Denali Naturalist Walking Tour
Quick Info and Highlights
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This trail takes place on mostly flat, well-maintained trails. Expect an easy-paced stroll through the woods with frequent stops to talk about what you’re seeing.
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We do not provide specific mileages or elevation gains for our hikes. Each hike is tailored to the group, and your guide will pick the trail and pace based on what they think will best suit you. They are experts in this regard, and strive to give an individually incredible experience to every group that passes through.
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This tour is perfect for families of all ages. Kids will be love the open trails, edible plants and berries, and great views. Parents will be fascinated with the intricacies of Denali’s ecosystems and the storied history of the Park. Grandma and Grandpa will be enamored with the details of the forest, and the gentle pace will make it so they don’t have to worry about having to keep up with the grandkids.
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Denali National Park is a haven for wildlife, and while the Naturalist Walking Tour generally takes place on busier trails, sightings are certainly still possible! In the summer of 2023, our guides saw moose, stoats, ptarmigan, some very special squirrels, and more on this tour.
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This is the most popular tour we offer, and there’s a reason for that! It has something for everyone, and you’ll enjoy it no matter who you are or what your ability level is.
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This is our only walk that takes place entirely on trails that receive frequent maintainence. It can be hard to find trails like that in Alaska!
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We don’t believe in making you rent gear or buy a National Parks pass to have a good time on our hike. That’s why it’s all included on your hike. We have rain jackets for you if it gets a little rainy. We also offer trekking poles to anyone who wants them.
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Warm clothes, water, and closed toed shoes are recommended for this tour.
Tour Description
Lush forests. Exotic wildlife. Abundant wildflowers. These are all staples of Denali’s boreal forest. But why? Denali is a frozen wasteland in the winter. Why is it so spectacular during the summer? That’s one of the many questions we answer on the Naturalist Walking Tour.
“But Trinidad,” I can hear saying. “I’m not a hiker! I like walking, but I can’t climb a mountain!”
Well, my lovely friend, guess what? You don’t have to be an avid hiker to enjoy this tour. You’ll be on well-maintained trails the entire time. The leisurely pace will let you take in the beauty of the National Park as you walk.
Listen to the twittering birds. The chattering squirrels. Stop and smell the delicate wildflowers. Later in the season, enjoy a bounty of delicious berries. Cloudberries, crowberries, lingonberries, nagoonberries, bog bilberries, and more. I’m willing to bet you’ve never heard of many of those. Want to know what they taste like? You should. They’re delicious!
The truth is, I can’t touch on everything that you’ll learn on the Naturalist Walking Tour. You’ll have to book it to find out. What I can promise you is this: Your fellow travelers will be shocked by your Denali knowledge after this tour. Don’t believe me? Just watch their face when you point to a clearing and tell them the depth of the permafrost there.
The benefits of delving deeper in Denali don’t stop there. When you understand something, you appreciate it. Think about your favorite things in life. You understand them pretty well, right? The same goes for your vacation. You’re traveling thousands of miles to see Denali. Don’t let it be the cookie-cutter vacation that leaves so many feeling disappointed.
Chances are, you’ll learn more on this tour than on the rest of your vacation combined. You’re the type of person who wants more than the average tourist experience. You’re here after all! That’s admirable. It’s what we’re here for too. Don’t just see Denali. Experience it. Understand it.
Attention: We already have over 700 people booked this summer. Availabilities are first-come-first-serve. Book now to reserve your spot. Cancellations are refunded 100% until 24 hours before your tour, so there’s no risk for you. If you see the availability you wanted to book yesterday fill up, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
$110 Per Adult
$90 Per Child
Want to make this a Private Trip? Give us a call!
What Other Travelers Say About The Naturalist Walking Tour
“Trinidad gave us the best tour we could ask for. He was so smart and saw things you wouldn’t think to look for. I’m so happy I did this with my friend and I will remember it forever. We even saw fresh bear poop on the trail.”
- Kaela D.
“Our entire family of 5 enjoyed the excursion. Our guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and patient. He answered all questions, and he learned all of our names. This was an easy hike, but we learned so much about the plants—from massive trees to minuscule berries—that we would have normally walked right by.”
- Andre L.
“I went on a beautiful guided tour through a very manageable hike. Trinidad spent extensive time stopping for the group to point out every plant and tree in sight, as well as answering questions. If you want a more intimate experience of Alaska this is the tour for you! Also we saw a moose!
- Davis R.
The Ultimate Confidence Guarantee:
It can be stressful to find the right tour. What if it’s bad? Not what you thought it would be? Most companies would tell you to kick rocks. Not us.
If you don’t like your tour with Northern Epics, just give us a call. Or shoot us an email. Either way, we’ll give you a full refund. AND $100 towards your next tour in Alaska.
Find someone who stands by their tours as well as we do. I’m waiting.