by bike
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
Experience · Turnagain Arm
Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm
Check bore tide timing tables and watch from Beluga Point; never walk on the mudflats, where glacial silt can trap people as the tide rises.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 7°C, lows near -1°C and 6 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is April a good time to visit Anchorage?
A month many travellers avoid. If your dates are flexible, June–August are better overall. Compare every month.
Anchorage in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is April a good time to visit Anchorage?
It is a month many travellers avoid. Breakup season: snow melts into slush and mud, and many tours have not yet started.
+How warm is Anchorage in April?
Average highs are around 7°C (45°F) and lows around -1°C (30°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Anchorage in April?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.