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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.

 

Dandelion Demolition is Saturday, June 23

Ever wonder what it means to be Denali National Park and Preserve’s “Dandelion Queen?” Join her crew and other park staff for Dandelion Demolition 2018.

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.

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.

Work and Play

• Help dig up invasive dandelions in Denali
• Learn about Denali's native plants and restoration projects in the park
• Earn a free voucher for a future bus ride into the park

More Details

• 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 23. Meet at 9 a.m. The work day will conclude by 4 p.m.
• Where: Meet in the automobile (not RV) parking lot on the north side of the Denali Visitor Center, located at mile 1.2 on the Denali Park Road. Look for uniformed NPS employees.

Campsites may be available to those who need them. Please make arrangements for camping in advance by contacting the park's Volunteer Office.

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

Questions: Contact the Denali National Park and Preserve Volunteer Office by Email or call 907-683-9504.

 

The Alpine Forget-me-Not is the Alaska state flower.

NPS photo/Jacob W. Frank

Need for Seed is Saturday, August 11

Want to learn more about native plants and seeds? Want to help collect seeds for future re-vegetation projects?

Join our Vegetation Crew to harvest seeds from some of Denali's native plants.

Work and Play

• Help harvest and dry native seeds around the Denali Visitor Center
• Learn about Denali's native plants and restoration projects in the park
• Earn a free voucher for a future bus ride into the park

More Details

• 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, August 11. Meet at 9 a.m. The work day will conclude by 4 p.m.
• Where: Meet in the automobile (not RV) parking lot on the north side of the Denali Visitor Center, located at mile 1.2 on the Denali Park Road. Look for uniformed NPS employees.

Campsites may be available to those who need them. Please make arrangements for camping in advance by contacting the park's Volunteer Office.

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

Questions: Contact the Denali National Park and Preserve Volunteer Office by Email or call 907-683-9504.

 

National Trails Day is Saturday, June 2

Kick off your summer with a day on the trail!

Join the Denali Trail Crew for a day of work on trails near the Riley Creek Day Use Area and the Triple Lakes Trail.

Try your hand at trail maintenance activities such as hauling brush, constructing trail,
and rehabilitating disturbed areas. Expect 2 to 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.

More Details

• 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 2. Meet at 9 a.m. The work day will conclude by 4 p.m.
• Where: Meet at the Riley Creek Day Use Area, located near the park entrance on the Denali Park Road. By car, turn into the park off of Highway 3 and turn left immediately at the sign for the Post Office. Drive past the post office and turn left again, down a dirt road. After about 100 yards, you'll reach the picnic area. Look for uniformed NPS employees.

Overnight accommodations, like a wall tent or campsite may be available to those who need them. Please make arrangements for camping in advance by contacting the park's Volunteer Office.

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

Questions: Contact the Denali National Park and Preserve Volunteer Office by Email or call 907-683-9504.

 

Current Volunteer Opportunities

In their own words
"Volunteering at Denali National Park was a once in a lifetime experience. We were fortunate enough to work at Eielson Visitor Center ... and live at Toklat in the interior of the park. Wow! The people were absolutely wonderful. They were totally accepting of us and included us in all activities as if we were park service employees. Some have become lifelong friends. Their trust in us allowed us to staff the visitor center solo, give campground talks at Wonder Lake, and lead Discovery Hikes, our favorite activity.

We experienced bears just about every day. A nearby pack of wolves with six pups provided entertainment and inspiration. The views of "the mountain" were unbelievable. Hiking in the wilderness gave us a sense of life there and a sense of ourselves. We hope we were able to give a tiny bit back for what we received from the experience."

Bill and Barbara Wellman, 2004

"Spring newborns ... rushing streams ... beautiful flowers ... rugged, snow-capped mountains ... acres of untouched wilderness ... close-up sightings of wildlife living in their natural habitat, unaffected by human interference ... spectacular colors ... places to explore ... majesty Mount McKinley ... new friends! What better place than Denali National Park and Preserve to volunteer!"

Ron and Beth Shugan
Teklanika Campground hosts, 2006 - 09

 

America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Volunteer Pass
This pass is for volunteers who donate 250 hours on a cumulative basis. Valid for a year from the date of being awarded, it provides access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas and admits the pass holder plus three other adults at per-person fee areas. Children under 16 are admitted free.

 

If you have further questions, please contact:

Volunteer Coordinator
Denali National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755

907-683-9504 or e-mail.