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Ready to test your mountaineering and wilderness skills on North America's highest peak? Or maybe you are eyeing the vertical rock and ice walls that line the Ruth Gorge. World class mountaineering and climbing options abound in Denali National Park and Preserve. Let us help you plan for a safe and successful journey in the Alaska Range.
NPS Photo / E. Junck Steps to Planning a Climb on Denali or Mount Foraker The four-page Expedition Planning Tools section is required reading for all climbers attempting Denali or Mount Foraker.
The information covers up-to-date, Denali-specific topics including the park's Search and Rescue Policy; contact information for the seven authorized mountain guide companies; cautions for solo climbers, equipment and clothing suggestions; high altitude medical problems; clean climbing requirements, and other important topics. Registration for the 2024 mountaineering season for climbs of Denali or Mount Foraker opens January 1, 2024. Registration is now a two-step process involving (1) fee payment at the Pay.gov site and (2) email submission of the Application for Special Use Permit form linked below. Climbers attempting Denali or Mount Foraker with one of the seven authorized guide concessions should consult their guide company for payment and application guidance.
*** Climbers attempting Denali or Mount Foraker must register at least 60 days prior to their start date. This 60-day pre-registration period allows mountaineering rangers to have direct contact with climbers before they arrive in Talkeetna. Rangers can answer questions, suggest appropriate routes for different levels of expertise, and offer first-hand knowledge of conditions encountered in the Alaska Range. There are two exceptions to the 60-day pre-registration period: (For more information, go to the Frequently Asked Questions page).
If the climb is cancelled prior to February 15 of the year in which the climb is scheduled, all but $100 of the fee will be refunded (i.e. $330 for adults; $230 for youth in 2024). No refunds will be issued for cancellations after February 15, including COVID-related reasons, nor can the registration fee be applied to a future season. Be advised that if either the climber or the park cancels due to pandemic complications or travel restrictions, refunds will not be issued. We highly suggest trip insurance to cover any potential cancellations. In addition to the special use fee, each climber must pay the Denali National Park entrance fee of $15. Climbers with an Interagency Pass or a Denali Annual Pass do not need to pay the park entrance fee. Each Interagency or Denali Annual pass automatically covers four people (the pass owner and three additional adults). Climbers can pay their entrance fee or purchase an Interagency or Denali Annual pass in person at the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station at the time of check in. Entrance fees or park passes can also be purchased online in advance of arrival. If purchased online, climbers must be prepared to present their fee receipt or actual park pass for proof of purchase. All climbers are required to attend an in-person climber orientation at the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station, including those teams beginning their climb on the north side of the Alaska Range. Expedition members must check in and attend the orientation together. Expedition members will be required to provide government issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, all climber orientations during the 2023 season will be conducted at the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station. Four orientation times will be available each day (9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM), with a limited number of climbing teams in attendance. Orientation times will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis by ranger station staff, and teams are advised to remain flexible. When a Team Leader has paid their registration fee at Pay.gov AND submitted a signed Application for Special Use Permit, they will receive an email with their assigned orientation date and time based on the preferred start date listed on the Application for Special Use Permit. Other team members do not need to wait until the leader receives this email notification to register. Expedition Registration is considered COMPLETE when:
COVID testing is NOT required for a Denali, Mount Foraker, or backcountry expedition, however it is encouraged for your team's health and safety. Click here for location, hours of operation, scheduling, and other information our park partner Denali Education Center who provides rapid COVID-19 testing in downtown Talkeetna. Climbers with a permit for either Denali or Mount Foraker are subject to the current Terms and Conditions. Denali National Park and Preserve reserves the right to revoke a climbing permit in the event of a violation of these terms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) About MountaineeringDenali climbing rangers have created a helpful list of Frequently Asked Questions to use as a resource in planning your expedition. Backcountry Climbing and MountaineeringThe Alaska Range offers an amazing variety of remote climbing and backcountry skiing opportunities. The Backcountry Climbing and Mountaineering section currently offers basic trip planning information. Denali Weather Links
Historical Mountaineering Information
Other Helpful Reading
Contact UsRegistration and mountaineering ranger staff are available year-round at the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station to answer your questions. Contact ranger staff by e-mail, or: Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station PO Box 588 Talkeetna, AK 99676 (907) 733-2231 (phone) (907) 733-1465 (fax) |
Last updated: April 19, 2024