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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.
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National ParksRegional StudiesOn the RoadMost PopularNature & Environment
Length
11 days
Rating (4.89)
Activity Level
Starts at
6,999

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
11 days
10 nights
What's Included
28 meals ( 10B, 9L, 9D )
8 expert-led lectures
11 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 2:00-4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the main lobby to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 4:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from the Group Leader as well as local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 125 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Light walking up to 2 miles; mostly paved, some compact gravel trails and dirt paths, 1-4 steps possible, minimal elevation change. Opportunities for more walking dependent on personal preference.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board a motorcoach and head to Calypso Farm & Ecology Center. Calypso Farm is a nonprofit, educational farm outside of Fairbanks offering hands-on programs for all ages that is committed to making fresh food available for the Fairbanks community. We will learn about farming in a subarctic climate as we explore the farm nestled on a hillside in the boreal forest. There will be opportunities to visit with farm animals, taste seasonal Alaska-grown produce, and see blacksmith, woodworking, and fiber arts operations.
Lunch:
We’ll have a boxed lunch at Calypso Farm & Ecology Center.
Afternoon:
We’ll travel south along the George Parks Highway to Denali National Park. Keep watch for moose and other wildlife! Weather permitting, we’ll see sweeping vistas of the Tanana Valley and the Alaska Range, and on clear days, the peaks of Denali. As we near the National Park, we’ll see some dramatic views of the Nenana River as it twists and turns along the base of Mt. Healy. Upon arriving in the Park, we’ll visit the “front country” area, which includes the Denali Visitor Center, the Morino Grill restaurant, the Alaska Geographic bookstore, and numerous hiking and walking trails. We’ll have time for independent exploration, during which the Group Leader will be available to offer recommendations or answer questions. The Denali Visitor Center features an impressive exhibit hall and regular showings of “Heartbeats of Denali,” a 20-minute non-narrated film that shares visuals of the various seasons, landscapes, and wildlife of this beautiful place. Afterwards, we’ll head to the Denali Education Center (DEC), our home for the next five nights. DEC’s tranquil, wooded 10-acre campus is located seven miles south of the Denali Park Entrance along the banks of the Nenana River.
Dinner:
At Denali Education Center's Riverside Hall.
Evening:
After dinner, we’ll have a short orientation to DEC, its amenities, and campus. Afterwards, you are free to relax in your cabin or explore at your leisure. Riverside Hall is available for your use 24 hours a day. Grab a book from the library, enjoy a hot beverage on the deck, or play a game with friends!
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving 30 miles total, under 1.5 hours riding time. Hiking 2 miles on a maintained trail, approximately 3 hours total; uneven ground, rock steps, some rugged areas, no significant elevation change. Potential for rain and muddy areas, please dress accordingly.
Breakfast:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Morning:
Boarding a bus, we’ll travel into Denali National Park where we will get to know the landscape and history of the Park with our field educators. Be sure to bring your camera on this wilderness walk along Tr'at'egeth No' (the Lower Tanana name for what is commonly called the Savage River), a great area to spot caribou, Dall sheep, marmot, ground squirrels, and ptarmigan. Weather permitting, we will have opportunities to see Denali during our time in the Park.
Lunch:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Afternoon:
In a classroom session on campus, one of our expert field educators will teach about the sometimes surprising, always extreme conditions that shape life in Denali and define a subarctic ecosystem. In this interactive session, we’ll learn how the complex geology of interior Alaska is connected to annual precipitation, why geographical location determines the adaptations of plants, and how the Native peoples survived for generations in one of the most formidable climates on Earth. Did you know that Denali is home to 39 species of mammals and 169 species of birds? After a short break, we’ll join a field educator in another classroom session to discuss the extraordinary adaptations that allow local wildlife to survive in Alaska’s extreme subarctic climate. During this educational program, we will examine fur pelts, skulls, and hooves from regional species as we learn about how they survive in the North.
Dinner:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Evening:
Evening presentation topics and locations will vary depending on local speaker availability. Presentation topics range from predator-prey relationships to climbing Denali. The schedule for evening presenters at the Denali Education Center will be announced on the first day of the program.
Activity Note
Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice. Getting on/off a bus; driving 20 miles one way, under 1 hour total riding time. Walking 3 miles on a maintained trail, approximately 4 hours; shorter steep sections, roots, rocks, and mud possible. Approximately 400 feet elevation change total. Potential for rain, please dress accordingly.
Breakfast:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Morning:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. Denali Education Center led activities will begin promptly at 9 AM, activities with local operators have varied start times. We’ll set off on an excursion provided by a local operator, like rafting, flightseeing or flyfishing. Or spend the morning exploring the boreal forest on a front country trail with one of Denali Education Center’s expert field educators.
Lunch:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll set out to explore the world’s largest biome, the northern boreal forest, on an educator-led walk on one of Denali's maintained trails. We'll take a bus to the trail head. Denali's forested trails are occasionally steep with 400 feet elevation change possible. This hike provide beautiful views and an intimate look into the serenity and severity of Alaska’s boreal forest.
Dinner:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Evening:
We'll gather together for a presentation that examines indigenous history in Alaska through the lens of land and legislation.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 100 miles into Denali National Park, approximately 5 hours total riding time with stops to view wildlife and rest stops every 1-1.5 hours. The Park Road is mostly unpaved, bumpy ride possible. Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day; opportunities for more walking dependent on personal preference. Bring a camera and binoculars, if you have them.
Breakfast:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Morning:
After breakfast, we’ll have a brief classroom session with a field educator to discuss the Pretty Rocks Landslide that has affected Park operations since 2021. We’ll discuss why this isn’t an isolated phenomenon in the Park, and talk about current remediation efforts for the landslide. Afterwards, we’ll take a bus to Denali National Park for a short hike exploring its storied past. We will see historic building remains and learn about the beginnings of the Park and the now-vanished boomtown of McKinley Station from one of our field educators. Afterwards, we’ll board a park bus and travel deep into Denali National Park on a journey into the wilderness. Along the way, we’ll enjoy commentary about the park from our bus driver and on-board educator while we take in breathtaking views of the many peaks of the Alaska Range. Have your cameras ready, the ride offers a good chance to view Denali's wildlife, which may include caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, moose, and more!
Lunch:
We'll enjoy boxed lunches on the bus.
Afternoon:
As we traverse the landscape, our onboard educator will keep their eyes peeled for wildlife and learning opportunities. Throughout the day, our educator will explain the history, ecology, and cultural significance of Denali National Park. Opportunities to stretch our legs will be available throughout the trip. Restrooms are available every 1-1.5 hours. Stops will be made periodically to observe wildlife when sighted and for photo opportunities.
Dinner:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Evening:
At leisure. Spend the evening resting, relaxing, and enjoying your time in Denali.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 36 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Standing up to 1/2 hour outside during field trip. Walking 3.5 miles on a maintained trail, approximately 4 hours; compact gravel, boardwalks, roots, rock, and stairs. About 250 feet of elevation change. Potential for rain; please dress accordingly.
Breakfast:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Morning:
After breakfast, we’ll board a bus and travel to the kennels of a local musher to learn about the life of a working sled dog, the art of mushing, and what it's like to train for races like the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod. We’ll even get a chance to interact with these furry athletes.
Lunch:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Afternoon:
We're off to Denali National Park to explore the rich and varied subarctic habitat on a scenic maintained trail. We'll take a bus to the trailhead. One of our expert field educators will look for evidence of wildlife along the winding trail and help you put your newly gained knowledge of Denali to the test. 250 feet of elevation gain possible.
Dinner:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer to Seward in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 375 miles, approximately 9 hours total riding time including stops. Getting on/off a minibus.
Breakfast:
At Denali Education Center’s Riverside Hall.
Morning:
After checking out of our rooms, we will board a motorcoach and journey to the Kenai Peninsula and the harbor town of Seward, home of Kenai Fjords National Park. Depending on weather and visibility, we may get a glimpse of Denali's peaks as we pass through Broad Pass and Denali State Park. We’ll stop at several places to stretch our legs and take photos of the magnificent views afforded in this beautiful landscape.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a boxed lunch en route, or at a stop along the way.
Afternoon:
We’ll pass through Anchorage and travel south onto the Kenai peninsula via the Seward Highway to complete our transfer. This highway has been designated a National Forest Scenic Highway. The scenery during this portion of the trip is dramatic and can include wildlife sightings. Seward is situated along the shores of Resurrection Bay and is flanked by the mountains of the Kenai range. Upon arrival, we’ll check in at our hotel, and after getting settled, we’ll board a minibus to our dinner location.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Stretch your legs and explore this beautiful harbor town, or unpack and relax after a day of travel.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a minibus; driving about 25 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Light walking and standing at the SeaLife Center. Hiking 2 miles roundtrip, approximately 2.5 hours; moderately strenuous terrain, some steep inclines, rocky areas, and sloping terrain. There are some benches along the way to rest. Potential for rain, please dress accordingly.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After boarding a minibus, we’ll visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, a public aquarium and the state’s only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation facility. The center was established after the Exxon-Valdez oil spill and is one of the only aquariums in the world with an onsite research facility, bringing in top-notch researchers from all over the world. We’ll have a chance to attend a presentation on a current research project by a scientist in residence. There will be time to independently explore the SeaLife Center’s many exhibits, view the resident wildlife, and learn more about the Center’s goals and continuing research.
Lunch:
At the SeaLife Center.
Afternoon:
We’ll travel by minibus to Exit Glacier. As we get closer to the glacier, be sure to watch for the date markers along the roadside; these markers indicate where the glacier’s terminus was located over the years. Once we arrive, we’ll be joined by a Kenai Fjords National Park Ranger who will lead us on an interpretive hike to the edge of the glacier, teaching us about the ecosystem that surrounds this iconic icy behemoth.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy a free evening in Seward resting and relaxing in your room or exploring this small town on foot.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a mini-bus and on/off a boat; riding approximately 30 minutes total on the mini-bus and 6 hours on the boat. Indoor and outdoor seating available on the catamaran. Potential for rain and wind and cold weather, please dress accordingly. Please bring a camera and binoculars if you have them. Catamaran will cross open water; please bring motion sickness medication if you are prone to motion sickness.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a catamaran-style boat at the harbor for a trip into Kenai Fjords National Park and Resurrection Bay. This is a great opportunity to spot wildlife, so be on the lookout (and have your camera ready!) as we travel through this strikingly beautiful habitat. We may be lucky enough to see whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, eagles, and more. Along our route, we will visit one active tidewater glacier.
Lunch:
Aboard the boat.
Afternoon:
Upon our return to the dock, we'll discuss the following day's schedule and our travels north to Anchorage. The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours! Free Time.This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Seward. Your Group Leader is happy to provide suggestions.
Dinner:
This dinner has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you'd like. Ask your Group Leader for suggestions, or strike out and explore this small harbor town.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 130 miles to Anchorage, approximately 3 hours with stops. Expected hotel arrival approximately 4:30 p.m. Light standing and walking up to 2 miles; mostly paved, 1-4 steps and gentle inclines possible. Potential for rain; please dress accordingly.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board a chartered motorcoach bound for Anchorage. We will enjoy the scenery and dramatic shorelines as we travel on the Seward Highway along the Turnagain Arm. Keep an eye out for wildlife; if we are lucky, we might spot a beluga in the waters of the Arm, or dall sheep in the Chugach mountains above the road.
Lunch:
At the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
Afternoon:
The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a gathering place that celebrates, perpetuates, and shares Alaska Native culture, language, heritage and tradition. Explore the indoor and outdoor exhibits and take in one-of-a-kind demonstrations by Alaska Native artists, dancers, musicians, and storytellers of all ages. After leaving the Native Heritage Center, we will check in at our hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
During the program wrap-up, we’ll recount our explorations of two of Alaska's incredible national parks and describe the new knowledge that we'll take home to share with others. After wrap-up, the remainder of the evening is yours to explore Anchorage or simply relax. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Breakfast at your pace. Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. Hotel offers 24-hour airport shuttle service.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
The hotel offers a 24-hour courtesy airport shuttle service departing on the half hour, allowing you to head to the airport at your convenience. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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