Denali Naturalist Walking Tour

Adrian was our guide. He was so knowledgeable about the plants, trees and wildlife in the area. So many wildflowers in bloom! Wonderful hike. An easy walk along the water.

Javier was an excellent guide. We got to see Goss Hawks on our walk which are very unique to the area. He pointed out so many aspects of the area we walked with both animals and plants especially the birds. He was personable and made the walk fun. I would highly recommend this walk.

We had the best time. I’ve taken guided nature walks all over the world, and you never really know in advance whether it will be worth it. This one with Andy absolutely delivered. Andy is exceptionally knowledgeable and could answer any question—not just giving answers, but clearly explaining why he knew them. His curiosity is contagious, and it shows in how deeply he understands the natural world. He brought the local flora and fauna to life with great stories and solid science, turning every stop into something interesting rather than just another walk in the woods. A highlight was the “mystery scat investigation.” What we thought was black bear scat turned out, according to Andy, to be very likely grizzly—even in black bear territory. He broke down the clues in a way that actually made sense (and made us unexpectedly interested in poop identification). We also looked at what we thought might be moose scat—more sawdust-like in texture. Andy explained how that can fit with Moose depending on diet and season, and how it differs from the more uniform pellets of Caribou. Fun, fascinating, and absolutely worth it.

What an incredible morning hike! Andy was such a knowledgeable guide and really catered the experience for us. We learned so much about the flora and fauna during our three hours. We truly can’t stop taking about our Alaskan experience with Denali Backcountry Guides!!

This nature hike was one of the highlights of my trip. Our guide, Eric, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the Alaskan Boreal forest, and it was obvious within minutes that this was far more than a job to him. From plants, lichen, and wildflowers to moose droppings, spruce bark beetles, and the delicate balance of the ecosystem, he made every step of the trail fascinating. Even though we didn’t spot any wildlife, I never once felt like we missed out because the forest itself felt so alive with stories. The pace was comfortable, the views over the Nenana River were beautiful, and I walked away feeling like I had learned far more than I expected. If you enjoy nature, learning, and getting off the beaten path a bit, I highly recommend this experience.

If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Alaska, book a hike with Denali Backcountry Guides! My father and I recently did a guided hike with them, and we can wholeheartedly say it was one of the best hikes we've ever had. Our first day was a stroll along well-marked paths with Alex Norris, perfectly tailored to our experience levels. Time flew by as we immersed ourselves in the beauty of nature, stopping frequently to learn about the diverse wildlife and flora surrounding us (I am a pro photographer, so these pauses were critical for me to get great shots). From tracking native animals to discovering the medicinal uses of local plants that Alaskans have cherished for centuries, every moment was a treasure trove of knowledge. Also important to know, they are all trained on encountering wildlife and teach you how to react before you even start the trail. Alex is also an EMT which is great in case of any minor accident / health issues you may be concerned about. What made the experience even more enriching was the expertise of our guides. Each one had a unique specialty—be it naturalist insights, homesteading knowledge, or birdwatching skills. I had a different guide on my second day, and the shift in trail intensity allowed us to explore new landscapes / trails at a higher elevation. I was amazed by the variety of flora and fauna we encountered, and I couldn't resist asking all sorts of questions. The guides were always friendly and eager to share their knowledge, even pulling out an app to identify the bird calls we heard along the way! It's evident that the guides at Denali Backcountry Guides are passionate about what they do. They genuinely care about educating visitors and protecting the stunning wilderness of Alaska. It will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the Alaskan wilderness. I will definitely use them again!

My mom, my friend, and I did the Denali walking tour with Javier. It was a highlight of my 12 day Princess Alaska cruisetour. Javier taught us about the forest, edible plants, and of course wildlife. We even had a close moose encounter that was very memorable! We also saw a Swainson’s thrush up close as it was foraging for food on a squirrel midden and watched it sing. We saw a beaver dam and evidence of beavers having gnawed through quite a large tree. I learned so much about the Alaskan wilderness and can’t thank our guide Javier enough for his sharing of knowledge and expertise with us on such a pleasant hike.

Our tour guide, Alex Norris, had great knowledge of the local plants and flora on this relatively easy naturalist hike. It was very enjoyable and not at all difficult. He stopped frequently to explain the significance of certain plants and the impact that the changing climate might have on the Alaskan ecosystem.

Our guide Eric was very friendly and immediately put us at ease. He gave us some trek options to help gauge what level of hike we wished to go on on this 3 hour tour. We hiked near Montana Creek through forest up into the tundra. The climb was gradual but levelled out and it was muddy in places but we had excellent weather so it was not hard going. Eric was extremely engaging and enthusiastic about the whole environment, pointing out different plant species, talking about animals and their behaviour as well the geologic history of Denali. This was exactly what we signed up for, plus with a fun stream crossing thrown in - it was an immersive, enjoyable and educational experience. Top Tip: good walking shoes/boots are a must, water, extra layer/waterproofs (just in case)! + Spirit of Adventure + be Denali Curious!

Our guide Andy was great. A natural storyteller. You can tell by the way he showed and talked about things that he is very knowledgeable and really loves his job. Made all the members in our group to be more curious of what we see in nature. It was a 3 hour tour but the time just flew by.