Can you leave luggage in your car while sightseeing

Question

We will be visiting the Kenai Peninsula. On days we travel between cities (Anchorage to Homer, Homer to Seward, Seward to Anchorage) we would like to make stops en route to explore and do short activities (ie., short hikes, visit Exit Glacier). Is it safe to leave our luggage in our rental SUV while we step away to sightsee. Or am I asking for trouble. Most of our hotels have 10:00am checkouts and 4:00pm checkins so I am stuck with the luggage for 6+ hours on days we are in transit and prefer not to miss opportunities along the way..

Answer

Leaving luggage in your rental SUV while sightseeing in the Kenai Peninsula is generally not recommended. While Alaska is relatively safe compared to many urban areas, leaving valuables or visible luggage in a vehicle can attract theft, especially in parking areas that are popular with tourists, like trailheads, Exit Glacier, or town centers.

If you do decide to leave luggage in your vehicle, here are some precautions to minimize risk:

Park in well-populated, visible areas. National park parking lots or areas with other vehicles are safer than isolated pull-offs.
Lock your doors and ensure all items are out of sight. Store luggage in the trunk or under a cargo cover if available.
Avoid leaving any valuables, electronics, or bags with identifiable contents visible. Even small items can tempt opportunistic thieves.

Alternative solutions for managing luggage during transit days:

Hotel luggage storage: Some hotels will allow early drop-off or late pickup for a small fee or free of charge, even outside of standard check-in/check-out times.
Public lockers: Certain attractions, visitor centers, or airports may offer short-term lockers where you can store luggage securely while hiking or sightseeing.
Traveling light: Bring a daypack with essentials for short hikes and excursions, and leave the bulk of your luggage in your hotel or a secure storage facility along the way.

In summary, while leaving luggage in your vehicle for short stops may be possible if you take strict precautions, it’s safer and more convenient to plan around luggage storage solutions whenever available. This will allow you to enjoy activities like Exit Glacier or small hikes without worrying about your belongings.