Frequently Asked Questions

Available stays are 2, 3, 4 and 7-nights so you can make the most of your time at Denali Backcountry Lodge. We recommend staying for three or four nights so you can fully explore the area and experience the activities offered.

Your helicopter ride will depart from the Denali National Park entrance at Temsco Aviation Self-driving guests with vehicles must park at Denali Cabins where an included complimentary shuttle is available for transfers to/from the air base. Parking and luggage storage is available at Denali Cabins for all guests arriving via car, Park Connection and Alaska Railroad while they are staying at the Denali Backcountry Lodge. Please call the Denali Cabins front desk at 907.683.2643 to confirm your pick-up location 72 hours prior to arrival.

Denali Backcountry Lodge will be the ONLY lodge offering fly-in helicopter transfers and you will be one of the few that gets to experience this as part of the ultimate Alaska backcountry stay.

If your schedule and itinerary allow, we recommend a pre and post night at our partner property, Denali Cabins, or stays in Talkeetna (2.5 hour drive) or Fairbanks (2.5 hour drive). The transfer check-in time is 10:30 a.m. at the Denali Cabins and staying within driving distance or locally in Denali is recommended. Call our experts 800.808.8068 who will be able to help you make the most of your time in Denali.

Yes. We are currently not offering child rates, however, all family members are welcome at the lodge. Please note babysitting services or planned kids activities are not provided, though they are welcome to join and participate in all available activities.

The first helicopter flights depart at 11:45 a.m. at Temsco Aviation air base. Check-in at Temsco Aviation is 11:30 a.m. Plan to arrive and check-in at Denali Cabins at 10:30 a.m. This will give you time to park your vehicle if you have one; and adjust your luggage down to 40 pounds per person for your stay.

Flight times will be assigned 72 hours prior to departure so please check-in by calling the Denali Cabins at 907.683.2643 prior to arrival if you have not heard from us.

Yes, due to the weight and balance of the aircraft each guest will be limited to the following:

• Maximum 40 lbs./18kg per person of luggage.
• Soft sided on all sides. Roller duffel bags will not be permitted.

Should your bags not meet these requirements, there are limited number of soft-sided bags available for guest transfer and use. For excess bags, complimentary luggage storage is available at Denali Cabins. Please make sure your luggage has a name tag attached to the outside of each bag.

If you are traveling to Denali with the Alaska Railroad or Park Connection Bus, please note that you will need to stay overnight at the park entrance before heading to Denali Backcountry Lodge. Their scheduled arrival times do not align with the departure time to the lodge.*

We strongly recommend an additional night’s stay at the park entrance to allow for potential travel delays. After your stay, you can depart on the afternoon train to Fairbanks OR the bus to Anchorage. Other transportation options are available for the morning AFTER your return to the park entrance.

*Transportation is subject to delays, in this event we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Though we cannot guarantee it, the northern lights can be spotted in Denali National Park if you visit at the right time of year. The only opportunities to see the northern lights from the Denali Backcountry Lodge are in late August and September when summer days begin to lose light and give way to darker nights. The best conditions for northern lights viewing include darkness and clear skies.

All of your non-alcoholic beverages, meals, snacks and appetizers are included with your stay at the Denali Backcountry Lodge and are served in the Main Lodge. The Main Lodge bar is open daily for those that wish to purchase alcoholic beverages at an additional cost.

Based on Denali Backcountry Lodge's exclusive experience and personalized service, a suggested gratuity of 5% to 10% of the cost of your stay is recommended. If you have purchased alcohol at the lodge's bar during your stay, you can simply add a gratuity when you settle your tab.*

*Due to the remote location, Denali Backcountry Lodge will not be be accepting cash as payment. No ATM is available at Denali Backcountry Lodge.

Kantishna, the “end of the road” former gold mining community, is located at the end of the Denali Park Road at Mile 92 in the heart of Denali National Park.

Absolutely! We love exploring the backcountry, and our local staff can help you select a trail by sharing their favorite hiking locations. If you plan to go on a longer hike, we can also make sure you're prepared with a packed lunch. Bear spray is always available for all guests during their stay.

If you do plan on hiking on your own, we suggest bringing your own satellite communication device for use in emergency situations.

We offer a variety of day hikes ranging from casual to challenging, so everyone can be included. However, we also have set days for full-day hikes for all guests to participate and enjoy extended time in the wilderness. Keep in mind that we explore Denali rain or shine, so come prepared with rain gear, sturdy waterproof hiking boots and a healthy sense of adventure.

Yes. All available cabins include private bathrooms, electricity and heat.

All water fixtures at Denali Backcountry Lodge are designated as low-flow to help conserve water. Water is pulled from on-property wells which are then filtered and distributed to cabins.

Though we cannot guarantee it, it is always possible you may spot wildlife while exploring Denali National Park and in Denali's backcountry.

Equipment rentals at the Denali Backcountry Lodge are free and included with all length of stays. This includes:

• Mountain bikes
• Bear spray
• Fishing gear including rods, reels, chest waders, and fishing boots
• Mosquito head nets
• Trekking poles
• Gold panning equipment
• Paddles boards and kayaks