Denali National Park, Alaska – Camp Denali, a renowned family-owned lodge nestled at the 89-mile marker in the heart of Denali National Park, is set to reopen its doors on June 2, 2023. Adventure travellers worldwide are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to explore Denali’s breathtaking backcountry, and this year, Camp Denali is introducing exciting new features to enhance the guest experience.
The most notable addition is the introduction of fly-in access, allowing visitors to embark on a mesmerizing flightseeing tour of Denali upon arrival. Guests can admire the park’s majestic glaciers, awe-inspiring mountains, and vast tundra lowlands from a bird’s-eye view. Weather permitting, the flight will include a close-up fly-by of Denali and the glaciers that grace the Alaska Range. This unique perspective offers an unforgettable introduction to the wonders that await within Denali National Park.
In addition to the fly-in access, Camp Denali is proud to announce its highly anticipated 2023 summer speaker series. With a commitment to fostering a deep understanding and appreciation for Denali’s natural and cultural heritage, the lodge has invited a diverse group of specialists to share their expertise. Biologists, ornithologists, conservationists, photographers, and other experts will lead field excursions, guided outings, and evening programs, immersing guests in the sub-arctic ecology, geology, history, indigenous cultures, and the park’s ever-changing landscape. The speaker series promises to provide an enriching and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
At Camp Denali, guests can stay in one of nineteen private, rustically elegant cabins, each offering direct views of Denali and the magnificent peaks of the Alaska Range. As a historic operator recognized by the National Park Service, Camp Denali holds exclusive privileges to travel through the park and lead naturalist-guided hikes. This distinction also allows them to be the only lodge permitted to moor canoes at Wonder Lake, a pristine 2.5-mile-long body of water situated near the base of Denali. By venturing beyond the road’s closure at mile marker 43, guests will savour the rarity of exploring the park without tour buses, relishing the tranquillity and increasing their chances of encountering Denali’s charismatic megafauna, including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves, during walking or driving safaris.
Each day, Camp Denali offers a variety of guided off-trail hikes suitable for different physical abilities. From exhilarating hikes along 2000-ft ridges to leisurely walks through the lowland tundra in search of vibrant wildflowers and captivating birdlife, there are options for everyone. The experienced guides, both backcountry travellers and naturalists, profoundly understand the park’s natural history, enriching each excursion with their extensive knowledge. Guests can also indulge in canoeing, biking, fishing, berry picking, touring the on-site greenhouse, or capturing the intricate beauty of the park’s micro-flora and awe-inspiring landscapes through their lenses. On a rainy day, the on-site natural history resource room provides a quiet sanctuary for learning, housing a remarkable collection of animal pelts, skulls, insect specimens, herbarium samples, maps, and a resource library, along with a dissecting microscope.
Camp Denali is proud to embrace sustainability and has recently become a member of Regenerative Travel, further solidifying its commitment to preserving Denali National Park’s natural splendour. As an off-grid facility located 90 miles from the nearest power grid, Camp Denali has harnessed the power of renewable energy for many years. The lodge’s journey towards sustainability began in 1981 with the development of its first hydroelectric system, followed by the implementation of passive-solar hot water systems. Now equipped with a state-of-the-art 90 Kilowatt photovoltaic system, Camp Denali relies predominantly on solar energy to meet its electrical needs. Additionally, the lodge supports local and in-state organizations dedicated to land conservation, education, environmental stewardship, advocacy, and community. In line with their commitment to sustainability, all the meat and seafood served at Camp Denali is sourced from Alaskan providers. At the same time, the on-site greenhouse and gardens supply a bountiful array of salad greens, cooking greens, sandwich lettuce, herbs, radishes, peas, and edible flowers.
The 2023 summer season at Camp Denali is scheduled to run from June 2 to September 11. Rates start at USD$1,250 per person per night, with a minimum three-night stay. The rate includes accommodations, the Denali National Park entrance fee, all meals, lodging, naturalist-guided hiking, evening programs, and access to canoes, bikes, fishing equipment, and outdoor gear. Travellers can reach Camp Denali by flying into Anchorage International or Fairbanks International Airport, followed by a scenic journey by car, bus, or train to Denali Park. To complete the journey, a private charter from the park entrance to Camp Denali is required for USD$600 per person round trip, including a fascinating 55-minute inbound flightseeing excursion, weather permitting. For reservations and more information, visit Camp Denali’s official website at www.campdenali.com.
Written by: Stephen Morton
