Walks and Hikes

Joining a ranger on the trail is an excellent way to learn more about Denali.

While on a guided walk, you will experience the park with all your senses. You may or may not see wildlife, but you will certainly see signs of their passing. You will also see the indelible traces of winter, the dominant season that shapes all life in the subarctic.

Ranger-led walks are offered from late May to mid-September each year. Check our event calendar for specific dates (updated each spring for the coming summer). Trail descriptions are below; you may also want to check out a map of hiking trails in the park.

Guided Nature Walk

Join a ranger for a walk on a trail starting from the Denali Visitor Center. Parking is available at the visitor center. No sign-up is required—simply arrive a few minutes before the walk begins. The trail route varies depending on the season and conditions.

The walk is an easy pace, though trail slope does change from easy to moderate at various points. In wet weather, the trails can be muddy in some areas.

• Times: 10 am and 2 pm. Schedule subject to change, check at the visitor center upon arrival for details.
• Dates offered: Most days, June 1 through mid-September
• Duration: Approximately two hours
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Distance: Varies; up to 3 miles round-trip
• Highlights: Explore the taiga ecosystem; this habitat is home to the red squirrel, moose, spruce grouse, and a wide variety of flowers or berries depending on the season.
• Elevation change: Varies, up to ~250 feet
• Grade: Generally from 0% to 8%, potential for 25% in a limited section
• Width: 60–72 inches
• Surface: Well compacted gravel for much of the hike, some sections of native soils with roots and rocks

American Sign Language

Our goal is to provide American Sign Language interpretation, when requested, for all ranger programs. Denali is very remote, however, so please request ASL interpretation as early as possible and at least two weeks in advance to ensure that we can accommodate your request.