#1 of 14 lodges in Denali National Park and Preserve
Location
5.0
Cleanliness
4.9
Service
4.9
Value
4.6
Camp Denali is a wilderness lodge that offers guests a true Alaskan adventure. It is situated near treeline, providing access to native tundra and boreal forest habitats right from your door. Each of the 19 guest cabins has a picture window view of Denali and offers privacy throughout your stay. The cabins are hand-crafted, well-appointed, and authentic. Quilts made by our staff adorn the beds, a wood stove provides cozy warmth, and propane lamps light the cabins. A short path leads to a private, meticulously maintained outhouse, and sink basin inside allows washing up. Drinking water comes from a spigot just outside and may be heated on your cabin's propane hot plate for a morning coffee or afternoon tea. A three- to seven-minute walk uphill from your cabin leads you to the dining room, a modern shower facility, and our historic log lodge with an inviting wood stove, cozy seating, library, and unparalleled views.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
We loved our 4 night stay at Camp Denali as a family of 3. My husband and I traveled with our 7 year old son, who is a bit younger than their recommended age. I would largely agree that the experience is generally best for older kids, teens, and adults. As an only child, our son is comfortable in the company of grown ups and enjoys "grown up" food and had spent a lot of time hiking and being outside and did well keeping up on strenuous and moderate hikes and he loved his time here. The staff was all wonderful with him--Jenna let him ring the breakfast and dinner bell, kitchen staff made snacks for his stuffed animal, Simon hunted down a bike his size. The personal attention is one of the many things that makes Camp Denali special.
Camp Denali is one of a few lodges in the north side of the park which was cut off from the rest of the park following a landslide in 2021 and has been operating as a fly in lodge since that time. It’s the only one with views of Denali. The fly in includes a flightseeing tour of the Alaska range (assuming weather cooperates) and the fly out a more direct route across the tundra. We had the Alaska range tour both ways because low clouds blocked the other route on our way out. The flight in is in a Cessna 6 seater, which some people may struggle with.
Camp Denali is not rustic, but it’s also not luxurious. Think upscale glamping. Our cabin--quite comfortable for the three of us--had running water, but I think most have water just outside the cabin. Each has a dedicated lovely very clean outhouse. Flush toilets are available in the shower building and dining room. Dining is communal at long tables with assigned seating, so your experience definitely can vary based on the guests who join for your stay. The food is fantastic with beautiful presentations, fresh baked goods daily, and a focus on local ingredients with blueberries sourced from the park and veggies grown in in a greenhouse on site.
The focus is hiking/wildlife with guided hikes or “forays” daily at 3 different intensity levels. You can also engage in independent activities like biking the park road, fishing in Moose Creek, and canoeing on Wonder Lake. We were especially impressed by guide Rob whose enthusiasm was infectious and my son looked up to as a "big brother." There is a nightly educational program--entirely optional and also attended by staff--with lectures from a visiting scholar/artist which really adds to the experience. Overall, this is a place meant for people to slow down, look around them, and learn about and enjoy the flora and fauna of the park. It's a place of community amongst the staff who warmly welcoming guests into that community.
If you are looking for a splurge--there is no way to downplay that this is an expensive stay--but are comfortable without all the amenities and are active and want to explore this amazing park and feel like it’s your own personal playground, Cape Denali is a fabulous spot. When Denali is out of the clouds, the views cannot be beat. Waking up and seeing that mountain out my cabin window the first morning we were there was indescribable.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it hard to describe a travel experience as “superlative” when using words like “propane lights”, “DIY wood stove”, and “outhouse”? No, not when speaking of Camp Denali! So, what is great about CD: the location, the views, the cuisine, the outings, the guides and their knowledge, the pristine cabins, the wonderful bed with its handmade quilt, the organization and communication, the personal attention to each guest - and, the always helpful, always friendly, always happy staff. There is a modern and bright shower room, a boiler room to dry your damp hiking clothes, a resource room to learn more about the geography and wildlife, a lodge to relax in a space that speaks Alaska to me.
I am an older woman, traveled solo. I am an organization freak, so I loved how everything was so neat, organized, and labeled! 😀 I truly appreciated having excellent guides on my foray and on my moderate hike. (With a prior experience elsewhere in AK, only the “strenuous” group got a knowledgeable guide.) On a hike we sat on a mountainside eating our lunch (prepared, bagged, and handed to us that morning), and watching two bears climb a mountain and dig feverishly, maybe going after a squirrel, before sliding back down the scree. Caribou, moose, bears, golden eagle, mountain goats, and endless birds - all part of our experiences. On the last full day we had spectacular views of Denali, and I opted for a Fireside Foray and hung out in the Lodge with my book and my tea and a cozy fire in the wood stove.
When I described this experience to someone, she called it “glamping”. No, it is much more than that. I felt immersed in this magnificent landscape, learned a lot from the staff, and often just sat and looked, listened. Camp Denali ranks very high on my list of travel memories, very high.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:August had no mosquitos. We had mostly good weather. I lived in my wool base layer shirt and a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our stay at Camp Denali, was perfect in every way, from the coordination for our flight, at the airstrip south of the park entrance, until we returned via plane 5 days later. Simon and Jenna Hamm are hosts extraordinaire, interacting with guests around the dining tables and sharing the 70 year history of this unique location. The guide staff work especially hard to share their knowledge of Denali National Park, accommodate varying degrees of mobility, and structure the outings for frequent wildlife sightings. The menu reflects the "fine dining" emphasis that has been perfected over the last decades, into a truly wonderful experience around the breakfast and dinner tables.The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the stay and the ability to adjust based on weather, smoke, rain, speaks to many years of management expertise. We had snow and then warm enough temperatures to take a dip in Nugget Pond after a day out on the tundra. As our world become more "generized", this is an experience to treasure...save your pennies and make it happen.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:The cabins are spread out down the hill, each unique, cozy and comfortable. and with a view of...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place understands how to provide a high-end experience in a wilderness. They don’t pamper you to the point you lose touch with the environment but everything they do they execute beautifully.
The cabins don’t have electricity or running water (it’s right outside the door) but are comfortable, cozy and very well thought out. The outhouses are top-notch with great views and are only a few steps away.
The infrastructure of the place is amazing given its setting, and it’s clear the owners aren’t afraid to invest in the place.
The guides are great and the camp claims it’s been grandfathered in as the only outfit allowed to guide hikes inside the national park.
The food is very good and they do a nice job of taking advantage of what they’re able to grow in their greenhouse and gardens, but still, they’re cooking for a large group so don’t get too excited (except about the baked goods).
One thing to consider is your cabin could be a bit of a walk from the dining area and showers so be prepared. This is especially important if you choose to participate in any of the daily guided hikes. After breakfast you’ll only have enough time to return to your cabin and then hike back up to the staging area before the hikes depart. Likewise, they often return late enough that you don’t really have time to walk up for a shower, return to your cabin and then walk back up for dinner.
In short, if you choose to do their activities don’t expect to have any hang out time. This would be an argument for doing a 4 night stay and keeping a day just to enjoy the camp.
Overall a wonderful experience and we can see why they have so many people return over the years.
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Date of stay: June 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband, brother, sister-in-law and I were here for four nights in July 2021. The two cabins were next to each other which was very convenient for pre-dinner wine and hors d'oeuvres. Our cabin was large with a nice table and four chairs so we could all sit inside but we were mainly on the deck. Everything was very clean.
The dining hall was about 1/4 mile up the hill but the views made the "hike" worthwhile, and we were always rewarded with fabulous meals.
They offered daily hikes at three different levels. One hike, labeled "moderate" was actually part of the strenuous hike and was challenging. (Be sure to get the details on the hikes beforehand.) The other two hikes were perfect. Staff was exceptionally friendly , very knowledgeable and consistently helpful. We were particularly gratefully that they required all guests to be vaccinated.
We highly recommend Camp Denali!
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Date of stay: July 2021
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hiking excursions are good for those in excellent condition. Walking on the tundra is fun but very tiring. Great guides, very knowledgeable and articulate. We did not enjoy the smelly outhouse or the cold cabin. The cute woodstove was basically ornamental with no damper so that the heat just went up the chimney. We spent our evenings huddled up in our beds. The food was a disappointment. At $650 a night we expected wonderful fish and seafood. Instead the cuisine was of a budget variety heavy on carbs, beans and tofu. Amazingly stingy! We had overcooked cod one night and a tiny serving of overcooked chicken takki masala on another night.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The people who run Camp Denali really value making you feel welcome and cared for. They are very responsible and maintain the place perfectly. The guides were excellent. The food was interesting and excellent. I read some of the other glowing reviews, and I can't say it better, so I'll just say 100% "ditto"!
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camp Denali isn’t for everyone, but if you enjoy the combination of a historical and rustic setting and incredible food, friends, and adventures, this is the place. Food is some of the best I’ve had in Alaska. The staff is treated well and it shows. Every single staff member we encountered both front and back of house was so excited to be there, happy to help, and enjoyed being there year after year. Guided excursions were led by knowledgeable guides with far more depth of knowledge about the park than any park of tourism staff I’ve encountered. As a historical operator you will find privileges at camp Denali that you cannot find anywhere else. Guided hikes in the park, canoeing in Wonder Lake, and space to stretch your legs and have privacy. The cabins were the perfect place to relax, and enjoy peace. The outhouse was clean, and had a private view of the mountain. There isn’t power at the cabins, but it isn’t needed. Propane lights and wood stoves allow you to have the light and heat, and there isn’t phone service out there anyway! They provide a place to charge any and all the electronics you’d like, but there isn’t a need other than to recharge your camera/phone battery. The staff is so amazing, the special emphasis speaker series was fantastic, the food was unbelievable, and the guided (and self-guided) activities were one of a kind. Out of this world AMAZING! (And the photo is the view from laying in bed in the individual cabin we were in)
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing trip. Who would believe you feel pampered in a cabin w no electricity, water, and an outhouse. Our only disappointment was we should have booked a longer stay. Meals are first rate, packed lunches for hiking adventures are individualized and dinners The Naturalists are highly educated and personable. What a trip. Memories for a lifetime....but we may go back. Covid vaccination status was required in advance of the trip and masks 9in case) in common areas and the bus.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:cabins are assigned. you can ask to be closer to main lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We flew into Camp Denali with good friends for a four day visit. Although it was pricey, we felt it was well worth it for the delicious food, accommodations, and an amazing staff of naturalists who made every outing very special and extremely informative. We lucked out with peak colors for Fall and no mosquitos and of course awesome views of Denali and the Alaskan Range. We would highly recommend a visit to Camp Denali.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska11 contributions
Hello,
Thank you for your question! It is with heavy hearts and profound disappointment that Camp Denali and North Face Lodge will be closed for the 2020 season in light of COVID-19. We are currently taking 2021 reservations. Our rates will remain the same ($655 per person per night plus tax). Our 2021 season will start on June 4th and end on September 10th.
Please feel free to give our office a call at 907-683-2290. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30am-12pm and 1pm-4:30pm Alaska Time.
We hope you are staying safe and healthy during this difficult time.
Kind regards,
Camp Denali & North Face Lodge
London, United Kingdom431 contributions109 helpful votes
It is best to check with Camp Denali on the rates they charge. Maybe they do special offers? I don't know. I went in June so no I didn't see the Northern Lights but I did see Mount Denali in all her glory plus the most beautiful scenery and wildlife.
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska11 contributions
Hi Pam,
We meet guests at the train depot parking lot near the Denali Visitor Center. Our departures are Mondays & Fridays at 1:00 PM. The Denali Park Road is open to private vehicles to mile 12, so driving your own car to our lodges is not an option (we are located at mile 90). The only transportation to that area of the Park is by bus.
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska11 contributions
Thank you for your inquiry. We are currently taking reservations for Camp Denali in 2017. While there is still plenty of availability in June and July, I would encourage you to be in touch soon to check availability for specific sessions. We are in the office Monday - Friday. You can reach our staff at (907) 683-2290.
There are more places to choose from in the Denali National Park and Preserve area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
camp denali hotel denali national park and preserve
LOCATION
United StatesAlaskaDenali National Park and Preserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
19
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