Denali State Park Day Tours & Attractions
Denali State Park is quieter and has fewer hotels than nearby Denali National Park, but still comes with endless natural beauty and lots to do. Explore the selection of campgrounds and join a guided hike or rafting tour.
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Day Tours & Attractions
Denali State Park Kayaking Tours View All
Guided kayaking tours and kayak, canoe and stand up paddle board rentals at Byers Lake in Denali State Park. Denali Southside also offers trailhead shuttle service along the 25 miles of hiking trails of Kesugi Ridge.
Parks & Trails View All
During periods of clear weather, this route through Denali State Park offers similar terrain and scenery to Denali National Park — including unparalleled views of Denali — without the cumbersome permitting process. This trail system offers many options for starting and ending points, as there are four trailheads along its length.
The Curry Ridge Trail is a newly constructed trail (2016) that departs from the Kesugi K’en Campground and climbs moderately (1100 ft in about 3.5 miles) up Curry Ridge. On a clear day, hikers are rewarded with stunning views of Mt. Denali in the distance.
Guided Hiking View All
Denali State Park • Scenic lakes • Possible Wildlife sightings • Denali (McKinley) views on clear days
Get out there on one or more of these super-accessible trips, which range from easy nature walks to strenuous alpine multi-day treks. You’ll not only get a healthy dose of scenery, you’ll also exercise your body, mind, and soul. In winter, marvel at frozen waterfalls, snowshoe treks and even heli-snowshoeing!
Explore Alaska on foot — take a scenic day hike into the South Denali area. Choose one of 3 great hikes; from an easy, 2‑mile stroll to a moderately strenuous 5½-hour hike. You’ll get spectacular views and see plenty of wildlife as you trek with your experienced naturalist guide. Depending on the hike you may pass pristine lakes, see an old pioneer’s cabin, catch a glimpse of Mt. McKinley, and even have the chance to spot foraging bears. These ...more
Get a unique view of the Alaskan wilderness on a four- or seven-day backpacking trip through the backcountry. You’ll be trekking on Kesugi Ridge in Denali State Park, with magnificent views of Mt. McKinley and of course plenty of wildlife to spot along the way. Your experienced naturalist guide will be with you the whole way, cooking up great meals at your campsites. You should be fit enough to carry a pack up moderate hills, though you’ll ...more
Rafting Tours View All
Talkeetna River Guides has offered expertly guided rafting day trips for over 20 years. Float through the remote wilderness of Denali State Park, just a stone’s throw away from Denali National Park’s wild south side. Choose the two-hour Talkeetna River Natural History Float Trip, the four-hour Chultina River Raft Tour, or an overnight or multi-day excursion.