Camp Denali Lodge

Camp Denali Lodge and Cabins - Denali National Park

About Camp Denali Lodge

Within majestic views of Mt. McKinley you will find Camp Denali situated on 67 acres of rising terrain. The original hand-hewn lodge was founded in 1954, centered on a pond that reflects the major peaks of the Alaska Range. Guest cabins are set along an ascending ridgeline to take best advantage of the surrounding views. Only a few steps from the cabins you will find the new dining hall, a modern shower and bathroom facility and a natural and cultural history exhibit space. <br /> The rustic guest cabins, each with a unique view of Mt. McKinley feature propane lights, a propane hot plate for heating water, a small woodstove for heat, and a private, well-maintained outhouse. The comfortable beds are decorated with hand-crafted quilts that reflects the abiding attention to details. The modern shower facility with private shower rooms is located nearby. Each cabin sleeps from two to six people. There’s no TV and no bar available, just the quiet of surrounding wilderness and simple, sustainable amenities for around 38 guests that have remained true to the founders’ conviction to maintain a light touch on the land.

Activities at Camp Denali Lodge

After a hearty breakfast your day is filled with activities. Discuss with your guide each morning available tours requiring different levels of physical activity. Join the naturalist guides to explore different areas of the park from remote alpine valleys to tundra-covered ridges and experience a variety of geologic formations, wildlife habitat and scenery. The guides are highly trained and practiced in interpreting biology, botany, sub-arctic ecology, geology, bird life and Alaska’s history. If you prefer exploring Denali on your own, the lodge has mountain bikes, canoes at Wonder Lake and fishing gear available for your use. Evening programs further acquaint you with the natural and cultural heritage of the Far North. During some sessions, nationally respected academics and other experts join the programs.

Meals at Camp Denali Lodge

Meals at Camp Denali play an important role. All meals are carefully prepared with fresh ingredients and creatively served. Despite challenging logistics, fresh halibut, antibiotic-free meats, and locally grown, organic produce, including that raised in an on-site greenhouse, contribute to the lodge’s artisan cuisine. Breads, pastries and desserts are baked freshly on premises. At dinner, fine cuisine enhances the camaraderie of recounting the day’s activities.

How to get to Camp Denali Lodge

Board the private bus at the train station in Denali Village and enjoy the 6 hr scenic ride alongside the park road. Board the bus, sit back, enjoy the scenery, look out for wildlife and towering Mt. McKinley. Your driver, an experienced naturalist guide interprets the geology, ecology and history of the park as you travel through it. The bus stops to enjoy scenery and wildlife sightings including caribou, Golden Eagle, or a grizzly bear. A hearty, picnic-style dinner is served at the midpoint of the drive alongside the East Fork river as your evening meal.

Schedule

01:30 PM Depart Denali Park Depot, Check in time: 12:30 PM
04:00 PM Picnic Dinner enroute
08:30 PM Arrive at North Face Lodge
06:45 AM Depart North Face Lodge
11:30 AM Arrive Denali Park Depot

Services Included

Sightseeing Tours Denali

Sightseeing and Activity Program - Denali National Park

Kantishna Wilderness Trails

The Kantishna Wilderness Trails Tour is ideal for visitors who wish to travel all the way to Kantishna Roadhouse, located at the far end of the Denali Park Road. The full day trip covers the entire 190 miles of the Denali Park Road and takes 13 hours. The motorcoach features more comfortable seats than the shuttle bus which makes the long journey more pleasant. Enjoy the scenery and look out for wildlife while your naturalist guide informs you about the history of Denali National Park, its diverse wildlife and flora. Once a bear, caribou or another animal has been spotted the bus will stop that everyone can watch and take pictures. The wilderness backcountry of Denali National Park is home to famous "Denali Big Five” which are Dall Sheep, Moose, Grizzly Bears, Wolves and Caribou. Forests and high alpine tundra are also home to porcupine, hare, squirrel, marmot, mink, marten, beaver, lynx, fox and over 100 different species of birds. The tour stops halfway through and again at Kantishna Roadhouse where you enjoy a hot lunch. While staying at Kantishna you can enjoy guided activities - try your luck gold panning, explore the area or watch a sled-dog demonstration. Kantishna itself is located in a historic mining district and has lots of history. Afterwards you will get back on the bus and enjoy the scenic return trip to the park entrance. Since it is quite a long day, we do not recommend any children younger than 6 years. Adult: $159 + $10 Park Fee

Tundra Wildlife Tour

The Tundra Wilderness Tour takes visitors 54 miles to the Toklat River rest area, about halfway of the Denali Park Road. If 20.320 ft. Mt. McKinley is visible, the bus tour continues for another 8 miles to Stony Hill Overlook where you enjoy fantastic views of the entire mountain. The wilderness backcountry of Denali National Park is home to famous "Denali Big Five” which are Dall Sheep, Moose, Grizzly Bears, Wolves and Caribou. Forests and high alpine tundra are also home to porcupine, hare, squirrel, marmot, mink, marten, beaver, lynx, fox and over 100 different species of birds. The difference to the regular Denali shuttle bus is not significant, though the Tundra Wilderness Tour features more comfortable seats, you have a naturalist guide onboard who is expert in spotting wildlife and knows Denali National Park by heart. The Tundra Wildlife tour bus is furthermore equipped with video monitors that allow the driver to zoom in on wildlife so you can get a close-up look at the action. Along the way you enjoy small snacks and a hot beverage. During this guided tour you cannot get off the bus or switch buses. In this case we suggest using the shuttle bus system. Adult: $149 + $10 Park Fee

Denali River Float - 2 hrs

The peaceful scenic float starts at Denali Village and takes you 11 miles downstream on the Nenana River. Hold on and experience stunning vistas of Denali and the Alaska Range. Enjoy the Alaskan splendor as you view the Yanert Fork River, Musher's Monument and Mount Fellows. You maybe lucky to spot a moose, sheep, caribou or a bear strolling along the shoreline. This trip is suitable to all ages and abilities as the rapids are rated class II and mild class III. Families with small children (5 years and older) and the less adventurous will discover the joys of rafting. It is your choice to paddle or let your professional rafting guide do the paddling. Adult: $81

Denali Whitewater Rafting Tour - 2 hrs

Whitewater as its best ! Hang on, it's whitewater ahead! You will definitely get wet during the wild 11-mile run on the glacially-fed Nenana River. This challenging watercourse descends through spectacular landscapes along the border of Denali National Park. Expect to encounter over 10 thrilling Class III to Class IV rapids in the Nenana River Canyon such as "Cable Car", "Coffee Grinder", and "Ice Worm"! No experience is required but children need to be 12 years or older. It is your choice to paddle or let your professional rafting guide do the paddling. Adult: $81

Denali Float & Raft Combination - 4 hrs

If you want to experience it all - take the combination of the Denali float & raft trip. Your journey starts at Denali Village where you first encounter the most scenic and beautiful portion of the Nenana River. This is your chance to sit back and enjoy the rugged wilderness as you encounter only mild class II rapids. After a brief break you continue with the "Canyon Run"! Hang on, it's whitewater ahead! You will definitely get wet during the wild 11-mile run on the glacially-fed Nenana River. This challenging watercourse descends through spectacular landscapes along the border of Denali National Park. Expect to encounter over 10 thrilling Class III to Class IV rapids in the Nenana River Canyon such as "Cable Car", "Coffee Grinder", and "Ice Worm"! No experience is required but children need to be 12 years or older. It is your choice to paddle or let your professional rafting guide do the paddling. Adult $110

Denali Flightseeing Tour from Talkeetna - 1 hr

This scenic 1-hour flightseeing tour takes you within six miles of Mt. McKinley's summit. Fly over the lush green wetlands of the northern Boreal forest and see how the ice age has shaped the land. Enter the world of rugged mountain peaks and wide glacier filled valleys. See the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier, mile high granite walls filled with a 4,000 foot thick river of ice, the deepest canyon in North America. Moments later your will view the Don Sheldon amphitheater. Take pictures of stunning snow-capped peaks, intense blue meltwater pools and cascading icefalls. Adult $190

Grande Denali Flightseeing Tour - Denali Village

The Grande Summit Flightseeing Tour is the most complete and exciting flightseeing tour as the flight will take you completely around Mt McKinley. View the many geological changes as you complete a circumnavigation of Mt. McKinley, and its ridges and faces. You will see the south side of Mt. McKinley, including the Kahiltna Glacier, McKinley's famous west buttress, Sheldon Amphitheater, Ruth Glacier, and the Great Gorge. Cross over the divide of the Alaska Range revealing the arctic alpine tundra of the north side of Denali Park’s remote interior. Moments later you will see Wickersham Wall of McKinley, with 14,000 ft the greatest continual vertical relief in the world. Adult $349

Denali Helicopter Hiking Tour - 4 hrs

The 4-hour helicopter hiking tour takes you to the wild Alaskan backcountry of Denali National Park. Your trip starts in Denali Village where you take a 15-minute helicopter flight to the top of a ridge overlooking spectacular vistas of the Alaska Range and Yanert Valley. From here your experienced naturalist guide will show you the remote area of Denali Park. Enjoy the easy hike in the shadow of towering Mt. McKinley on the western horizon and the 12,339-foot Mt. Deborah and the 13,832-foout Mt. Hayes to the east. During the educational soft-adventure hike above tree line you’ll learn how to track animals, interpret the flora and fauna and may even spot some of the local wildlife in their natural habitat. You may also see a variety of wildlife as everyone does their best to spot Dall sheep, caribou, moose and bear, as well as hoary marmots pikas and birds of Interior Alaska. Later relax on a hillside over looking the valley and enjoy a small snack. Limited to small groups of no more than 12, this truly unique tour will leave you with a new appreciation for Alaska. Adult $449