Hike from taiga forest to open tundra with a naturalist guide
3–4 hrs
Up to 11 people
Transport, guide, hiking poles
Explore Denali's taiga and tundra on a guided afternoon hike through forest and open terrain. Learn about the plants, animals, and ecosystems that shape this Alaskan landscape.
Pick-Up / Meet-Up We'll pick you up at your hotel or you can meet us at the New Wave Adventures office — whichever works best for you!
Scenic Drive to the Trailhead Sit back and enjoy the beautiful Alaskan views as we make our way to the trailhead.
Hit the Trail Breathe in the fresh mountain air and take in the sights, sounds, and stories of the Alaskan outdoors. This is what you came for!
Return Trip After your adventure, we’ll head back to the office or drop you off at your hotel.
Cancel at least 2 days in advance for a full refund. Cancellations within 1 day are non-refundable. Trips run rain or shine. No refunds after participation. If the operator cancels and cannot reschedule, you will receive a full refund minus the booking fee.
Product ID: SXDJFY
Yes. All hikers must sign a liability waiver to participate.
Dress in warm, moisture-wicking layers and wear sturdy hiking boots or trail runners. Bring a small backpack with water, rain jacket and rain pants, warm layers (like fleece), snacks, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses, chapstick, and a camera. If you carry medications (like an epinephrine auto-injector), bring them with you.
Yes. Hiking poles are available to borrow, or you can bring your own.
New Wave Adventures, 38758 George Parks Hwy., Denali, AK 99755
The guides here really make the experience. Luke Johnson gets called out repeatedly for being knowledgeable, funny, and fantastic with kids of all ages. J Money, Corbin, Tommy Salami, and others consistently earn praise for their professionalism, local knowledge, and ability to balance fun banter with genuine safety expertise. The front desk staff, including Tracy, also get recognition for being organized and welcoming from the booking stage onward. The operation itself runs smoothly, with quality dry suits that actually keep you dry, well-maintained equipment, and seamless logistics from hotel pickup to drop-off. They offer different river sections based on water levels and experience, with the Canyon Run being popular for those wanting more action and the Wilderness Wave perfect for families with younger kids or those preferring a calmer float. One group noted their trip was more of a float than expected, but most reviewers found their experience matched what they'd hoped for. The scenery along the Nenana River consistently impresses, and the guides share interesting details about the landscape, wildlife, and glaciers throughout the journey.
My husband and I were blessed by New Wave Adventures by giving us a wonderful rafting experience on the Nenana river. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. Our guide, J Money, was the best! He was a great help with our dry suits and embarking and disembarking on the raft. Thank you J Money and New Wave Adventures!
Ronald Schroeder
September 1, 2026
My husband and I were blessed by New Wave Adventures by giving us a wonderful rafting experience on the Nenana river. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. Our guide, J Money, was the best! He was a great help with our dry suits and embarking and disembarking on the raft. Thank you J Money and New Wave Adventures!
Ronald Schroeder
September 1, 2026
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