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.
Trail Work: National Trails Day 2024
Saturday, June 1, 9 am-3 pm
The Denali National Park and Preserve Trail Crew and Volunteer Program are once again hosting National Trails Day.
Kick off your summer with a day on the trail, join us for some real trail work and construction!
Try your hand at trail maintenance activities such as hauling brush, moving rocks, 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.
Who: You and your friends/family. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participation is limited to 25 volunteers so be sure to call and reserve your space.
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 1, at 9 a.m. The work day will conclude at 3 p.m.
Due to space and parking limitations, volunteers will need to sign up in advance. Please call the Denali National Park Volunteer office at 907-683-9504 to RSVP.
Overnight accommodations, like a hut or campsite may be available to those who need them. Please make arrangements for camping in advance by contacting the Volunteer Office.
Every volunteer will receive a thank-you gift, and each adult will receive a voucher for a shuttle bus ride in the park (you choose the date, includes park entrance fee) or a night in one of the park’s campgrounds (must be present for orientation and the duration of the project day).
Questions: Contact the Volunteer Office at 907-683-9504.
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.
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.
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 15, 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 at 907-683-9504.
Every volunteer will receive a thank-you gift, and each adult will receive a voucher for a shuttle bus ride in the park (you choose the date, includes park entrance fee) or a night in one of the park’s campgrounds (must be present for orientation and the duration of the project day).
For more information or to reserve overnight accommodations contact the Volunteer Office at 907-683-9504.
Native Seed Collection: Need-for-Seed 2024
Saturday, August 10, 9 am-1 pm
Help harvest and dry native seeds while learning about Denali’s native plants and restoration projects in the park.
Everyone is welcome to enjoy a day in the park while learning about native plants and seeds and their role in preserving the park’s ecosystem.
Park staff will set up several work areas so volunteers can choose where they would like to work in the park's "front country." Volunteers should expect to walk anywhere from a few hundred feet to up one or two miles over mostly flat terrain collecting native seeds.
No special skills or tools are required; volunteers will receive instructions how to identify the plants from which they will collect seeds. 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 in Need for Seed.
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 10, 9 am - 1 pm
Where: Meet at Headquarters flagpole (mile 3.1 Denali Park Road), look for uniformed employees.
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 at 907-683-9504.
Every volunteer will receive a thank-you gift, and each adult will receive a voucher for a shuttle bus ride in the park (you choose the date, includes park entrance fee) or a night in one of the park’s campgrounds (must be present for orientation and the duration of the project day).
For more information or to reserve overnight accommodations contact the Volunteer Office at 907-683-9504.
Community Clean Up: Talkeetna River Clean Up Day 2024
Date: Saturday, August 24, 10 am-2 pm
Denali National Park and Preserve and the Susitna River Coalition invite you to help clean up along Talkeetna’s popular Chase Trail and along the riverfront.
Join us for Talkeetna River Clean-Up Day for a fun, family-oriented activity while helping us preserve this area’s natural beauty.
Who: You and your friends/family. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
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 24, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Meet in front of the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station, 22241 S. B St. Parking is available at the ranger station.
Questions? Contact the volunteer office at 907-683-6444 or email the Volunteer Office.
Every volunteer will receive a thank-you gift, and each adult will receive a voucher for a shuttle bus ride in the park (you choose the date, includes park entrance fee) or a night in one of the park’s campgrounds (must be present for orientation and the duration of the project day).
Volunteer Positions
When full or part-time volunteer positions are available, they will appear below.
Last updated: July 13, 2024
Park footer
Contact Info
Mailing Address:
PO Box 9
Denali Park,
AK
99755
Phone:
907 683-9532
A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller.
