South Denali and Talkeetna Visitor Guide

South Denali is Your Base Camp and Beyond

Some of the most picturesque views of 20,310-foot Denali and the entire Alaska Range are from the base camp near Talkeetna. South Denali serves as a mountaineer’s paradise, offering something for all visitor experience levels. Charming Talkeetna is also located at the confluence of the Susitna, Chulitna, and Talkeetna Rivers, making it the prime spot for kayaking, river rafting, fishing, hiking, and jet boating. Read through our visitor guide to experience the best of Talkeetna and South Denali.

Points of Interest

  • Byers Lake
  • Chulitna Canyon
  • Chulitna River
  • Denali State Park
  • Susitna River
  • Talkeetna
  • Talkeetna Rail Depot
  • Talkeetna River

Activities

  • ATVing / UTVing
  • Boating
  • Dog sledding
  • Fishing
  • Glacier landing
  • Gold panning
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Mountain viewing
  • Rafting
  • Zipline

Photo Gallery

Stunning Denali with trees and fog in the foreground

The South Denali area boast some of the best views of the 20,310-foot mountain in the state.

Quirky storefront in Talkeetna

The charming and quirky town of Talkeetna offers a mix of outdoor adventures and Alaskan history.

Blue raft full of visitors paddling in the river

The nearby Susitna, Chulitna and Talkeetna Rivers provide opportunities for rafting, fishing, kayaking, and jet boating.

Two kayaks in Byers Lake on a clear day

Kayakers on peaceful Byers Lake may see trumpeter swans, loons, beavers, and perhaps an eagle soaring overhead.

View from above of a lake and hills of Denali State Park

Denali State Park is situated between the Talkeetna Mountains and the great Alaska Range.

Stunning peaks of the Alaska range jutting out above trees

The two summits of Denali as seen from the deck at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.

Destination Map

map displaying the tour area

Tours That Feature South Denali / Talkeetna

Blue Anchorage / Talkeetna / Anchorage Rail Tour - 71E 2 Days / 1 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $439.00
Blue Anchorage / Talkeetna / Talkeetna / Anchorage Rail Tour - 72E 3 Days / 2 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $549.00
Blue Anchorage / Talkeetna / Denali / Anchorage Rail Tour - 72G 3 Days / 2 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $799.00
Blue Anchorage / Denali / Talkeetna / Anchorage Rail Tour - 72H 3 Days / 2 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $799.00
Blue Anchorage / Talkeetna / Denali / Fairbanks Rail Tour - 72I 3 Days / 2 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $749.00
Blue Fairbanks / Denali / Talkeetna / Anchorage Rail Tour - 72J 3 Days / 2 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $749.00
Blue Anchorage / Denali / Denali / Talkeetna / Anchorage Rail Tour - 73A 4 Days / 3 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,049.00
Blue Anchorage / Talkeetna / Denali / Denali / Anchorage Rail Tour - 73B 4 Days / 3 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,049.00
Blue Anchorage / Denali / Denali / Talkeetna / Talkeetna / Anchorage Rail Tour - 74A 5 Days / 4 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,149.00
Blue Anchorage / Talkeetna / Talkeetna / Denali / Denali / Anchorage Rail Tour - 74B 5 Days / 4 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,149.00
Yellow Anchorage / Talkeetna / Denali / Anchorage Rail Tour - 94G 5 Days / 4 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,149.00
Yellow Anchorage / Denali / Talkeetna / Anchorage Rail Tour - 94H 5 Days / 4 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,149.00
Yellow Anchorage / Talkeetna / Denali / Fairbanks Rail Tour - 94I 5 Days / 4 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,099.00
Yellow Fairbanks / Denali / Talkeetna / Anchorage Rail Tour - 94J 5 Days / 4 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,099.00
Denali - Talkeetna Explorer - Northbound - 3TN 7 Days / 6 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $600 per couple: $1,649.00 Value Rate: $1,949.00 Save $600 per couple: $1,749.00 Peak Rate: $2,049.00
Denali - Talkeetna Explorer - Southbound - 3TS 7 Days / 6 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $600 per couple: $1,649.00 Value Rate: $1,949.00 Save $600 per couple: $1,749.00 Peak Rate: $2,049.00
Alaska By Car - 1CC 8 Days / 7 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $600 per couple: $1,699.00 Value Rate: $1,999.00 Save $600 per couple: $1,999.00 Peak Rate: $2,299.00
Escorted Great Land - 6FS 8 Days / 7 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $600 per couple: $2,699.00 Peak Rate: $2,999.00
Alaska National Parks Self-Drive - 1CA 9 Days / 8 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $600 per couple: $1,699.00 Value Rate: $1,999.00 Save $600 per couple: $1,899.00 Peak Rate: $2,199.00

Featured Sightseeing Excursions

Talkeetna River Float Trip

Enjoy an eco-friendly scenic float trip down the Talkeetna River. Meet with your guide for a brief safety lecture before launching and floating down six miles of pristine river. Your expert guide will take care of the rowing so all you have to do is relax and enjoy the ride!…
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Read More About South Denali / Talkeetna

Top Free Things to do in Talkeetna…According to the Locals

Alaska has more than its fair share of small, eclectic towns but Talkeetna, roughly a two-hour drive north of Anchorage and a stop on many Gray Line Alaska tours, delivers something more. There is a rural yet worldly vibe to this community; one that perhaps can be explained by the town’s…
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Denali Rail Tours combine independent travel with comfort, luxury

Don’t let the word “tour” in Gray Line Alaska’s Denali Rail Tours fool you. The only pre-planned aspects of the multi-day Denali train tours is the transportation to and from Denali National Park and Preserve from one of several Alaska destinations and the lodging. The rest is…
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