Talkeetna Day Tours

Located 113 miles north of Anchorage, the charming little town of Talkeetna sits at the confluence of three rivers and is the annual staging  base for climbers who attempt to reach the 20,320' summit of  Mount McKinley each summer.    The town has retained the charm of its colorful mining history by utilizing restored mining era cabins as shops, galleries, restaurants and roadhouses.   Some of the best flightseeing trips in Alaska depart from the Talkeetna Airport, with opportunities for glacier landings on Mount McKinley.   There are many other exciting tours available - from Jeep Safari tours to guided riverboat tours, and of course, the sport fishing in the area's lakes and rivers is some of the finest in the state! 

Mckinley flightseeing tours:

These magnificent flights takes you close to the summit of Mount McKinley. As your flight departs Talkeetna, you begin to see how the last ice age has shaped the land. Moments later you enter a world of rugged high mountain peaks and wide glacier filled valleys. Listen as your pilot describes the natural wonders of Denali National Park. See the Sheldon Amphitheater, beautiful Ruth Glacier, and the Great Gorge (the world's deepest - almost 2 miles from top to bottom).   You can add an exciting Glacier Landing to these flights where noted from May 1 - Aug. 1.  (A $10. per person National Park Fee may need to be added for Glacier Landings.)   This basic route (the McKinley Experience) is included in all these flights:

McKinley Experience:
This magnificent flight takes you within six miles of Mt. McKinley's summit. As your flight departs Talkeetna, you see how the last ice age has shaped the land. Then you enter a world of glaciated valleys and rugged mountain peaks. Your pilot will narrate the flight, describing the many natural wonders of Denali National Park. You'll witness the Sheldon Amphitheater, beautiful Ruth Glacier, and the Great Gorge (the world's deepest - almost 2 miles from top to bottom).  Add to this unforgettable experience by putting your footprints in the snow. Land on a glacier beneath Mt. McKinley!
McKinley Experience:  $155.00 per person.  1 hour Flight
With Glacier Landing:  $230.00 per person.  1.5 hour Flight

McKinley Flyer:
Extend your McKinley Experience Tour and fly to the remote western end of Denali national Park. Explore the south side of Mt. McKinley (20,320 feet), Mt. Foraker (17,400 feet) and Mt. Hunter (14,573 feet). Fly over the winding Kahiltna Glacier, the longest glacier in Denali National Park (45 miles long and 3 miles wide), and on to the climber's Base Camp located at 7,200 feet on the southeast fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. Spot for climbers as they traverse the glacier and make their way to the West Buttress (the most popular climbing route). You can add on a Glacier Landing and step out onto an expanse of snow. As you stand among the granite peaks, you will understand the immense scale of the mountains surrounding you.
McKinley Flyer:  $195.00 per person.   1.25 hour Flight
With Glacier Landing:  $270.00 per person.   1.75 hour Flight

Denali Grand Tour
You will talk about this tour forever! This flight will take you completely around Mt. McKinley. Begin with the McKinley Flyer route and see the south side of Mt. McKinley, including the Kahiltna Glacier, McKinley's famous west buttress, Sheldon Amphitheater, Ruth Glacier, and the Great Gorge! Then fly across the divide to see McKinley's incredible Wickersham Wall, a 14,000 foot continuous rise of rock and ice. Many claim this flight is the highlight of their entire Alaska experience.   If you add the Glacier Landing, you will touch down for a landing at the Sheldon Amphitheater. There you can enjoy the stillness of the mountains broken only by the far off rumble of distant rock and ice slides.
Denali Grand Tour:    $225.00 per person.  1.5 hour Flight 
With Glacier Landing added: $230.00 per person.  2 hours Flight

 McKinley Climber/Summit Tour
The most complete and exciting tour of Mt. McKinley is the McKinley Climber Tour. Your oxygen-equipped aircraft will climb to 20,000 feet for a dramatic view of McKinley and Denali National Park. Feel the excitement only a few mountaineers have experienced: the dramatic view as witnessed from North America's highest peak!   Glacier landing not available on this tour.    $250.00 per person. 1.25 hours 

denali day trip:

Why spend the time and travel to Denali by road, when you can experience it by air and land - all in one day!  Relax in the comfort of a twin-engine cabin class aircraft for your 40 minute scenic flight tour to Denali National Park.  Upon landing, you'll transfer 15 minutes to where you'll depart on a fabulous full day wildlife viewing bus trip into the Denali National Park.  This is a great way to see the Mount McKinley from the air and to view the grizzly bears, caribou and moose that reside there from the ground - all in a day!  A boxed lunch is included.  You'll return to Talkeetna in the early in the evening.   7:00am-7:00pm.   Includes roundtrip air transportation, Denali Park bus ticket for wildlife viewing trip and box lunch.  $350.00 per person.

jetboat river safaris:

A fifty-one passenger custom built jetboat will whisk you into the heart of the wilderness in comfort. These are the most technologically advanced river jetboats in Alaska designed to safely navigate rivers that were previously inaccessible. It is glass-domed, environmentally controlled, and has an onboard restroom for your comfort.

McKinley Jetboat Safari:  This exciting 2 hour safari will take you up ten miles of river wilderness where you will have opportunities to view nesting bald eagles, beaver activity, and moose.  Plus you just might see black bear and grizzly bear roaming the shore. Stand in the splendor of Denali and the Alaska Range from a spectacular vantage point on the Susitna River!   You'll also take a naturalist guided, leisurely 1/4 mile nature walk to visit an authentic and originally furnished trapper's cabin.  Wildlife, folklore, artifacts and a panoramic view of Denali in the Alaska Range (weather permitting) combine to make this an unforgettable and unique Alaskan river adventure.   Tour Duration:  2 hours - 10 miles.  Check in 1/2 hour prior. 
Departure Times:  8:45am; 12:00pm; 2:30pm; and 6:30pm. 
$55.00 per adult; $28.00 per child (5 & under).

Deluxe Wilderness Safari:
The trip will take you on three rivers:  the Talkeetna, Chulitna, and Susitna. You will go through the Chulitna River Gorge and experience Class 2 and 3 whitewater.  During the 1/4 mile leisurely nature walk you will visit an authentic trappers cabin with its rustic furnishings and see how they lived in the “Bush” at the turn of the century. You will also visit a replicated native encampment. You will be served a selection of hot beverages (hot chocolate, coffee, and tea) and locally baked chocolate chip cookies.  This trip also includes a stop at an amazingly large uninhabited Beaver Lodge where you will be able to see right inside of the lodge from below the water line.  As you travel sixty miles of river you will have opportunities to view nesting bald eagles, beaver activity, and moose. You just might see black bear or grizzly bear roaming the shore and weather permitting, you'll have a spectacular vantage of Denali and the Alaska Range. Tour Duration:  3.5 hours-60 miles. Check in 1/2 hour prior.  Departure Times: daily at 2:45pm.   $95.00 per adult;  $48.00 per child (5 & under).

Talkeetna Canyon Safari:
Experience high excitement and whitewater with our Talkeetna Canyon Tour!  You will travel 130 miles roundtrip through the entirety of the lower Talkeetna Canyon.  Hold on tight as you ride through class 3 and 4 whitewater! Marvel at the sheer rock walls of the canyon that close in upon you while passing through stretches of river that have been narrowed to 10 yards by these canyon walls! This is a high adventure trip, designed for the hardy adventurer wishing to experience the thrill of the ultimate Alaskan river experience. Please dress warmly and wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes. A boxed lunch is included in this half day adventure. Experience the unforgettable beauty of this vast and remote wilderness on this full day river adventure. Tour Duration: 7 hours - 130 miles.  Check in 1/2 hour prior. 
Departure Time:  930am.  $135.00 per person/ $68.00 per child(5 & under).

talkeetna fishing:

The Talkeetna River is part of the Susitna River drainage system, which boasts the second largest run of migrating fish in the world! This is prime fishing territory for the avid angler, with some of the finest stream fishing in the state of Alaska. From Talkeetna, you can fish for all five species of salmon - King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Chum Salmon, Pink Salmon and Coho Salmon, in addition to Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden and Arctic Grayling.   Experienced guides will take you to some of their favorite fishing holes in 24' and 27' inboard jet boats.  Check the Fishing Calendar below.

Eight and five hour guided fishing charters are available daily. All fishing equipment, tackle, waders, and rain gear are supplied, excluding a fly rod if you're a fly fisherman.   All you need to bring is food and beverages for a wonderful day on our Alaskan waters. The boats are equipped with overhead canopies to protect you from the weather. These boats are specialized boats that allow access to areas areas seldom fished in Alaska. Cruising speed is approximately 35 mph and the boats require only 8 inches of water to operate. This area offers some of the finest fishing found anyplace in the world.  During the charter you will travel to different areas of the river depending on how the fish have been migrating.  Departure times will vary depending on the date and tides.
5 Hour Charter:  $150.00 per person
8 Hour Charter:  $200.00 per person

talkeetna Dog sled kennel tour:

Talkeetna is just 35 miles north of Iditarod headquarters - the sled dog capital of the world.   Many of these world champion mushers and their dog racing teams reside in this area.     You will be introduced to one of these teams at their rustic home.   World Champion sprint musher, Kathleen Holden and Top 20 Iditarod musher Gerald Sousa, will introduce you to the exciting world of sled dog racing!


Tours begin at the little log office in downtown Talkeetna, with a short narrated bus trip, describing the history of Talkeetna and sled dog racing.  You will visit an authentic Alaskan log cabin, meet the dogs, see a demonstration of sled harnessing and mushing preparation.  You'll also learn about the winter training program to get these dogs ready for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, held every year in March.  You can then opt to jump on a custom summer Sled-On-Wheels for a sled dog ride on local trails through some beautiful and peaceful Alaskan scenery. You will also get a chance to hold and play with their future champions, the adorable husky puppies!
Tour Duration:  1.5 hours.       Tour Departures:
9:30am departs Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge;  11:30am returns
10:00am departs Kennel Office at C & Main St.;  11:30am returns
$50.00 per person (Adults and Children)