Denali visitors can most closely approach the spirit of the park in the winter on the back of a sled, behind a team of dogs. On a good day trails can be well established, and dogs may cover 30 miles or more while the musher mostly stands on the sled runners. On days after or during a snowstorm, the trails may be completely obliterated, and mushers move out ahead of the team to break trail.

The National Park Service maintains a kennel at Denali, and rangers continue the tradition of dog team patrols that begun by the first rangers in the 1920s.

The Park now offers descriptions of winter trail conditions in Denali that are commonly used by mushers, snow shoe users, cross country skiers and skijorers. Please be aware that while we try to keep information as up to date as possible, rapidly changing conditions occur. Backcountry permits are required for overnight travel within the park.

Please be prepared for all conditions and prior to starting any trip contact or stop in at the Winter Visitor Center (Murie Science and Learning Center) for the latest park information and trail conditions:

Murie Science and Learning Center
(907) 683-2294
Open 9a-4p daily, excluding holidays

Winter Trail Map

Visitors who wish to explore Denali by dog team, but lack their own dogs should consider booking a trip with one of the two concessionaires permitted to run guided mushing trips into Denali National Park & Preserve.

For day and multi-day trips:

Denali Dog Sled Expeditions
Jon Nierenberg
P.O. Box 89
Healy, AK 99743
(907) 683-2863
www.earthsonglodge.com

Denali West Lodge
Tonya and Carol Schlentner
P.O. Box 40 AC
Lake Minchumina, AK 99757
1-800-607-5567
www.denaliwest.com