Flightseeing
A flightseeing tour of the park is one of the best ways to get a sense of the Alaska Range's size and scope. Flightseeing is also the best way to get close-up views of Denali and its neighboring giants, and maybe even stand on a glacier, all without the hassle of days of hiking and lugging food and gear.
Most Denali flightseeing is done out of Talkeetna, a small end-of-the-road town between Anchorage and Denali, and the operators will offer several tours, including a quick fly-by, a summit tour, a glacier landing—something for everybody. But there are a few outfitters nearer to the park that fly either from McKinley Park airstrip or the small airfield in Healy, 20 miles north. It's best to take the longest, most detailed tour you can afford, so you don't go back home wishing you'd had a chance to see more.
Tours and Outfitters
K2 Aviation. This company offers a quartet of tour options starting with the Denali Experience ($220 per person) to the high elevation Summit Tour ($345). All tours have the option to include a glacier landing for an extra $90. Talkeetna Airport, 14052 E. 2nd St., Talkeetna, Alaska, 99676. 907/733–2291; 800/764–2291; www.flyk2.com.
Sheldon Air Service. Owned by a family with more than 80 years experience landing on mountains and glaciers, Sheldon runs flightseeing trips and provides flight support to climbers. Tours start at $210 per person with the Mountain House Tour and extend to the Grand Tour that costs $375. Glacier landings are available for an additional $90. 22703 S. Terminal Ave., Talkeetna, Alaska, 99676. 907/733–2321; 800/478–2321; www.sheldonairservice.com.
Talkeetna Air Taxi. Fly with Talkeetna Air Taxi for breathtaking exploration flights close to massive Denali, as well as glacier landings. Options include seeing the Sustitna Valley and Denali's South Face ($220, $320 with glacier landing); the heart of the Alaska Range ($285, $385 with glacier landing); the Grand Denali tour ($335, $435 with a glacier landing); or the Denali summit ($475 and requires the use of oxygen masks). Talkeetna Airport, 14212 E. 2nd St., Talkeetna, Alaska, 99676. 907/733–2218; 800/533–2219; www.talkeetnaair.com.
