Hiking in Denali National Park
How And Where to Hike in Denali National Park
There are a lot of options for hiking in Denali, and there isn’t a short answer when it comes to how you can do it. With that said, we’ll dig in and give you all the details you need to get hiking!
The first big decision to make when it comes to hiking in Denali is whether you want a guided or unguided hike. Both are great options for the right people — the trick is figuring out which one is right for you!
The Case For Guided Hikes in Denali
Hiking in Denali on your own can be beautiful — but it often means missing the deeper story the landscape is trying to tell.
With a guide, the experience becomes something entirely different. You don’t just walk through the wilderness — you learn how to read it. That odd-angled tree? It’s because of the permafrost. That scar across the mountain? It’s the trace of an ancient glacier. Even the rocks underfoot have traveled hundreds of miles to get here. A guide helps you notice the things you’d never know to look for, and explains the history, geology, and ecology that make Denali so unique.
Guided tours also take the guesswork out of planning. You don’t have to worry about which trail to take, how to stay safe in bear country, or whether you're pushing too hard. You can just focus on the experience — the views, the silence, the wildlife, the questions that come up along the way. It’s still your hike, your pace, your adventure — just with a whole new level of meaning added in. Oh, and you’ll get to try tons of edible plants and berries! It doesn’t get better than that.
For people who really want to understand Denali, not just see it, a guided hike makes all the difference.
The Case For Hiking on Your Own
There’s something deeply rewarding about hiking on your own. No schedule to keep. No one else’s pace to match. Just you, the trail, and the quiet rhythm of your footsteps through the wild.
Solo hiking gives you space — not just physical, but mental. You move how you want, stop when you feel like it, and let your curiosity guide the way. You might take a side path because it looks interesting, or sit in one spot for twenty minutes because you feel like it. The day becomes completely your own.
If you’re confident enough to get off the trail, you’ll find an almost sacred solitude. There are few places left where you can be this disconnected from noise, yet so connected to the land around you. For some, that’s exactly the kind of experience they came to Alaska to find — personal, unstructured, and deeply introspective. I should note that off-trail hiking is not recommended unless you’re a wilderness expert. If you’re not, and you still want to hike off trail, a guided hike is a great option.
It’s not always the easiest or safest route, and it requires preparation and good judgment. But for people who crave independence and are ready to navigate the wild responsibly, hiking alone in Denali can be unforgettable in its own way.
The Case For Doing Both!
Personally, this is my favorite option. If you start with a guided hike, then take a bunch of your own, you get the best of both worlds! You get a different perspective of Denali and learn how to read the land from your guide, then get the independence and solitude of hiking on your own! I really can’t rave enough about how much I recommend that you do both.
This is also the option that most travel advisors I know recommend. The truth is, hiking without understanding the forest (especially in a place as unique as Denali) is like walking through a bookstore without knowing how to read. It’s kinda pretty, but you miss everything past the covers. And only going on a guided tour severely limits what you can see and do!
So do both! Trust me on this one.
How to Hike on Your Own in Denali
Okay, we’ve talked a lot about whether or not to hike on your own in Denali, and the rest of this article will be dedicated to getting you set up for a great time hiking in Denali on your own! We’ll go over various trails, how to hike from the buses further into the National Park, and the dos and don’ts of hiking in Denali.
My Favorite Trails
Savage Alpine Trail
Elevation Gain: 1,414 feet
Distance: 4.1 Miles
Description: This is easily one of the best hikes in Denali National Park. The Savage Aline trail is a pretty strenuous hike. It’s a point-to-point trail, so it doesn’t end at the same place it starts. If you want to hike the entire trail without a shuttle, plan to hike the same distance on the way back.
Starting on the other side of the river from the Savage River Trailhead, the Savage Alpine Trail climbs straight up past several rock formations, affording views across the Denali tundra. On clear days, you can expect incredible views of Mt. Denali and the many striking peaks around it. My only complaint about the Savage Alpine Trail is that it never goes up to the ridge line.
I’m a sucker for a good ridge line hike, so when I was hiking this trail for the first time, I split off from it and went up to the ridge myself. Which believe it or not off trail hiking is permitted and encouraged in Denali National park. The ridge line was as gorgeous as I was expecting. After soaking in the view for an hour or so, I decided to take a different way down. I planned to go off-trail down the other side of the ridge and link up with the Savage River Trail. This ended up being a *bad decision*.
As it turns out, that part of the Savage River Trail is on the other side of the Savage River. I had to wade across a nearly chest-deep freezing river, trying desperately to avoid getting swept downstream into the class IV rapids below. In short, stick to the trail. It’s really pretty even if you never get up to the ridge
2. Savage River Trail
Distance: 1.7 Miles
Elevation Gain: Negligible
Description: Savage River is where all passenger traffic stops in Denali National Park, and where Savage River Trail begins. That means you are able to access this trail in your personal vehicle! The trail is super mellow with minimal hills or loose ground. The trail follows beautiful Savage River with lots of amazing photo opportunities and a few bridges to help you cross the river.
3. Rock Creek Trail
Distance: 4.5 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 400 ft.
Description: Rock Creek trail is my favorite easy hike in the Denali Area. The trailhead is less than 100 yards away from the visitor center parking lot so you are able to drive your personal vehicle to the trail head here as well! If you have concerns about bears this a great place to hike. With Rock Creek Trail’s close proximity to the visitors center and lots of human activity the bears tend to stay far away from this location.
The hike its self is a nice loop with only a few gentle inclines. The trail tends to be less steep than most other trails in the area, which leads to some great views with a little less work.
4. Antler Ridge Trail
Distance: 7.6 Miles to the top of Mount Healy
Elevation Gain: 3,566 feet
Description: Antler Creek Trail is a great trail for those who are a little more adventurous and not afraid of a steep push. This is the hike I recommend for anyone who wants to get into the mountains but isn’t able to get far enough into the park to access savage alpine trail. The parking lot for this trail is located about half way between Glitter Gulch and Healy. When you get to the trail go about 300 yards and you will find a dirt road.
Turn left on the road and keep going. The road becomes a single file trail that steeply heads up a ridge to Mount Healy. On the trail you will walk along some steep cliffs and sharp drops so watch your step. I would definitely recommend taking a set of trekking poles on this hike, as they will make it a bit easier. Another precaution is to remember where you took the left turn onto the road it can be easy to miss on the walk back to the parking lot.
Other Trails
There are lots of other good trails in the Denali area, but I won’t go through all of them here. If you’d like a full rundown for hiking in Denali, you can download our Epic Guide to Denali and look through the “Free Activities” section.
Hiking Deeper Inside the Park
While all the trails I’ve mentioned are great, none of them start past Mile 15 of the Denali Park Road. In order to travel past Mile 15, you’ll need to get on the East Fork Transit Bus. Hiking in this area of the Park is more of a challenge than hiking in the frontcountry. Trails don’t really exist past Mile 15, so any hiking you do will be without one (at least not a maintained trail). With that said, I’ll give you a brief overview of some of your options. For any hikes inside the National Park, make sure you bring bear spray and know how to use it!
Primrose Ridge (Mile 17-20)
Overview:
Primrose Ridge is one of the most popular and accessible off-trail hiking areas in Denali’s frontcountry wilderness. It's located just beyond the Savage River area and is designated as Unit 26 by the National Park Service.
Access:
Take the park shuttle to Mile 17–20 and get off near the Savage River or East Fork area.
Most hikers access the ridge from a pullout or the Savage River Loop area.
Terrain & Difficulty:
The hike begins in brushy terrain but quickly opens up to alpine tundra.
Moderate to strenuous depending on how far and how high you go.
Expect an elevation gain of roughly 1,000–1,500 feet to the main ridge.
Once on the ridge, hikers are treated to sweeping views of the Alaska Range and, on clear days, Denali itself.
Unique Features:
Expansive views and a good chance of spotting wildlife like Dall sheep, marmots, and ptarmigan.
Considerations:
Water is limited at higher elevations, so bring what you need.
The weather can change rapidly and winds can be strong on exposed ridges.
Teklanika River (Mile 30.2)
Overview:
This area is best known for its wide, braided riverbeds and easy-to-moderate off-trail hiking opportunities. It's ideal for hikers who want a less strenuous but immersive wilderness experience.
Access:
Get off the shuttle near Teklanika River Campground.
From there, it’s a short walk to the riverbed, which serves as a natural trail.
Terrain & Difficulty:
Flat to rolling terrain.
Mixed river gravel, tundra patches, and brushy banks depending on how far you venture from the river.
Easy to navigate and great for newer off-trail hikers.
Make sure to bring your bear spray!
Unique Features:
Stunning views of nearby mountains.
Frequent sightings of moose and caribou.
The riverbed itself is ever-changing, making every hike unique.
Considerations:
Stream crossings may be necessary — waterproof footwear or river shoes recommended.
Be mindful of river levels and avoid hiking during or after heavy rain.
Igloo Mountain Area (Mile 35ish)
Overview:
Located near the Igloo Creek Campground, this area offers excellent ridge hiking, wildlife spotting, and solitude.
Access:
Shuttle drop-off near Mile 35.
There’s no formal trail, but hikers typically head west from the road and gradually ascend Igloo Mountain or nearby hills.
Terrain & Difficulty:
Starts in brush but quickly transitions to open tundra slopes.
Moderate difficulty with gradual elevation gain.
Navigating alder patches and scree slopes can be tricky in places.
Unique Features:
High chance of spotting grizzly bears in late summer.
Quiet area that’s often overlooked by day-trippers.
Wildflowers in early season.
Considerations:
Navigation skills are a must — there are no markers or trails.
Best for intermediate hikers looking for a quieter backcountry experience.
Final Notes
While off-trail hiking is great fun and is one of Denali’s unique opportunities, it’s not for everyone. It is significantly more dangerous than hiking on a trail and requires both mental and physical skills. If you haven’t done much off-trail hiking before, proceed with caution. I recommend sticking to easier-to-navigate options like the Teklanika Riverbed and always bringing a GPS/SOS device just in case. Bear spray is also a must for all of these trails. I’m not trying to scare you, I just don’t want you to get hurt.
And if this all sounds like a little much, we’d be happy to take you on a tour so you don’t have to worry about any of it!