Access to the Kantishna Hills
For decades, it was possible to travel 89 miles by bus deep into the heart of Denali National Park to the historic mining town of Kantishna. Visitors could explore the beauty of Wonder Lake and hike the hills of the former mining town, and the more adventurous guests could camp at the Wonder Lake Campground. Travelers lucky enough to have secured rooms at one of the remote lodges in Kantishna also traveled by bus to their destinations. However, in August of 2021, the Pretty Rocks Landslide occurred and road travel beyond mile 45 was prohibited. Since then, access to the historic mining district has been restricted to aircraft only.
If you’re interested in exploring Kantishna, Denali Air can take you there!
Kantishna Fly-In Day Trip
Spend the day in the historic Kantishna hills
A Day in the Backcountry
A day of adventure including a flightseeing tour of Denali National Park, lunch at the Kantishna Roadhouse, sightseeing, guided nature hike (optional), gold panning and a stop at Wonder Lake.
Kantishna Charters
Fly to Kantishna for remote adventure in Denali.
Remote Adventure
Explore Denali’s wilderness with our air taxi charter. Independent adventure awaits!
Lodge Flights
Air Taxi for Kantishna lodge guests
An unforgettable air taxi adventure
Experience a flightseeing tour of Denali National Park on your way to the lodge.
Spend the day in the historic Kantishna hills.
Kantishna Fly-In Day Trip
The trip starts with a 35-minute flightseeing tour in a Cessna 206 single-engine plane to Kantishna. Upon landing, the staff of the Kantishna Roadhouse Lodge will greet guests. After a quick shuttle ride, guests arrive at the Roadhouse to enjoy a light lunch of a chef-inspired meal and have opportunities to explore the area, leaving it up to guests to decide the “strenuousness” of their adventures. Finally, the day ends with a flight out to the National Park entrance.
| Cost: |
Ages 5 & up: $840
|
| Flight Departure Time: | 9:15 am |
| Return Time: | 4:15 pm |
- 4-person minimum per flight departure. Guests may purchase additional seats to ensure the tour.
- Offered June 4 – September 14 on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. No tours on Mondays or Fridays.
- This tour is headset-equipped and fully narrated.
Tour Highlights
Stunning Views of the Alaska Range
Take in the awe-inspiring Denali landscape, including snow capped mountains, green tundra, Polychrome Mountains, tumbling glaciers, and braided rivers
A Unique Experience in the Denali Backcountry
Enjoy the Denali wilderness while treating yourself to the comfortable amenities of the historic Kantishna Roadhouse
Kantishna Gold Mining District
Explore a piece of Alaska’s gold rush history and try your hand at gold panning
Alaskan Wildlife
Opportunity to possibly spot wildlife on the flightseeing tour and in Kantishna with the Naturalist Guide.
Independent Access
Air Taxi Charter Services
Denali – Kantishna: We provide air taxi charter service for those guests looking for the ultimate backcountry experience. As there are no services in the Kantishna area, guests must be comfortable adventuring on their own, completely independent. Park permits must be obtained through NPS.
| Cost: |
Up to 4 passengers
|
| Round-trip: | $2100 direct flight |
| Add on: Flyby Denali on westbound flight | $262.5 additional |
An Unforgettable Air Taxi
Kantishna Lodge Guests
In 2021, we partnered with Camp Denali and Kantishna Roadhouse to provide air taxi services to their guests. For an authentic Alaskan experience, guests will board a Cessna 206 single-engine airplane to experience a flightseeing tour of Denali National Park. Weather permitting the flight will also include a fly-by of Denali. At the end of their stay, guests will experience a direct return flight to the entrance of Denali National Park.
Book Kantishna Roadhouse HereBook Camp Denali HereImportant Information
RESTRICTED ITEMS: As you are packing for your backcountry experience, please review the list below to see what items are not allowed in carry-on or checked luggage.
Denali Air, Inc. is a Will Not Carry carrier as outlined in our OPSPEC. Hazardous materials include, without limitation, any type of explosives, corrosives, poisons, flammable gases, liquids or solids, nonflammable compressed gases, radioactive materials, magnetized materials and oxidizing agents.
For the most complete list of hazardous materials, please visit FAA PackSafe. The following items are examples of hazardous materials or dangerous goods and are not allowed in checked or carried-on bags.
- Bear Spray
- Camp Fuel/liquid fuels
- CO2 cartridges (except those in self-inflating life vests)
- Dry ice
- Explosives
- Fireworks
- Flares
- Gas torches
- Lighter fluid
Lodge guests:
Please refer to your lodge’s specific baggage guidelines. Luggage will be limited to 25 lbs per passenger.
Kantishna Fly-In Day Trip guests:
Each guest is allowed one small backpack limited to 10 lbs. Plan to bring any personal items such as a camera, wallet, medication, and toiletries. Kantishna Roadhouse will have rain jackets and pants, hiking poles, insect repellent, bear spray, water bottles and binoculars available for use.
DEPARTURE TO KANTISHNA: Flights depart from Denali Air’s private airstrip, located 8 miles south of the road entrance to Denali National Park.
AIRCRAFT: Our fleet consists of Cessna 206 single-engine planes.
For guests looking for an overnight stay in Kantishna, please contact one of the backcountry lodges: Camp Denali, Kantishna Roadhouse Backcountry Lodge or Denali Backcountry Lodge
For guests looking to experience the Kantishna Fly-In Day trip, please contact click here.
For guests looking for charter services, please contact Denali Air
