Denali Backcountry Lodge

Denali Backcountry Lodge is open from June 4 through September 12 yearly.

As the name implies, Denali Backcountry Lodge is situated deep within Denali's rugged backcountry. Located at the end of 92 Mile Park Road in Kantishna, offering you a complete Denali Park vacation experience -- as well as surprising comfort.

Most park visitors limit their visit and stay near the developed and crowded Denali park entrance. The more adventurous take one of the grandest drives on earth and stay inside the park. Winding through the Alaska Range, deep into the heart of the Denali park, the "Park Road" offers opportunities to see Denali's famed wildlife: Grizzlies, Caribou, Moose, Dall Sheep, Wolves, and Eagles. And, should the weather smile upon you, above all of it towers Mt. McKinley (Denali) itself, the highest point in North America (20,320 feet).

At the very end of the Denali Park road, past Wonder Lake, you'll find a unique enclave in the park known as Kantishna. This area is home to Denali Backcountry Lodge.

Denali Backcountry Lodge offers 42 comfortably appointed cedar cabins. Each cabin is heated and enjoys its own private bath. Unexpected luxuries for such a remote location. Dining and lounge areas are found in our spacious two-story lodge.

Denali Backcountry Lodge also includes a program lodge hosts special natural history presentations by our staff and many featured guest speakers. Two outdoor gazebos near Moose Creek are great places to relax, and a suspended foot bridge spanning the creek offers access to many hiking trails.

Dining at the Lodge

When it comes to meals, you'll be treated with great food prepared by the Denali Backcountry Lodge chefs and hospitality staff.

Hot breakfast is served buffet style. For lunch, a hot soup and sandwich buffet is served in the lodge, but most guests pack up a lunch for their day's explorations.

At the end of the day, everyone is invited to join Denali Backcountry Lodge naturalist guides for gourmet appetizers and a recap of the day.

Evening dinners are served family style in the lodge. All of the food is fresh, hearty, and wholesome.

Beverage Service
Juices and sodas are available from the lounge cooler. Our informal bar service features draft and bottled beer, wine, and cordials.

Cabins
Traditional cabins are the original rustic rooms that include all the comforts of a cozy Alaska Cabin. Each cabin is heated as has it's own bathroom and shower.

Superior cabins are larger then the traditional cabins with added options such as king size bed or 2 extra long double. Each cabin is heated as has it's own bathroom and shower.

Deluxe cabins offer views facing Moose Creek with a deck. Your choice of king size bed or 2 extra long doubles. Each of the deluxe cabins include a full bathroom and are also heated.

Refunds
Requests for refunds should be directed in writing to the agency that sold you the program. No refunds will be made on individual features voluntarily omitted by the guest. No refunds for unused services will be issued.

Baggage
To Ensure an enjoyable trip, we suggest traveling light and soft luggage. Although there is no limit for Denali Cabins, we do enforce a luggage limit for Denali Backcountry Lodge of one small bag
(35lbs max) and one carry on per person. Storage for Lodge guest with excess luggage is available at Denali Cabins. For other facilities, tours or activities please check with our reservations representative.

Arrival and Departure Information
Denali Backcountry Lodge packages depart from and return to the Train Depot at the Denali National Park entrance.

Guests meet at the depot at 1:00 p.m. and our private bus departs at 1:30 p.m. At the end of your stay, you will return to the depot at approximately 11:30 a.m. This schedule allows for southbound travel from Fairbanks by train on the day of arrival to the lodge, and for travel by train to Anchorage on the day of departure from the lodge.

Other transportation options include shuttle van, sightseeing bus, self drive, rental car, and chartered bush airplane. Guests traveling to the Park entrance will need to allow ample time for construction delays, slow traffic, and vehicle parking. Guests traveling northbound from Anchorage by train will require a stay at the Park entrance the night before going to the lodge.

If you are short on time, or if you missed the opportunity to take our afternoon narrated bus trip into the deepest part of Denali, you can still enjoy your stay at Denali Backcountry Lodge by taking a flight with Kantishna Air Taxi. Kantishna Air Taxi is the only company granted the opportunity to operate out of their base in Kantishna. Important thing to note here, if you are flying in, is to make sure you arrange your flight to land in Kantishna after 6 PM. Similarly, if you are interested in taking the flight out on the day of your check out, you have to make sure that you arrange for the flight to leave no later than 9 AM. These fly in and fly out time restrictions are strictly enforced for ease of operation so we can better serve our guests.

Communication
We use satellite internet for all our communication need, using internet to send email or instant messaging. Faster cable or DSL internet and cellular phone services are unavailable due to our remote location.

Family Travel
Denali Backcountry Lodge packages provide excellent opportunities for active parents to experience virtually every moment of their Denali vacation with their older children. Please note there are no childcare services or special programs for younger children at the lodge.

Disclaimer of Liability
Denali Backcountry Lodge reserves the right to make changes and alterations as may be found necessary for safety and proper handling of tours. We spare no effort to assure a safe trip; however, outdoor activities of this nature are not entirely "risk free." We cannot assume responsibility for injury to participants or personal belongings or for time or expense incurred. You will be required to fill out an acknowledgment of risk form. Upon advancement of deposit to Denali Backcountry Lodge, the depositor agrees to be bound by all of the above stated terms and conditions. Denali Backcountry Lodge is not responsible for cost of delays resulting from weather, road construction, or acts of God.