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    1. Local experiences
    2. /Things to do in Denali National Park and Preserve…
    3. /Land Activities
    4. /Mountain and Forest Hikes
    5. /Denali Survival Skills Tour
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    Denali Survival Skills Tour

    Go off-trail to learn Alaska wilderness skills and edible plants

    5.0 stars• 609 reviews

    Duration

    4 hrs

    Includes

    Guide, trekking poles, rain jackets

    Highlights

    Explore an off-trail boreal forest just outside Denali National Park and Preserve with an expert survivalist guide. Learn practical wilderness knowledge, from edible plants to shelter-building traditions.

    • Identify edible plants and berries, including cloudberries
    • Learn Athabaskan food-preservation methods and shelter-building skills
    • Recognize moose signs, game trails, permafrost, and forest clues
    • Hear stories of Denali survivalists, including Chris McCandless
    • Look for wildlife such as squirrels, moose, ptarmigan, eagles, and weasels

    Itinerary

    1. You complete your booking.
    2. You get a phone call from one of our team members to help you plan your trip and to answer any questions you have.
    3. You get a text from your guide the day before your tour confirming details and pick up.
    4. Your guide picks you up from your hotel (or an agreed upon meeting location) and takes you to the boreal forest.
    5. The Tour! Enjoy a beautiful walk through the boreal forest, and a lesson on survival in Denali.
    6. Your guide drops you back at your hotel, or anywhere else you'd like to be dropped off.
    7. You impress your friends with your new knowledge of Alaska. They'll be shocked when you point to a clearing and can tell them what kinds of tasty berries will be growing there.

    What's Included

    • Expert survivalist guide
    • Trekking poles
    • Rain jackets
    • Drinking water
    • Mosquito repellent
    • Shuttle service within 20 miles of the park entrance

    Important details

    • Warm clothing and closed-toe shoes are required
    • Small children require adult accompaniment and supervision at all times
    • Requires navigating off-trail, uneven terrain with minor bushwhacking; plan for about 1–3 miles and 200–300 feet of elevation gain
    • Tours operate in rain and cancel only for lightning

    Cancellation Policy

    Cancel anytime for a full refund. No-call/no-shows are charged.

    Product ID: 2UJYFY

    FAQs

    This is an off-trail hike and may involve minor bushwhacking. Wear long pants and long sleeves, bring warm layers, comfortable hiking shoes/boots, plenty of water, and lunch. Consider bringing extra rain gear (rain pants aren’t provided).

    Yes—meeting point is your hotel. Your guide will text you the specific pickup time the day before your hike; they try to send texts before 5 pm and no later than 7 pm.

    The tour is time-based and customized to your group, so exact distance varies. Be prepared for about 1–3 miles and roughly 200–300 feet of elevation gain.

    Experience provided by Northern Epics

    Related locations

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

    Call or text 1-877-GREET-WELL

    Report an issue

    Adult

    $263.94

    Ages 13 and up

    0

    Child

    $210.94

    Ages 12 and under

    0

    Why book through Greetwell?

    • No Added Fees

      No booking or service fees, ever

    • Concierge Support Included

      Real humans ready to help with timing, questions, or special requests

    • Free Cancellation Available

      Most experiences can be cancelled for a full refund

    Discover what we've curated for you

    Review summary

    5.0
    Excellent
    609 reviews•Google Maps
    430
    2
    0
    0
    2

    This locally-owned outfit has clearly assembled a stellar team of guides who genuinely know their stuff. Names like Adrian, Jordan, Derrick, Don, Abby, and Jade pop up repeatedly, with visitors consistently impressed by their deep knowledge of Denali's plants, wildlife, geology, and edible vegetation. The guides don't just recite facts—they make learning engaging and personal, adapting hikes to each group's pace and interests. What sets this company apart is the off-trail wilderness experience. While Denali has plenty of busy, established trails, these tours take you into less-traveled terrain where you'll notice things you'd otherwise walk right past. The wilderness survival option gets particular praise for teaching practical skills even to experienced campers. Multiple reviewers mention tasting edible plants along the way, and the company's responsive communication before tours helps set the right expectations. If you're looking for a more human-powered, educational alternative to the typical motorized Denali activities, this appears to be an excellent choice.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 5
    5/5

    Exceptional Naturalist, Exceptional Denali Experience After 43 years of marriage and countless adventures together, my wife and I have enjoyed many memorable tours—but our Denali nature walk with Jade unquestionably ranks among the very best. What transformed what could have been a pleasant walk through a beautiful landscape into something extraordinary was Jade’s depth of knowledge. He didn’t simply point out what we were seeing; he helped us understand the living ecosystem around us. His knowledge of Denali was exceptional, but his expertise in botany was particularly impressive. Plants that we might otherwise have walked past became fascinating pieces of a much larger ecological story. Jade explained their characteristics, relationships and place within the Denali environment with an enthusiasm that was contagious. We found ourselves looking more closely, asking more questions and appreciating details we simply would not have noticed on our own. That is what separates an excellent naturalist from someone who simply leads a tour: Jade made us more curious. His knowledge was matched by his ability to communicate it. Our questions were welcomed and thoughtfully answered, and the experience never felt scripted or rushed. Instead, it felt like spending several hours exploring Denali with someone who genuinely understands the landscape and loves sharing that knowledge with others. For us, the result was much more than a hike. It was educational, empowering and deeply memorable. Alaska provides the scenery, but the right naturalist can completely change the way you experience it. Jade did exactly that for us. After 43 years of traveling through life together, it takes something special for my wife and me to describe an excursion as one of our most memorable. This was something special. Jade, thank you for helping us see Denali not simply as a spectacular place to visit, but as an extraordinary ecosystem to understand, appreciate and remember. We could not recommend Jade—or this experience—more highly. Jeff & Coleen K

    Photo of Coleen Kremer

    Coleen Kremer

    September 3, 2026

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    Exceptional Naturalist, Exceptional Denali Experience After 43 years of marriage and countless adventures together, my wife and I have enjoyed many memorable tours—but our Denali nature walk with Jade unquestionably ranks among the very best. What transformed what could have been a pleasant walk through a beautiful landscape into something extraordinary was Jade’s depth of knowledge. He didn’t simply point out what we were seeing; he helped us understand the living ecosystem around us. His knowledge of Denali was exceptional, but his expertise in botany was particularly impressive. Plants that we might otherwise have walked past became fascinating pieces of a much larger ecological story. Jade explained their characteristics, relationships and place within the Denali environment with an enthusiasm that was contagious. We found ourselves looking more closely, asking more questions and appreciating details we simply would not have noticed on our own. That is what separates an excellent naturalist from someone who simply leads a tour: Jade made us more curious. His knowledge was matched by his ability to communicate it. Our questions were welcomed and thoughtfully answered, and the experience never felt scripted or rushed. Instead, it felt like spending several hours exploring Denali with someone who genuinely understands the landscape and loves sharing that knowledge with others. For us, the result was much more than a hike. It was educational, empowering and deeply memorable. Alaska provides the scenery, but the right naturalist can completely change the way you experience it. Jade did exactly that for us. After 43 years of traveling through life together, it takes something special for my wife and me to describe an excursion as one of our most memorable. This was something special. Jade, thank you for helping us see Denali not simply as a spectacular place to visit, but as an extraordinary ecosystem to understand, appreciate and remember. We could not recommend Jade—or this experience—more highly. Jeff & Coleen K

    Photo of Coleen Kremer

    Coleen Kremer

    September 3, 2026

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