The Denali Backcountry Adventure is an unscripted discovery of nature. Our 92-mile journey to the heart of Denali National Park delivers the experience of a lifetime through the unexpected sights and sounds of the Alaskan wilderness.
In one day, you will travel the single road into the deepest reaches of Denali, seeing wildlife, untouched nature and rugged landscapes. Your driver-guide is a gifted storyteller with an eye for safety and a radar-like ability to spot wildlife. Time seems to fly by as your journey past stunning landmarks in the vastness of Denali National Park.
Lunch is served in the warm, welcoming Miner’s Day Lodge at Denali Backcountry Lodge in the remote end-of-the-road community of Kantishna. Immersive activities will connect you with the history of this special place.
The journey out of the park is just as full of magic. The light is different, the chances of spotting wildlife different, and by this point, you’ll feel different as well. You’ll have a deep appreciation for the preservation of this remarkable place—how the vast wilderness can be both calming and inspiring.
Keep your binoculars and cameras ready. While our driver-guides sometimes seems to have eyes on the back of their heads, it’s a group effort to spot wildlife in the sprawling wilderness of Denali.
Scan the landscape for anomalies—an off color, a strange shape or anything that’s moving. And then holler if you see something interesting. Our driver-guides know a whole lot about the animals of Denali.
There are 39 species of mammals and 169 species of birds in Denali. This includes the “Big Five”—grizzly bear, moose, Dall sheep, caribou and wolf. But don’t forget about the little guys—hares, pikas, voles and shrews.
Your best chances to see wildlife are on the bus that takes you furthest into the national park. It gives you time to see more of the wilderness and to come to understand it’s mysteries in a more intimate way. By the time you’re en route out of Kantishna, you’ll be a seasoned park traveler.
