Alaska enjoys a comparatively low crime rate and is generally a safe place to travel though women need to be especially careful on their own, as Alaska does have a disproportionately high rate of rape and sexual assaults compared with the rest of the United States. While it is mainly Alaska Natives who are affected proportionally nonetheless it is recommended to exercise some caution although most areas visited heavily by tourists are pretty safe.

Also keep in mind that while Alaska is wild and beautiful, it does not tolerate fools easily. It is quite possible to get lost, cold, wet, and even die. The state's populace varies between extremely friendly to tourists to openly hostile. A common bumper sticker says: "If it's tourist season, why can't we shoot 'em?" Many Alaskans are understandably tired of those people from the "lower 48" who head North to live out ill-conceived — and sometimes fatal — fantasies of living off the land.

Be prepared for the trip you plan. Do your homework, and plan on being self-sufficient. Consider using a guide, or checking out local conditions with locals before jumping in the kayak, and heading for yonder point that looked so nice on the map. The water in Alaska is so cold, falling overboard can be fatal within minutes. More importantly, self-rescue becomes impossible often within seconds, especially around glacier-fed rivers. Treatment for hypothermia is required reading before doing any water sports, even during warm weather.

Bears live in many areas of the state and are best avoided. Moose are equally common and just as dangerous and attack humans more frequently than bears. See wilderness backpacking for more information about staying safe in areas of known bear activity.

Cannabis

After Colorado and Washington (state) legalized cannabis, Alaska quickly followed suit. Alaska's laws for cannabis are very similar to Colorado and Washington's. They are strict and similar to the state's laws for alcoholic beverages. You must be 21 or older to consume, possess, or purchase marijuana, regardless of whether it's for recreational or medicinal reasons. Residents of Alaska can possess up to 1 ounce (28 grams). It is legal to possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis while traveling and to give as a gift to someone of legal age.

Consumption in public is illegal and enforced. It is illegal to smoke/consume cannabis on someone else's private property without their consent. Keep in mind that marijuana is still illegal under federal law, so you could still be under scrutiny.

Under NO circumstances should you bring marijuana out of the state, into an Alaska Native Tribal Entities that deemed it illegal, nor onto any federal enclave, or you will be charged under both state and federal law.