In Denali National Park and Preserve, as in all national parks, commercial business activities are limited and require specific authorization and approval from the National Park Service before any guided activity or business can occur.
You will find that some businesses can conduct activities in only specific areas of Denali. There are references to Wilderness areas, park areas, and preserve areas. These distinct sections of Denali can be seen on various park maps.
This page lists private businesses and non-profits with permission to guide various kinds of experiences in Denali. There are also a variety of free summer park ranger programs available.
JV holds a concession contract to perform multiple visitor services within Denali. JV is authorized by the National Park Service to provide transportation services, including park shuttle, tour, camper and courtesy buses.
Morino Grill - to-go items and coffee cart available all day, and serving lunch and dinner.
Wilderness Access Center - transportation hub for shuttle buses; source of bus and campground reservations; gift shop and coffee cart available all day
Riley Creek Mercantile - camper convenience store, including coffee and deli sandwiches
Riley Creek Campground facilities and amenities - laundry and shower house, RV dump station, campground hosts and management
Mountaineering Guides
Six companies offer guided mountaineering "on Mt. McKinley and Mt. Foraker and other peaks of the Alaska Range within Denali National Park as its boundary existed prior to December 2, 1980."
Other mountaineering guides are permitted, with the issuance of a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA), to guide climbers outside the Wilderness area of Denali, in the "new park additions" that were added after December 2, 1980. Please email us to learn more about companies that may guide clients outside of the Wilderness area.
Four air taxi services are authorized to provide air taxi and scenic air tours with glacier landings on the glaciers in the southern park and preserve.
Kantishna Air Taxi provides air taxi services between the McKinley Park Airstrip, at the park entrance, and the Kantishna Airstrip, as well as flightseeing services from Kantishna.
Other air taxi companies may operate in the preserve areas of the park.
Passenger service
Two concessioners offer overnight sled dog passenger service and overnight sled dog-supported ski trips within Denali National Park and Preserve.
Sport Hunting Guides
Two Alaska State-registered guide/outfitters are authorized to provide hunting guide services in the southwest preserve area of Denali.
Skiing Guides
Two companies are authorized, through the issuance of a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA), to operate outside the Wilderness area of the park.
The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) focuses its mission on providing research, discovery, and learning opportunities within arctic and subarctic national parks to promote appreciation and caring for our natural and cultural heritage. Through the MSLC, the Park Service partners with professional education groups to offer a wide diversity of education programs aimed at youth, lifetime learners, and custom education groups. If you wish to bring a science or education group to Denali, you may want to explore these free and fee-based programs.
