Plan A Field Trip

A field trip to Denali is a great way for hands-on learning

nps image / nathan kostegian

 

Whether you plan your own trip entirely, or would like to meet up with a ranger, a variety of opportunities are available to educational groups visiting the park. Please be aware that ranger program schedules, facility hours of operation, road access, and ranger availability change with the seasons.

Once you have explored these links, contact us via the park information line (907-683-9532) or via email, if you have further questions regarding your trip logistics.

 

Apply for a Fee Waiver	Denali collects a park entrance fee, but education groups may apply to have that fee waived. Fee waivers do not change campground or bus ticket fees that a group may incur.
Stop by the Denali Visitor Center	Dozens of interpretative exhibits showcase the natural and cultural history of the park. The 17 minute feature film "Heartbeats of Denali" plays at the visitor center theater throughout the day. Ranger-led programs are presented daily in the theater, and ranger-guided hikes are offered from the center.
Discover the Murie Science and Learning Center	The Murie Center is a year-round education facility and science outreach hub. A wolf skeleton guards the lobby and a half dozen kiosks feature park science conducted in Denali and other northern Alaska national parks. Staff offer interactive science presentations throughout the summer.
Visit the Sled Dog Kennels	Denali is home to a kennel of working sled dogs. In summer, attend a ranger-led program (3 per day in mid-summer; please contact us in advance). Any time of the year, make your way there to meet the dogs on your own.
Sight-see By Bus	Non-commercial vehicles are welcome to drive the first fifteen miles of the park road. Courtesy buses are also available for that portion of the road. To travel beyond Mile 15, most school groups choose to use the non-narrated "shuttle bus" system, but there are myriad options available. A bus trip down the park road is the most-likely way to view wildlife, and to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Denali. In winter, the park road is only maintained to Park Headquarters, Mile 3. Access beyond Headquarters is only possible on foot.
Attend a Ranger Program	In summer, many free ranger programs are offered on a regular schedule. For small groups, there is typically no need to pre-register. For large groups, please contact us in advance so we can accommodate you. You can also arrange a special ranger program specifically for your group.
Go Hiking	School groups may join rangers on regularly scheduled walks in the park entrance area and the Eielson Stroll, though we would appreciate notification for large groups. Guided hiking is allowed in Denali on certain trails and requires a special use permit (to apply, contact us). This regulation applies to teachers and instructors leading groups of any age in the park. Group members may hike unaccompanied by a leader. However, as articulated in the park's Backcountry Management Plan, off-trail hiking parties of individuals cannot exceed 12 total in number to minimize disturbance and impacts.
Camp Overnight	In summer, a limited number of sites at the Savage River Campground may be reserved for group use. Each site accommodates a maximum of 20 people. Riley Creek Campground is open year-round, and there are no camping fees from mid-September to mid-May each year. If group campsites are unavailable during your visit, it is permissible for groups to reserve more than one regular campsite (each site sleeps 4 to 8 people, depending on the campground) in order to accommodate all group members. Adjoining sites will not always be available, as campsites are occupied on a first-come-first-serve basis. The sites are designed to accommodate only a small number of individuals both for recreating and for sleeping. If you have to break up into smaller groups, please spread your activities among the sites rather than congregate in one site. Care should be taken not to trample vegetation between adjoining campsites. Educator-led backpacking trips in the park are not permitted without a permit. Contact us for more information. In winter, free camping is available at Riley Creek Campground. Be prepared for extremely cold temperatures. There are no amenities other than pit toilets in winter.
Stay Safe	Know what to do in the event of wildlife encounters and how to seek emergency help. Prepare for chilly, unpredictable weather.
Amenities, Goods and Services	Learn the location of bathrooms, food, water, the central lost and found office, picnic areas, and more on our goods and services page.
Other Educational Programs	Our non-profit partner, Alaska Geographic, offers a variety of classroom and field-based activities for groups through the Murie Science and Learning Center. Some are free, while others require advance registration and payment of fees. Alaska Geographic also offers custom education programs by request.