Denali National Park Photography Workshop
The road is open. And we’re going in.
After years of restricted access, the Denali Park Road is open again — all the way to the western end of the park. And in September 2027, we’re driving it.
Denali is a hard park to photograph well. The shuttle bus system that most visitors rely on moves on a schedule, stops briefly, and keeps going. You get what you get. That’s not how we work.
This is one of the most remarkable wildlife and landscape photography opportunities in North America. We’ll spend four nights at Camp Denali, located deep inside Denali National Park, with daily access to the park road and vehicles driven by Camp’s expert naturalist guides. Moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall Sheep, and one of the most dramatic mountain landscapes on earth.
This is a rare trip in a remarkable place, and 2027 — the first season the road has been fully open in years — is the year to go. With the road open we’re driving in rather than flying, which brings the price down $1,500 from what past participants paid. It’s the best value I’ve ever offered for this trip.
$8,900 per person double occupancy / $9,400 single $500 deposit secures your space
Dates
September 5-11, 2027
$8900 USD, double occupancy. ($500 single supplement)
Denali Photography Workshop - Trip Overview
Arrival and Drive to Camp Denali
We’ll meet in Fairbanks on the first evening for a group dinner — a chance to get acquainted, talk through the days ahead, and get a good night’s sleep before heading south into one of the great wild places on earth.
It’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Fairbanks to the Denali National Park entrance, and we’ll take our time on the way — stopping when the light is good and the landscape demands it. From the entrance, we drive the newly reopened park road west into the heart of the park, watching the mountains grow as we go. Our trip is timed to coincide with peak autumn color, and the Alaska Range in September is extraordinary — scarlet, gold, and orange rolling away in every direction toward peaks that seem impossibly large.
Settling In: Camp Denali
Camp Denali sits at the western end of the park in Kantishna, and there is no better base for serious wildlife and landscape photography in Alaska. The lodge’s guest cabins are strung along an ascending ridgeline, each with commanding views of Denali and the surrounding peaks of the Alaska Range. Cabins are well-appointed in traditional Alaskan style — wood stove for heat, hand-crafted quilts, Alaskan artwork — and the dining hall, anchors the property above historic Nugget Pond, which frames the eleven major summits of the Alaska Range in a single view.
The food is outstanding, featuring local Alaska specialties and produce grown in Camp’s own greenhouses. Each evening brings a presentation from a Camp naturalist or from me, before we head back to our wood-stove heated cabins for the night.
Photography on the Park Road
After breakfast each morning we load into a van with one of Camp Denali’s expert naturalist guides and head out on the park road. This is where the trip earns its reputation. Most Denali visitors are at the mercy of the shuttle bus system — moving on a schedule, stopping briefly, keeping going. We don’t operate that way. We stop when the light is right, stay with wildlife as long as it’s worth staying, and go where the day takes us.
Bull moose, caribou, grizzly bears, and Dall sheep are all realistic targets. Wolves make an appearance when we’re lucky. And then there’s Denali itself — 20,320 feet, the tallest mountain in North America, and when it comes out from behind the clouds it simply stops you in your tracks. The moody, ever-changing weather of the Alaska Range is a photographic asset as much as a challenge, providing the kind of light and drama that makes for genuinely unique images.
At least one morning we’ll make an early push for a classic Denali summit viewpoint at sunrise. Some images don’t get old. This is one of them.
Join me!
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Fairbanks, Alaska. Night at Pikes Waterfront Lodge. Group dinner.
Day 2
Transfer to the Denali National Park entrance area (2 1/2 hours) where we will board Camp Denali’s private buses for the scenic drive to Camp Denali. Camp orientation upon arrival.
Day 3 – 5
Photography in Denali National Park!
Day 6
Transfer from Camp Denali to the park entrance area, night in a local hotel.
Day 7
Explore the eastern end of Denali Park and return to Fairbanks by early afternoon.
- All lodging
- Ground Transportation
- Meals and Snacks
- Guide Services
- Photography Instruction
- Assistance with other reservations
- Airfare to and from Fairbanks, Alaska
- Post-trip hotel in Fairbanks
- Alcoholic or specialty drinks
- Tips for Camp Denali Staff and Photography Guide
Cost
2027: $8900 Double / $9400 Single
While physical demands are not high on this trip, you do need to be able to hike a couple of miles over rough tundra, rocks, and gravel. You don’t need to be an athlete, but good physical condition will greatly improve your enjoyment of the trip.
Long days too, are the norm, and we may be away from the lodge for up to 10 hours if the day’s photography is excellent.
$500 Deposit to Secure Your Space:
Are there luggage weight limits?
No! But please keep your packing to a minimum. Camp Denali provides many items for hiking such as poles, gaiters, even packs and waterproof boots. Please reach out to me if you have questions.
Will we get to photograph wildlife in Denali National Park?
Yes! The western portion of the park is one of the best areas for wildlife. Bull moose are frequently seen close to the road in this area, as are caribou (including large bulls), and grizzly bears. Wolves are less commonly seen, but definitely a possibility. Birds like Willow Ptarmigan, Spruce Grouse, and large flocks of Sandhill Cranes are likely.
What camera equipment should I bring to photograph in Denali?
You’ll want a range of focal lengths from a wide angle for landscapes to a good telephoto for wildlife. I usually bring 3 lenses. A wide angle, a mid-range zoom, a long telephoto, and two camera bodies. (When you book, I’ll supply you with a complete packing list and be happy to answer questions!)
What will the weather be like in Denali?
Weather in Denali in early September is highly variable. Sunny days with temps into the 60s (F), periods of rain, and even some snow are all possible. Dress in layers and never assume you know what the day will bring! It changes quickly.
When do I need to arrive and depart for the trip?
You’ll need to be in Fairbanks by by the afternoon on the first day of the trip. We should be back in Fairbanks by mid-afternoon on the final day, in plenty of time for evening flights home.
Will there be photography instruction?
Yes! I’m around during all of our explorations and am always available to provide guidance, answer questions, and help you make the most of your trip. We will also have group discussions and potential critique and post-processing sessions if time allows.
Denali National Park
