One of the best ways to experience the vast wilderness in Denali National Park is backpacking. Backpacking in Denali National Park is an experience unlike any other.
There are no trails to help you find your way. Grizzly bears may be hiding around the next bend. Freezing rivers could flow between you and the peak you’d like to climb, or the glacier you’d like to see. Secret waterfalls never marked on a map are waiting to be discovered as herds of caribou wander by your camp.
No matter the adventure you seek in Denali, backpacking provides.
Are you ready for the challenge? Here’s everything you need to know to receive a Denali backpacking permit.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, view my privacy policy.
Table of Contents
Getting to Denali National Park
IMPORTANT: As of August 2021, Denali Park Road is partially closed due to a massive landslide. It’s expected to reopen in 2026. Learn more here.
The easiest way to get to Denali National Park is to fly to Fairbanks or Anchorage and rent a car. Denali is one of three national parks in Alaska located on the road system. There are also bus services from either airport and the Alaska Railroad if you’d prefer a long, scenic train ride.
The best time to go backpacking in Denali National Park is early June to early September.
Backpacking in Denali Is Not Like Backpacking in the Lower 48
Consider your skill level before you go. There are no trails in Denali’s backcountry. Can you read a topographic map and use a compass to find your way? Have you ever hiked off-trail? You should prepare for wet, cold, and windy conditions at any time of year.
When you plan your trip and speak with a park ranger, let them know your skill level. If you are not comfortable crossing a river, let them know that so they can help you find an appropriate unit. If you’d prefer easier terrain, like gravel bars, speak up. The park rangers are there to help you plan the safest, most memorable trip possible. Read more about terrain types in Denali here.
Remember, the Denali National Park is remote. After mile 3 of the Denali Park Road, you will not have cell reception.
If backpacking in Denali sounds like too much for you, that’s okay! Use these resources to plan a trip that’s best for you.
Denali National Park’s Backcountry Unit Quota System
There are nearly 100 designated backcountry units in Denali National Park, and those along the Denali Park Road corridor each have a quota. Ranging from 2 to 12, this is the number of individuals limited to that particular unit. The quota is designed to allow for solitude for every backcountry camper by considering the unit’s size and natural features. This also allows visitors on Denali’s bus system to enjoy the pristine wilderness as well.
It is recommended that you review the unit descriptions before you arrive. Then, design multiple trip plans in case the units you’re most interested in are full when you arrive. You should also check current wildlife closures to be sure the units you’re interested in are open.
Obtaining a Denali Backpacking Permit
All permits are free. The only cost is the bus ticket you’ll need to access the wilderness and the park entrance fee, included with your bus ticket.
Permits must be obtained in person at the Backcountry Information Desk at the Denali Visitor Center. No reservations are accepted in advance. The earliest you may obtain a permit is the day before your trip.
You should allow at least one hour to obtain your permit. This process includes:
- Watching the required Denali Backcountry Film. Even if you watch this online, you must watch chapters 3, 4, and 5 again at the visitor center.
- Checking out a required bear-resistant food container. If you have your own, check this list to make sure it is approved for use in Denali.
- Checking “the big board” at the Backcountry Information Desk to see which units are available.
- Filling out a Denali Backcountry Permit application and going over your trip plan with a Backcountry Park Ranger.
- Purchasing a Camper Bus ticket. You can reserve one online ahead of time or visit the Riley Creek Mercantile, Denali Bus Depot, or Denali Visitor Center Bus Stop to purchase a Camper Bus ticket once your Denali backpacking permit is in-hand.
Rules and Regulations for Backpacking in Denali
- Do not feed, disturb, approach, harm, or molest wildlife. Read up on bear safety before you go.
- Leave no trace! Bury human waste in a hole at least 6 inches deep. Clean up and pack out all trash, including food crumbs and toilet paper.
- Your campsite must be at least 1/2-mile away from AND out of view of the Denali Park Road.
- Follow the golden triangle rule: there should be 100 yards between where you camp, where you store your food, and where you cook.
- Keep the wilderness wild: don’t post your trip route online. Don’t hike in a single file line.
What to Pack for Backpacking in Denali
The following list of items should be included in your pack. For more recommendations, read about my favorite outdoor gear and the best daypacks for women. Furthermore, here’s what to wear in Alaska.
- Detailed topographic maps (sold at the Denali Visitor Center) and a good overview map
- Compass
- First Aid Kit
- High-calorie food
- Shelter
- Sleeping bag and pad
- Appropriate footwear
- Wool or synthetic clothing to layer (dry clothes to sleep in)
- Rain jacket and pants
- Lightweight camp shoes
- Water container and water filter
- Campstove and fuel
- Emergency signaling device
- Bug spray and a head net
The 10 Hiking Essentials
Every hiker should always carry the ten essentials with them. These include:
- Navigation systems: map, compass, and/or GPS
- Sun protection: sunscreen and/or ballcap
- Insulating layers: synthetic or down jacket, rain jacket, hat, gloves, and leggings
- Illumination (flashlight or headlamp)
- First-aid kit
- Something to light a fire: lighter, waterproof matches, and/or fire starter
- Repair kits and tools: pocket knife, duct tape, screwdriver, and/or scissors
- Emergency shelter: tent, bivy, tarp, and/or space blanket
- Nutrition: food for both meals and snacks
- Hydration: water bottle, water treatment (LifeStraw or SteriPen), and water
Denali National Park Phone Case
Fodor’s Guide to the 63 National Parks
Denali National Park Puffy Blanket
Women’s National Parks Checklist T-Shirt
Women’s National Parks Checklist T-Shirt
Map of National Parks T-Shirt
Denali National Park Sticker
Denali National Park Patch
63 National Parks Water Bottle
Denali National Park Sticker
Denali National Park Candle
Denali National Park Cross Stitch Kit
Denali National Park Sticker
Denali National Park Vintage Sweatshirt
Denali National Park Alaska: Guide to Hiking, Photography and Camping
Denali National Park Map
Pin the Expert Guide to Backpacking in Denali National Park
