Enjoy a complimentary shuttle from your hotel near Denali National Park with our friendly and professional drivers en route to our private airstrip, located approximately 8 miles south of the road entrance into Denali. The pick-up time at your hotel depends on your hotel location but is approximately 30-60 minutes prior to flight time.
Upon arrival at the airstrip, you will check in at our office and listen to a passenger map briefing to orient you to our location and the flight routes. Your pilot will escort you to one of our comfortable twin engine airplanes and provide a safety orientation to the aircraft before settling each passenger into a window seat. You will depart from the airstrip and in moments cross the Nenana River, the eastern boundary of the National Park. The exact flight route will depend on weather but here are some highlights you can expect:
• Comprehensive views of all the features of the Park that you would otherwise see on a Park bus tour
• Views of the Wickersham Wall, arguably the tallest vertical relief on any mountain in the world. This 14,000 foot sheer wall of ice and snow is the best opportunity you’ll have to gain a stunning perspective of the towering size of Denali.
• Intimate views of the glaciers tumbling down Denali’s north side, including the Traleika, Brooks and the long-running Muldrow flowing from between the north and south summits at 17,000 feet
• Ridge-hopping the dramatic Carpe and Karstens ridgelines, used by the first climbers to summit Denali
• Close views of the south side glaciers, including the deepest glacier (the Ruth), the longest glacier in the Alaska Range (the Kahiltna), the meandering Tokositna and the colorful Eldridge
• Views of the Great Gorge in the expansive Ruth Amphitheater, with its dramatic 5,000 foot granite walls rising straight from glacial ice almost 4,000 feet thick
• Views of Mount Foraker, Mount Russell, and Mount Hunter, the next 3 tallest mountains in the Alaska Range, rounding out the Denali Family
• Views of the most popular climbing routes and climbing camps at various altitudes (during climbing season)
While this flight focuses heavily on Denali and its immediate vicinity, you will also be able to experience all the striking signature features of the 6 million acres that comprise Denali National Park, including the vivid Polychrome Mountains, the Toklat river basin, and the colorful contrasts of Denali’s vast geological displays as you ascend along the spine of the Alaska Range. Prepare to be humbled by this vast, utterly unique and remote Alaskan landscape that is best seen by air in order to appreciate the sheer magnitude of its beauty.
After landing at our airstrip, you will have the opportunity to take pictures of the plane and with the pilot and discuss the flight before boarding the shuttle van to return to your hotel.
See Availability.
Denali National Park and Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
60 to 70 minutes(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available
Not wheelchair accessible
The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
Denali (Mt. McKinley) is 80 miles away from our airstrip. Weather conditions at the Mountain will often be different from those in our area. Please feel free to call for the current pilot’s reports but know that we do not make decisions based on weather until about an hour before flight time. We will always send a driver to pick-up locations with the most up-to date information at the allotted pick-up times. Exact route and specific sights are weather dependent but due to our airstrip's unique location, we are able to access either side of the Alaska Range when others cannot. We have the highest success rate of showing Denali to our guests of any tour option, anywhere.
Most travelers can participate
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Posted By : DCLeskov
The views were breathtaking, and our pilot, Bob Edison, was amazing. This is a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed! I’m wanted to post here a quick video of a section of our flight where we get such a good view of a glacier you feel like you could reach out and touch it but couldn’t get it to upload! Here are some pics instead!! Thank you Bob for an amazing flight we will never forget!!!
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Posted On : 2024-03-29
Posted By : Steven_F
We had a great pilot who shared what all we were looking at, and got us so close to Denali!
Beautiful day, great memories
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Posted On : 2023-09-27
Posted By : katharineo982
Wonderful experience. Friendly, professional and knowledgeable staff. Made sure everyone got great views Highly recommend!
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Posted On : 2023-09-22
Posted By : betteewac
We thought seeing The Matterhorn in Switzerland could not be topped, this blew us away. It was awe inspiring. The view was amazing of course, our pilot told us to close our eyes just before we were to see the Peak. When he told us to open our eyes we had the most perfect view of the highest point in North America, and we were there. This was our 11 trip to Alaska and our 5th Denali Visit. But by far the most inspiring and amazing trip ever. I will recommend Denali Air to all my Friends and FaceBook Travel Friends. Thank you for the best ending to our visit to Alaska.
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Posted On : 2023-09-21
Posted By : Lori_F
This was fabulous. A bit bumpy, but the pilot warned us of that. We could not see Denali peak but we got as close to the glaciers as you can without walking on them.
Well worth the money, and would do it again in a minute! Pilot was great- 77 years old and has alot of experience!
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Posted On : 2023-09-17
Posted By : B7938UYpeterb
Great trip flying around Denali! We had over an hour of flight time and our pilot Dan gave us great commentary on the history and geography of the park. He tried hard to give us a view of both peaks and his efforts paid off. Loved it!
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Posted On : 2023-09-10
Posted By : Charles_S
The experience ran on time and the staff were all very polite. The flight was amazing with views so close to the peaks and glaciers. The pilot was very informative while flying all around the peaks. A flight to remember.
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Posted On : 2023-09-04
Posted By : 76rogero
Despite the rough ride. Listen fo Jackknife talk about life in the Arctic was worth it he was so knowledgeable and hospitable.
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Posted On : 2023-08-28
Posted By : LaurieR940
We were incredibly wowed! We had wonderful views of Denali and the pilot was skilled and informative. We were so close to the mountain. We felt like we could reach out and touch it!
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Posted On : 2023-08-26
Posted By : KellyBlaeserBonner
This was an absolute highlight of our Alaskan trip. The magnitude and majesty of the mountain is beyond words!!! Our pilot was so awesome and knowledgeable. I felt very safe and he provided up close views and information on all aspects of the mountain and surrounding mountains/glaciers! Highly highly recommended.
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Posted On : 2023-08-22
