NPS Photo

Visitors enjoy a ranger-led Discovery Hike.

Guided Hikes

A variety of Ranger led walks and hikes are offered throughout the park. Joining a ranger is an excellent way to learn more about Denali National Park.





Most ranger-led hikes are along trails, starting at either the Denali Visitor Center (mile 1.5) or Eielson Visitor Center (mile 66). These hikes are:

Horseshoe Lake Trail Hike
McKinley Station Trail Walk
Eielson Stroll

Denali rangers also offer a daily off-trail hike, called a Discovery Hike.

Horseshoe Lake Hike (Daily, starting June 8)

Offered daily at 10:00 am, the Horseshoe Lake Hike starts from the Denali Visitor Center, mile 1.5 on the Park Road. Parking is available at the center. No sign-up is required - simply arrive at the center a few minutes before the hike begins.

The hike is slow paced, though the trail does vary from easy to moderate at various points. In wet weather, the trail can be muddy in areas. The hike lasts about 2 hours.

Offered: June 8 - mid-September / daily at 10:00 am

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 3 miles round-trip

Highlights: Scenic views of Horseshoe Lake and the Nenana River; occasional sightings of beaver and other wildlife

Elevation change: ~250 feet

Grade: 20% sections

Width: 60 inches

Surface: Native soils with roots and rocks

McKinley Station Walk (Irregular schedule, starting June 1; daily starting June 15)

This 2 hour trail walk starts at the Denali Visitor Center, mile 1.5 on the Park Road. Parking is available at the center. No sign-ups are required - simply arrive at the center a few minutes before the walk begins, at 1:00 pm.

The McKinley Station Trail travels through an area that once housed early pioneers and, for a short while, National Park Service Headquarters in Denali. Occasional human artifacts can be found, including the remnants of a fox-farm. The trail eventually parallels Riley Creek and passes under the Alaska Railroad trestle which spans said creek.

The walk ends at Riley Creek Campground, where folks can catch a courtesy bus back to the Denali Visitor Center.

Offered: June 15 - mid-September / daily at 1:00 pm

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 2.6 miles (2 hours) round-trip

Highlights: Spruce forest; historic pioneer artifacts and remnants of habitation; views of Hines Creek and Riley Creek; views of a railroad trestle spanning Riley Creek, ~ 75 feet overhead

Elevation change: ~200 feet

Grade: 5% sections

Width: 72 inches

Surface: Well-compacted gravel

Discovery Hikes (Daily, starting June 8)

Descriptions of Discovery Hikes offered Saturday, July 4 - Saturday, July 11

Discovery Hikes are a great way for the adventurous and well-prepared to explore the heart of Denali. These ranger-led hikes go everywhere, so expect uneven terrain, small stream crossings, close encounters with dense vegetation, and unpredictable weather. To see if a discovery hike is right for you please take a look at the description and gear information. For safety concerns, rangers may turn away unprepared hikers.

Discovery Hikes are offered daily during the summer and are limited to 11 people. These ranger-led adventures vary from moderate (elevation gain less than 1000 feet) to strenuous (elevation gain more than 1000 feet).

The locations of Discovery Hikes change each day, and schedules are posted weekly at the Visitor Centers and on the web. The Discovery Hike bus leaves and returns from the Wilderness Access Center at Mile 1. Plan on hiking for 3-5 hours. Look at the location of the hike to determine, roughly, how long your bus ride will be.

Offered: June 8 - early September / one hike daily (see below for sign-up procedures)

Cost: $ 31.45 for bus ticket (2009)