Alaska's parks
Tundra wildlife and natural history tours
Shorter bus rides have narration and hotel pickup
By Leon Unruh / Alaska.com
Denali National Park's great outdoors can be seen through two tours other than the green shuttle buses. The Tundra Wildlife Tour and the Natural History Tour offer narrated rides on the park road.
The Tundra Wildlife Tour has two departures a day -- early morning and early afternoon -- from hotels near the park entrance. The Natural History Tour has three departures. These tours are operated by Denali Park Resorts (the same company that runs the Denali visitor transportation system's green shuttle buses).
The wildlife tour is six to eight hours long, going to Toklat River (Mile 53) and on to Stony Dome and the Toklat River, Mile 53, on clear days when there's a view of Mount McKinley. The tour doesn't go as far as Eielson Visitors Center. Guides interpret the scenery -- from rolling valleys to glaciated peaks -- and wildlife -- bears, moose, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep, ground squirrels, foxes and birds.
The tour includes a box lunch and drink. The menu may vary, but look for a croissant, cheese, reindeer sausage and trail mix, with coffee, hot chocolate or juice.
The Natural History Tour goes to Primrose Ridge, Mile 17, with narration by a guide. A snack is provided.
Tundra Wildlife and Natural History tours begin May 15 and run through Sept. 17. Because road conditions are iffy early and late in the season, wildlife rides are shorter then.
Tundra Wildlife Tour
| Dates | Destination | Trip length | Adult / child fare |
| May 15-24 and Sept. 13-17 | Teklanika River, Mile 29 | 3-4 hours | $58.25 / $34 |
| May 25-Sept. 12 | Toklat River, Mile 53. Tour goes to Stony Dome, Mile 61, if views of McKinley are available. | 4-6 hours | $87.25 / $46 |
Natural History Tour
| Dates | Destination | Trip length | Adult / child fare |
| May 15-Sept. 17 | Primrose Ridge, 17 miles | 3-4 hours | $46.50 / $28.25 |
Make a reservation
Reserve a Wildlife Tour or Natural History Tour seat by calling 800-276-7234 or 907-276-7234.
More on this topic
 Hotels, campgrounds, lodges welcome visitors
Alaska Railroad to Denali
Denali climate and sunshine
Rafting the Nenana reveals Denali's wet side
Green buses shuttle visitors into Denali
Bus service to Denali
Reserve campsite, bus ticket early for Denali trip
Flightseeing at Denali
Denali Institute ecosystem courses
Denali campground guide
Driving to Denali
Limited offer: Drive Denali for free
Hiking and backcountry camping at Denali
Driving Denali in autumn
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