CUA: Winter Activities- Guided

Guided Winter Activities

This commercial use authorization permits for guided frontcountry hiking and park road access during the winter season.

2025 Park Specific Stipulations: Guided Winter Activities

Permitted Activities

The Guided Winter Activities Commercial Use Authorization permits road-based transportation and specific incidental activities from September 24- May 10. Incidental activities include short-duration hiking or snowshoeing on designated trails and visits to the Dog Sled Kennels and Mountain Vista Area.

 

Authorized Activity	Details
Driving the park road to Mountain Vista (Mile 12.5)	Road typically opens mid February Driving beyond mile 12.5 is prohibited, even if the road is open to the public Hiking/ snowshoeing the Mountain Vista trail is permitted No group size limit
Guided hiking/ snowshoeing on designated trails	Group size limit is 12 inclusive of guide Up to 4 groups per day Groups must be staggered by 15 minutes Designated trails: McKinley Station, Roadside Bike, Roadside Trail, Rock Creek Trail, Triple Lakes Trail
Visit the Dog Sled Kennels	No group size limit During the winter and early spring, the park dogs are often away from the kennels on extended backcountry operations All visitors must receive a 10-minute Kennels Safety briefing from a ranger before interacting with the dogs If the gate is closed at the kennels, access to the area is strictly prohibited

Authorized Areas

Specified front country trails, driving the park road as far as Mountain Vista, and visiting the Kennels.

Group Size

Total group size is 12, inclusive of CUA holder and employees (guides) except at Mountain Vista and the Kennels.

Guide Certification

• Basic first-aid, CPR, and Leave No Trace certifications are required for Denali CUA holders. No additional certifications are required for this activity.

Safety and Resource Protection

• The CUA holder or guide must remain with their clients for the duration of the trip.
• The CUA holder must provide all clients with an orientation prior to the trip which emphasizes safe practices in extreme winter conditions.
• Passengers may exit at plowed roadside pullouts, but no guided activities are allowed
• Vehicles must have two-way emergency communication (e.g., satellite phone or messaging device). Cell service is unreliable past mile 3.

Additional Regulations and Considerations

• Road closures may occur due to weather or road conditions. Call [phone] for updates.
• There is no guarantee of the condition of the trails as weather can change unexpectedly. Groups may have to break their own trails.
• Minimize idling. Consider engine-off air heaters for interior heat. Extended idling is allowed at Denali Visitor Center; no plug-ins are available at Mountain Vista.

Unauthorized Activities

• Overnight use is prohibited.
• The Horseshoe Lake trail is prohibited.

Download or print these stipulations. CUA holders and their employees are responsible for knowing and following all rules.

 

Authorized Trails View Map

 

2026 Park Specific Stipulations: Guided Winter Activities

Permitted Activities

The Guided Winter Activities CUA permits road-based transportation and specific incidental activities from September 24- May 10. Incidental activities include short-duration hiking or snowshoeing on designated trails and visits to the Dog Sled Kennels and Mountain Vista Area.

Authorized Activity	Details
Driving the park road to Mountain Vista (Mile 12.5)	Road typically opens mid-February. All vehicles permitted. Driving beyond mile 12.5 is prohibited, even if the road is open to the public. Hiking/ snowshoeing the Mountain Vista trail is permitted No group size limit.
Guided hiking/ snowshoeing on designated trails	Group size limit is 12 inclusive of guide. Up to 4 groups per day. Groups must be staggered by 15 minutes. Designated trails: McKinley Station, Roadside Bike, Roadside Trail, Rock Creek Trail, Triple Lakes Trail.
Visit the Dog Sled Kennels	Driving past Mile 1.5 is only allowed when the Kennels are open (Sat-Sun, 1-4 p.m.). Vehicles with a seating capacity of more than 15 passengers (including the driver) are only permitted past Mile 1.5 when the road is open to Mountain Vista. No group size limit. During the winter and early spring, the park dogs are often away from the kennels on extended backcountry operations. All visitors must receive a 10-minute Kennels Safety briefing from a ranger before interacting with the dogs. If the gate is closed at the kennels, access to the area is prohibited.

Authorized Areas

Specified front country trails (see map), driving the park road as far as Mountain Vista, and visiting the Kennels.

Group Size

Total group size is 12, inclusive of CUA holder and employees (guides) except at Mountain Vista and the Kennels.

Guide Certification

• Current basic first-aid and CPR certifications are required for Denali CUA holders.
• Leave No Trace 101 is recommended.
• No additional certifications are required for this activity.

Safety and Resource Protection

• The CUA holder or guide must remain with their clients for the duration of the trip.
• The CUA holder must provide all clients with an orientation prior to the trip which emphasizes safe practices in extreme winter conditions.
• There is no guarantee of the condition of the trails as weather can change unexpectedly. Groups may have to break their own trails.
• Road closures may occur due to weather or road conditions. Call [phone] for updates.
• Passengers may exit at plowed roadside pullouts, but no guided activities are allowed
• Vehicles must have two-way emergency communication (e.g., satellite phone or messaging device). Cell service is unreliable past mile 3.

• Minimize idling. Consider engine-off air heaters for interior heat. Extended idling is allowed at Denali Visitor Center; no plug-ins are available at Mountain Vista.

Unauthorized Activities

• Overnight use is prohibited.
• Parking at the Horseshoe Lake trailhead is prohibited.
• The Horseshoe Lake trail is prohibited.

Download or print these stipulations. CUA holders and their employees are responsible for knowing and following all rules.

 

More Information

• 

  Certifications, Insurance, and Resources

  Information on insurance, certifications, maps, stipulations, and required documents.

• 

  Apply for a CUA

  Information on how to access the CUA Online Application System and submit an application.

• 

  Commercial Use Authorizations in Denali

  Review the CUAs available in Denali and the stipulations for each service type.

 

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