A backcountry ranger gives hikers a safety briefing before they set off into the park.
Getting started
Planning a backcountry trip in Denali is unlike most other national parks. Denali is about the size of Vermont, with only a handful of trails - most of which are near the entrance of the park for day-hiking, rather than overnight backpacking.
Permits are issued only in person, no more than a day before you begin your backcountry adventure - so use the information on this site as a guide, to familiarize yourself with the permit process and the landscape of Denali, but be ready to hash out the details of your itinerary only once you're in the park, speaking to one of our backcountry rangers. You may also enjoy checking out our landscape panoramas, to get a sense of the scenery and terrain in the park.
Did You Know? Denali pays close attention to visitor comments. Please tell us ... Were your expectations satisfied by your experience? What worked, and what didn't work during your visit? Do you have suggestions for improvement? more...