Alaska
The Best of Alaska’s National Parks: From Denali to Kenai
Program No. 1012RJ
Come explore the national parks of Alaska with our experts. Discover unique wildlife, stunning landscapes and ancient forests as you explore one of the most unspoiled regions on earth.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Fairbanks, AK
Program Concludes
Anchorage, AK
Meals
28 (
10B, 9L, 9D
)
Activity Level
In the Alaskan Interior, grizzlies walk lowland rivers, caribou roam the tundra, Dall sheep cling to mountainsides and the golden eagle survey it all. To the south, the glaciers of the Kenai Peninsula carve the landscape as they have for eons. Join expert field educators in the boreal forest, on the tundra of Denali and along the bays of Kenai Fjords National Park.
Best of all, you'll...
- Watch for grizzly bears, Dall sheep, moose and caribou on a journey into Denali National Park.
- Stretch your legs and minds on hikes that cross alpine tundra, through boreal forest and past mountain lakes.
- Explore Kenai Fjords National Park on a daylong journey by boat to view marine mammals, tidewater and alpine glaciers and teeming seabird rookeries.
Natalie Reimer
Natalie Reimer is from Enterprise, Oregon, and grew up backpacking, hiking, and fishing in the nearby Wallowa Mountains. She has lived and worked in Denali seasonally since 2019 and began leading educational hikes in the area in 2022. Natalie strongly believes that being engaged with and informed about your local ecosystem and community contributes to a deep feeling of connection, responsibility, and belonging. In her free time, Natalie likes to forage, paint, and go exploring with her dog.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Nate Porter
Nate Porter was born on a homestead in Trapper Creek, Alaska. He worked as a Park Ranger in Denali National Park and Preserve for 11 years before transferring to Federation Forest State Park in Washington. Since 2008, Nate has worked as a teacher in Arizona. He has a degree in history and political science and a master’s degree in education and educational leadership. In 2006, Nate began working seasonally with Denali Education Center as a youth camp instructor and Group Leader.
Julie Noel
Julie Noel has been enriched by outdoor adventures since a young age. She received a B.S. in special education from Indiana University and spent her career making outdoor adventures accessible for her students. Julie’s home away from home has been in the Denali National Park area since 2014, visiting family and working as a group leader for the Denali Education Center. When not leading groups through the wonderland of Alaska, she enjoys whitewater rafting, biking, hiking, knitting and reading, sometimes at the same time.
Katie Miller
Katie Miller is a hospitality specialist with over two decades' experience in the travel and restaurant industry. Her love of travel brought her to Alaska in 2010 where she worked on the Wilderness Express, providing education and guest service for travelers on the Alaska Railroad. Katie’s career focus is on the growth and connection of the guest experience through travel and community. In her free time, Katie enjoys tending to her native plant garden and cooking for family and friends.
Sarah Marshall
Sarah Marshall received a bachelor’s degree in geology from Oberlin College and a master’s degree in water resources from the University of Wyoming. She has worked in National Parks in Utah and Alaska as a naturalist, an archeologist, and as a water scientist. For 14 years she lived with her husband and sons just outside of Denali National Park and Preserve. Currently living in rural Colorado and Alaska, she loves exploring the outdoors and wild places by foot, bicycle, and cross-country skis.
Megan McDermott
Megan McDermott has lived and worked in Alaska since 2021. She arrived in Alaska six days after graduating college, with a degree in GIS and environmental sciences. Originally, she moved up for a summer seasonal job at an ATV adventure company. She then went on to work for the Forest Service as a wilderness ranger before coming to Denali Education Center. She has a passion for the Alaskan landscape, geography, and biodiversity.
Chelsie Valetta
Chelsie Valetta—born in Buffalo, NY—first visited Alaska in 2012. After a seasonal job in 2017, she made the move permanent, settling in Talkeetna in 2018 with her partner and two spirited huskies. She worked four years at Denali’s South District Ranger Station before joining the Denali Education Center in 2025. Outside of work and directing the Oosik Classic ski race, she enjoys birding with her partner, reading in the sun, identifying plants, and exploring trails with her adventurous pups.
Liz Hahn
Liz Hahn is originally from Wisconsin, and has lived and worked in some of the most beautiful places in the world, including five different National Parks, a dozen U.S. states, and two other countries but considers Alaska her favorite home. She believes in keeping knowledge and education accessible for all and lifelong learning is her deepest joy. When not collecting passport stamps or hiking hundreds of miles, Liz enjoys foraging, painting, and—above all—reading.
Katie Pankow
Katie Pankow has been enthusiastically showing off the state of Alaska to Road Scholars with the Denali Education Center since 2019. She’s an Alaskan resident who splits her time between Talkeetna and Denali. She holds an M.F.A. in acting from the University of Florida and a B.A. in English from Florida Gulf Coast University. When she’s not running learning vacations, Katie teaches theatre to local kids, goes for long hikes, cooks ambitious recipes, and reads lots of books.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
This program is "Keep the Pace." Your mobility must match this description. Reach out to Road Scholar or DEC with questions. Activities include city walking, hiking on maintained trails with varied terrain, wet/dry conditions, and even ice/snow. You must move about on a catamaran in open water and get on/off a motorcoach. Distance will not exceed 4 mi during scheduled activities. Trails are up to 3 mi in length with elevation changes up to 600 ft. The pace of the hikes is up to 2 mi per hour.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(12 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.