The Prettiest Fall Town in Alaska (A Visitors Guide to Hope)

Chances are if you're visiting Alaska this Fall, you might be wondering where to see some of the best Fall colors. I'll be honest, the fall foliage season in Alaska is quite short - and you'll have to be pretty lucky to hit it right at the perfect time - but if you do, it is one of the most beautiful times of year to visit Alaska. A majority of the trees turn a bright yellow, and honestly it is my favorite time in Alaska. Personally, the best place I found to enjoy the fall colors in Alaska was in Hope, a small town about 20 miles outside of Anchorage.

*If you have any questions that aren't answered in this post, please leave them in the comments section where I do my best to answer all Alaska related questions directly!

My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are my favorite websites and resources to help plan an incredible trip to the 49th State.

For flights, I recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, I always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.

Where to Stay & Where to Eat in Hope

Not only does Hope have some of the prettiest views in the fall, but the drive there along Turnagain Arm is also stunning. I also recommend keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife along the drive - chances are you could spot bears, moose, eagles, and belugas during the fall season! Hope definitely isn't the busiest town in Alaska, even for a tourism standpoint, but it is one of the most underrated stops. With some fun places to explore and lots of epic views, most people that want to spend the night here opt for camping! The options closest to the town of Hope are Porcupine Campground (tents & vehicles), Seaview RV Park (RVs), Hope's Hideaway (small cottages) and Creekbend Company (yurts, guest rooms, RVs, and tents). I'll be honest, because I've only visited on day trips from Anchorage I haven't experienced any of these myself.

As for places to eat, even during the warmer months restaurants can often close down (especially on Tuesdays) - so I recommend bringing a picnic or snacks with you just in case! If you do happen to visit when the restaurants are open, we've heard that the Seaview Cafe & Bar, Creekbend Cafe, and the Dirty Skillet are great choices! I also recommend stopping at the Coldwater Market for their epic homemade ice cream popsicles!

My Favorite Tour in Hope :
- Half Day 3 Canyon Whitewater Rafting

Where to Find the Fall Colors (and other fun things to do)

In my opinion, the best spot to explore for the most epic Fall colors in Hope is the Porcupine Campground (pictured above) and the Resurrection Pass Trailhead area. From these spots, you can head out to explore, drive along the back roads, or begin a hike - just make sure to bring some bear spray with you!

If you're looking for some other things to do while you're in town, here's my list of 5 of my favorite things to do in the area :

• Sixmile Creek Whitewater Rafting with Flow AK (or try this peaceful float trip version)
• Gold Mining at Gold Rush Peck (next to the Hope & Sunrise Museum)
• The (FREE) Hope & Sunrise Museum to learn more about the Turnagain Arm Gold Rush that caused Hope to boom
• Head out Hiking (try the Palmer Creek Lakes loop for an easier hike in the area)
• Shopping - there are surprisingly quite a few gift shops in town, and you can find very unique items to take home from local artisans!

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Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in : 
-> 15 Easiest Alaska Glaciers to Visit
-> Where to Rent Bear Spray in Alaska
-> 7 Best Tours in Alaska

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