Denali Mountaineer Adventure

The Base Camp Tour offers an unforgettable flightseeing adventure over the heart of Denali National Park. Passengers are treated to up-close views of Mount Hunter, the vast Kahiltna Glacier—the largest glacier in the Alaska Range—and the Kahiltna "Base Camp," where most climbers of Mt. McKinley begin their ascent at 7,200 feet. Departing from Talkeetna, the flight travels over expansive river and forest landscapes teeming with Alaska’s wildlife, including black bears and moose, while occasional lodges dot the shores of remote lakes. Along the way, the route passes Little Switzerland, a striking section of the Alaska Range known for its steep, rocky peaks reminiscent of the European Alps and favored by seasoned climbers. The journey continues over the Kahiltna Glacier, with the option to request a landing on the Ruth Glacier for an extraordinary perspective of the surrounding mountains. The route also takes passengers through a scenic pass to the Don Sheldon Amphitheater, where peaks like Mooses Tooth, Bear Tooth, and Broken Tooth rise dramatically.

As the flight returns to Talkeetna, passengers are treated to breathtaking views of the Ruth Gorge, sometimes called the Great Gorge, plunging a mile deep in sections with the rugged Ruth Glacier at its base and vivid pools of blue glacier meltwater. During the Denali climbing season, Sheldon pilots transport climbing teams to and from the base camp regardless of weather, ensuring a glimpse of climbers in action. The return journey also passes the Tokositna River region at the foot of the Alaska Range, offering another opportunity to spot moose and bears in their natural habitat. This well-loved flightseeing tour combines awe-inspiring mountain vistas, glacial landscapes, and Alaska’s abundant wildlife into an unforgettable aerial experience.