Volunteer

The volunteer program at Denali

Each year, volunteers contribute more than 60,000 hours to Denali National Park and Preserve. Retired couples, individuals, school groups, scouts, clubs and organizations - people just like you - donate their time and efforts to provide essential services at Denali's visitor centers, offices, kennel operations, campgrounds and even on the majestic slopes of North America's highest mountain. Our volunteers also contribute long hours constructing trails, eradicating invasive plants, gathering native seeds and assisting park researchers with a variety of projects.

More than 500 people annually make the time to give something back to this American treasure in Alaska. Depending on the opportunity, volunteers may donate several months at a time or perhaps a few hours. If this sounds like something you may be interested in, please read further.

During the summer months, housing within the park is limited. We have dedicated trailer pads with hook-ups in the headquarters area, and one trailer pad at Wonder Lake Campground.

If experiencing Denali in the winter interests you, we have lots of housing and projects to keep a person busy. The "off" season is a great time for us to organize and prepare for the busy summer.

 

Summer Events - 2019

 

There's something for everyone on National Trails Day. Denali welcomes volunteers of all ages and skill levels.

NPS photo/VolunteerLindemann

National Trails Day - Saturday, June 1

Celebrate National Trails Day with the Denali Trail Crew.

Try your hand at trail maintenance activities such as hauling brush, constructing trail, and rehabilitating disturbed areas. Expect 2-4 miles of moderate hiking over uneven terrain. This is a great opportunity to learn how trails are built in a sub-arctic environment. It will also be a chance to get your hands dirty as you help maintain a part of this special place.

 

Volunteer trail workers perform all kinds of duties, like removing tripping hazards from the park's more-traveled trails.

NPS photo/VolunteerLindemann

• Who: You and your friends/family. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• What: Hands-on conservation work.
• Prepare: Contact the Volunteer Office to sign up; this year's project is limited to 20 participants.
• Bring: water, snacks, hiking boots, rain gear and clothing layers. Safety gear and tools will be provided.
• When: Saturday, June 1, at 9 a.m. The work day will conclude by lunchtime.
• Where: We'll pass along directions where to meet when you sign up.

Overnight accommodations, like a hut or campsite, may be available to those who need them. Please make arrangements for camping when you sign up.

Every volunteer will receive a thank-you gift and each adult will receive a voucher for a transit bus ride in the park (you choose the date, includes park entrance fee).

For more information or to sign up for National Trails Day contact the Volunteer Office at 907-683-9504.

 

Is this a native dandelion or an exotic dandelion? These and other questions will be answered at Dandelion Demolition 2019.

NPS photo

Dandelion Demolition - Saturday, June 8

Invasive Plant Management? Yes!

Volunteers will try their hands at exotic-invasive vegetation removal. They will learn the difference between native dandelions and invasive dandelions in the park, and then demolish the invaders.

Staff will set up several work areas so volunteers may choose where they would like to work and how far they would like to walk or hike to reach the sites. At least one work area will be near the Denali Park Road and one will be along a nearby trail; volunteers can expect anywhere from a few hundred feet of walking over easy terrain to one to two miles of moderate hiking over uneven terrain.

Volunteers will use hand tools to properly dig up invasive dandelions and complete the project.

This is a great opportunity to learn how invasive species can harm the park's ecosystem and why it is so important to help native species thrive on the fragile tundra.

Volunteers who do not mind getting their hands dirty and who want to help maintain a part of this special place are encouraged to participate.

 

Digging up invasive plant species is important to Denali's ecosystem and it's something you can do in a group, by yourself or with a friend.

NPS photo

• Who: You and your friends/family. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• What: Hands-on conservation work.
• Bring: water, snacks, lunch, hiking boots, rain gear and clothing layers. Safety gear and tools will be provided.
• When: Saturday, June 8, at 9 a.m. The work day will conclude by 2 pm.
• Where: Meet in the upper automobile parking lot at the Denali Visitor Center, look for park staff in uniform.

Overnight accommodations, like a hut or campsite, may be available to those who need them. Please make arrangements in advance by contacting the Volunteer Office.

Every volunteer will receive a thank-you gift and each adult will receive a voucher for a transit bus ride in the park (you choose the date, includes park entrance fee).

For more information or to reserve overnight accommodations contact the Volunteer Office at 907-683-9504.