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BEGINS IN: DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA

To the Heart of Denali: An Unrivaled Kantishna Experience

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 AK

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 National Parks

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Road Scholar
Program #4189RJ

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9 Days | 8 Nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderately Challenging
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While all of our learning adventures offer extraordinary value, our "Best Value" programs were rated by our participants themselves who thought their dollar went particularly far.
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Love to learn in a small-group setting? This collection of programs has at most 10-24 participants.
See our Small Group programs.
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EasyFor people looking to exercise their minds more than their bodies. There’s minimal walking and not too many stairs.
ModerateThese programs get you on your feet and include activities such as walking up to a mile in a day through a city and standing in a museum for a few hours.
ActiveFor people who enjoy walking as much as two miles a day, perhaps to explore historic neighborhoods or a nature trail.
Moderately ChallengingFor hardy explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge, spending most of their days on the go.
ChallengingGet ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding — and rewarding — programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Program Details > Daily Schedule

Elevation Note
Participants will travel to 3900 feet during the trip into Denali National Park.

 Equipment Requirements
Waterproof footwear with ankle support and proper rain gear are both highly recommended.

Itinerary for Aug 18 — Aug 26, 2013

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Type: Cabin

 Description: The Denali Education Center campus was built in 1990 along the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on the banks of the Nenana River. This quiet wooded campus, consisting of 12 cabins and Riverside Hall, was the first in the U.S. built exclusively for Road Scholar programs. All facilities are on the ground floor with four steps leading into each cabin. The longest walk from your cabin to Riverside Hall is about 200 yards on a gravel walkway, and the shortest is about 15 yards.

Contact info:
Milepost 231 George Parks Highway
Denali Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2597
web: www.denali.org

Room amenities: Our location is idyllic, rooms and services are simple. Each cabin at the Denali Education Center has one bathroom that may be shared by up to four people. There is no housekeeping during the week, though fresh towels are available mid-week. Rooms do not have clocks, radios, TV’s, microwaves, or hair dryers. All rooms are non-smoking. There are no phones in the rooms, though cell phone reception is fine. Emergency calls may be received in the office, as needed. An answering machine will receive calls after hours or when staff is in the field.

Facility amenities: Laundry facilities are available for $2 per wash and $2 per dry, laundry detergent included. Internet access is available nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: Each cabin has two rooms with one shared bath.

Additional nights before: $117/room/night plus tax
Please call (907) 683-2597 or contact roadscholarprograms@denali.org to reserve a room for additional nights.

Check in time: 12:00 PM

Day One: Sunday, August 18 - Independent arrivals and introductions 
Arrive To: Independent arrivals, noon to 5pm.

Afternoon: Orientation

Dinner: Riverside Hall

Evening: Introductions

Lodging: Denali Education Center

Meals Included: Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Cabin

 Description: The Denali Education Center campus was built in 1990 along the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on the banks of the Nenana River. This quiet wooded campus, consisting of 12 cabins and Riverside Hall, was the first in the U.S. built exclusively for Road Scholar programs. All facilities are on the ground floor with four steps leading into each cabin. The longest walk from your cabin to Riverside Hall is about 200 yards on a gravel walkway, and the shortest is about 15 yards.

Contact info:
Milepost 231 George Parks Highway
Denali Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2597
web: www.denali.org

Room amenities: Our location is idyllic, rooms and services are simple. Each cabin at the Denali Education Center has one bathroom that may be shared by up to four people. There is no housekeeping during the week, though fresh towels are available mid-week. Rooms do not have clocks, radios, TV’s, microwaves, or hair dryers. All rooms are non-smoking. There are no phones in the rooms, though cell phone reception is fine. Emergency calls may be received in the office, as needed. An answering machine will receive calls after hours or when staff is in the field.

Facility amenities: Laundry facilities are available for $2 per wash and $2 per dry, laundry detergent included. Internet access is available nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: Each cabin has two rooms with one shared bath.

Additional nights before: $117/room/night plus tax
Please call (907) 683-2597 or contact roadscholarprograms@denali.org to reserve a room for additional nights.

Check in time: 12:00 PM

Day Two: Monday, August 19 - Savage River Tundra Hike 
Breakfast: Riverside Hall

Morning: Leisurely guided hike in the subarctic tundra along Savage River in Denali National Park. Wildflowers and bird life abound. Dall sheep and grizzlies are sometimes seen from this trail. Independent cross-country hiking is an option in this area. 2 miles with 100 ft. elevation change.

Lunch: In the field

Afternoon: Meet the four-legged heroes of Denali and watch a mushing demonstration at the only park in the US National Park Service system that has a kennel of working sled dogs.

Dinner: Riverside Hall

Evening: Guest speaker TBA. Schedule for expert local evening presenters in Denali will be announced on first day of program.

Lodging: Denali Education Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Cabin

 Description: The Denali Education Center campus was built in 1990 along the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on the banks of the Nenana River. This quiet wooded campus, consisting of 12 cabins and Riverside Hall, was the first in the U.S. built exclusively for Road Scholar programs. All facilities are on the ground floor with four steps leading into each cabin. The longest walk from your cabin to Riverside Hall is about 200 yards on a gravel walkway, and the shortest is about 15 yards.

Contact info:
Milepost 231 George Parks Highway
Denali Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2597
web: www.denali.org

Room amenities: Our location is idyllic, rooms and services are simple. Each cabin at the Denali Education Center has one bathroom that may be shared by up to four people. There is no housekeeping during the week, though fresh towels are available mid-week. Rooms do not have clocks, radios, TV’s, microwaves, or hair dryers. All rooms are non-smoking. There are no phones in the rooms, though cell phone reception is fine. Emergency calls may be received in the office, as needed. An answering machine will receive calls after hours or when staff is in the field.

Facility amenities: Laundry facilities are available for $2 per wash and $2 per dry, laundry detergent included. Internet access is available nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: Each cabin has two rooms with one shared bath.

Additional nights before: $117/room/night plus tax
Please call (907) 683-2597 or contact roadscholarprograms@denali.org to reserve a room for additional nights.

Check in time: 12:00 PM

Day Three: Tuesday, August 20 - Welcome to the Subarctic 
Breakfast: Riverside Hall

Morning: Learn about the sometimes surprising, always extreme, conditions that shape life in Denali and define a subarctic ecosystem in “Welcome to the Subarctic.”

Lunch: Riverside Hall

Afternoon: Explore the rich habitat of Horseshoe Lake. Join an expert naturalist for a 1.5 mile round-trip walk with 250 feet elevation change.

Dinner: Riverside Hall

Evening: Guest speaker TBA.

Lodging: Denali Education Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Cabin

 Description: The Denali Education Center campus was built in 1990 along the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on the banks of the Nenana River. This quiet wooded campus, consisting of 12 cabins and Riverside Hall, was the first in the U.S. built exclusively for Road Scholar programs. All facilities are on the ground floor with four steps leading into each cabin. The longest walk from your cabin to Riverside Hall is about 200 yards on a gravel walkway, and the shortest is about 15 yards.

Contact info:
Milepost 231 George Parks Highway
Denali Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2597
web: www.denali.org

Room amenities: Our location is idyllic, rooms and services are simple. Each cabin at the Denali Education Center has one bathroom that may be shared by up to four people. There is no housekeeping during the week, though fresh towels are available mid-week. Rooms do not have clocks, radios, TV’s, microwaves, or hair dryers. All rooms are non-smoking. There are no phones in the rooms, though cell phone reception is fine. Emergency calls may be received in the office, as needed. An answering machine will receive calls after hours or when staff is in the field.

Facility amenities: Laundry facilities are available for $2 per wash and $2 per dry, laundry detergent included. Internet access is available nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: Each cabin has two rooms with one shared bath.

Additional nights before: $117/room/night plus tax
Please call (907) 683-2597 or contact roadscholarprograms@denali.org to reserve a room for additional nights.

Check in time: 12:00 PM

Day Four: Wednesday, August 21 - Triple Lakes Hike 
Breakfast: Riverside Hall

Morning: Soak in the many marvels of a forest carpeted in deep moss and berries on guided hike along the Triple Lakes trail. Up to 4 miles and 900 ft. elevation gain on a maintained trail.

Lunch: Riverside Hall

Afternoon: Free time to rest and relax, explore the park independently, or pursue optional activities like rafting, flightseeing or visiting the kennels of an Iditarod champion.

Dinner: Riverside Hall

Evening: Guest speaker TBA.

Lodging: Denali Education Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Cabin

 Description: The Denali Education Center campus was built in 1990 along the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on the banks of the Nenana River. This quiet wooded campus, consisting of 12 cabins and Riverside Hall, was the first in the U.S. built exclusively for Road Scholar programs. All facilities are on the ground floor with four steps leading into each cabin. The longest walk from your cabin to Riverside Hall is about 200 yards on a gravel walkway, and the shortest is about 15 yards.

Contact info:
Milepost 231 George Parks Highway
Denali Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2597
web: www.denali.org

Room amenities: Our location is idyllic, rooms and services are simple. Each cabin at the Denali Education Center has one bathroom that may be shared by up to four people. There is no housekeeping during the week, though fresh towels are available mid-week. Rooms do not have clocks, radios, TV’s, microwaves, or hair dryers. All rooms are non-smoking. There are no phones in the rooms, though cell phone reception is fine. Emergency calls may be received in the office, as needed. An answering machine will receive calls after hours or when staff is in the field.

Facility amenities: Laundry facilities are available for $2 per wash and $2 per dry, laundry detergent included. Internet access is available nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: Each cabin has two rooms with one shared bath.

Additional nights before: $117/room/night plus tax
Please call (907) 683-2597 or contact roadscholarprograms@denali.org to reserve a room for additional nights.

Check in time: 12:00 PM

Day Five: Thursday, August 22 - Wildlife of Denali 
Breakfast: Riverside Hall

Morning: Discover the animals that call Denali home and learn about their superb adaptations to life at high latitudes in “Wildlife of Denali.”

Lunch: Riverside Hall

Afternoon: Explore the the world's largest biome, the northern boreal forest, on an optional guided walk along the Roadside or Rock Creek trail. Up to 3 miles and 400 ft elevation change.

Dinner: Riverside Hall

Evening: Free time

Lodging: Denali Education Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Lodge

 Description: Family owned and operated for more than 30 years, North Face Lodge lies in the heart of Denali National Park, just twenty-nine air miles from Mt. McKinley. At their North Face Lodge fifteen small, well-appointed guestrooms, each with a private bath, connect to a covered walkway that leads to the inn's comfortably furnished living room and dining room. On cool mornings, a crackling fire in the stone fireplace compliments fine Denali views from the living room's tall windows. On warm, sunny afternoons, a spacious patio invites relaxation in view of Denali's summit.

Contact info:
PO Box 67
Denali National Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2290
web: www.campdenali.com/

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Six: Friday, August 23 - Journey to the Heart of the Park 
Breakfast: Riverside Hall

Morning: Walk through the spruce forest that is reclaiming the ruins of a frontier railroad building community on the McKinley Station Trail. This is an optional walk that travels 1.6 miles with 50 ft of elevation gain.

Lunch: En route

Afternoon: Travel the entire 90 mile park road with an expert naturalist-driver from Camp Denali & North Face Lodge. Enjoy stunning scenery and wildlife watching opportunities on this journey to the heart of the park.

Dinner: Savor a picnic dinner en route.

Evening: Orientation to North Face Lodge.

Lodging: North Face Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Lodge

 Description: Family owned and operated for more than 30 years, North Face Lodge lies in the heart of Denali National Park, just twenty-nine air miles from Mt. McKinley. At their North Face Lodge fifteen small, well-appointed guestrooms, each with a private bath, connect to a covered walkway that leads to the inn's comfortably furnished living room and dining room. On cool mornings, a crackling fire in the stone fireplace compliments fine Denali views from the living room's tall windows. On warm, sunny afternoons, a spacious patio invites relaxation in view of Denali's summit.

Contact info:
PO Box 67
Denali National Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2290
web: www.campdenali.com/

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Seven: Saturday, August 24 - Cross-country Hike 
Note: Day-long guided cross-country walks are offered on both Day 7 and Day 8 at North Face Lodge. On each day you will have a choice of an easy, moderate, or strenuous hike. Hikes return to the Lodge sometime between 3-5pm. You may explore the Park independently after you return from the hike... or even opt out of either or both hikes if you like.

Breakfast: Enjoy your first meal at the North Face Lodge with a breakfast including hot and cold cereals and a featured entree, such as spring vegetable quiche with citrus scones.

Morning: Take off on a day-long naturalist-guided cross-country hike through the heart of Denali's wilderness.

Lunch: In the field

Afternoon: If you'd like to explore independently, set out for Wonder Lake by bike or on foot. Enjoy the water from a canoe or look for Mt McKinley and its reflection from the shore.

Dinner: Enjoy the world class hospitality at North Face Lodge. A meat or fish entree and a vegetarian option are available at each meal.

Evening: Join lodge staff for an evening program or set out on your own to discover the wilderness spirit of Denali on a flightseeing journey or a quiet evening walk.

Lodging: North Face Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Lodge

 Description: Family owned and operated for more than 30 years, North Face Lodge lies in the heart of Denali National Park, just twenty-nine air miles from Mt. McKinley. At their North Face Lodge fifteen small, well-appointed guestrooms, each with a private bath, connect to a covered walkway that leads to the inn's comfortably furnished living room and dining room. On cool mornings, a crackling fire in the stone fireplace compliments fine Denali views from the living room's tall windows. On warm, sunny afternoons, a spacious patio invites relaxation in view of Denali's summit.

Contact info:
PO Box 67
Denali National Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2290
web: www.campdenali.com/

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Eight: Sunday, August 25 - Hike, bike, fish, or fly... the sky's the limit! 
Breakfast: Another delicious meal at North Face Lodge.

Morning: Join an expert naturalist for a day-long hike. Stop for bird watching, berry picking, and wildlife sightings.

Lunch: In the field

Afternoon: Optional activities for the duration of your stay at North Face Lodge include: fishing in Moose Creek or Wonder Lake (for Arctic Grayling or Mackinaw Trout respectively), bicycling the Park Road, canoeing Wonder Lake, or reserving a flight seeing tour to Mt. McKinley.

Dinner: Enjoy a feast by the chef who dishes up memorable entrees such as herb-crusted halibut with lobster bourbon reduction.

Lodging: North Face Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Nine: Monday, August 26 - Arrive at Denali Rail Depot by 11:30am. Independent departures. 
Arrive To: Arrive at Denali Railroad Depot. Independent departures.

Breakfast: Enjoy an early morning breakfast before departing North Face Lodge.

In Transit: Travel the entire 90 mile park road with an expert naturalist-driver from Camp Denali & North Face Lodge. Enjoy stunning scenery and wildlife watching opportunities on this journey from the heart of the park back to the Denali Railroad Depot.

Meals Included: Breakfast
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Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date.
Currently selected:Prices Starting At:
Aug 18 — Aug 26, 2013 waitlist only  

Our Value Promise To You

You won't find a better value.

Included
at no additional cost on this date ...
•8 nights of accommodations
•23 meals: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
•5 Expert-led lectures
•12 Field trips
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Ratings

4.9
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