Private Tour Operator in Denali National Park, Alaska
Stampede Excursions is a family owned and operated Alaskan Tour Operator.
Since 2011, Stampede has been shaking up the local travel industry by creating a service-centric experience for our guests. We got our start flying in Alaska with a leased airplane and in 2013, Stampede became a FAA certificated, Alaska-based, Part 135 Air Taxi.
Recognizing the needs of those visiting Denali National Park, our small team reorganized under the Stampede Excursions brand and diversified tour operations. Spring, summer, fall, and winter we connect people, of all backgrounds, with the grandeur of the outdoors through guest-centric activities and experiences.
DENALI NATIONAL PARK TOURS
Denali Aurora Quest
Search the skies for the Northern Lights on a guided 3-hour tour in the Denali area. The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are one of the world’s most spectacular natural phenomenons, and Alaska is one of the best places in the world for viewing.
Denali Self-Guided Jeep Adventure
Avoid busses and crowds by taking the wheel of a Jeep Renegade to explore Denali on your terms! It’s part Jeep rental, part personal tour, and 100% fun! You choose your destination, stop when and where you want, and never feel rushed. The Denali region has one of the most majestic landscapes on Earth—Lush valleys carved during the last Ice Age, tremendous mountains that reach for the sky, glacier-fed whitewater rivers, and world-renown wildlife viewing, creating a synergy that captivates and astonishes around every twist of the road!
Denali ATV Adventure
Experience the beauty of Alaska on a Classic ATV Adventure! This is your chance to explore the backcountry like an Alaskan with stops to take pictures or enjoy the view. With a guide to lead the way, you're have an exciting and unique experience. Don't miss out on this chance to see Alaska as it was meant to be - rough and wild!
Denali Glacier Landing By Helicopter
Take a journey to the most remote regions of North America in this unparalleled helicopter flight. You'll be treated with an eye-catching landscape as you Soar over to millennia old glaciers and experience the wild beauty of our planet!
Denali ATV Adventure with Backcountry
Looking for an adventure you'll never forget? Join us on a Classic ATV Adventure through the Alaskan wilderness! You'll have control of your own journey, so stop and take pictures whenever you want - this is one landscape you're going to want to remember. With towering mountains and pristine forests, Alaska is a nature lover's dream. With our experienced guides, you'll be able to explore it like never before. So come join us for the ride of a lifetime!
BACKCOUNTRY DINING
While the menu may change daily, here is an example of the delicious meal that awaits you in the backcountry:
BREAKFAST
Home Made Pastries and Muffins
Fresh Cut Fruit and Whole Fruit
Fresh Eggs Made to Order
Buttermilk Pancakes
Grandma’s Biscuits and Gravy
Camp Style Breakfast Potatoes
Alaskan Reindeer Sausage
Thick Cut Ham and Bacon
Assorted Cold Cereal
Mimosa, Fresh Hot Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Ice Cold Water, Orange Juice, and Apple Juice.
LUNCH AND DINNER
Corn Bread Muffins
Mixed Fresh Garden Salad
Homemade Potato Salad
Wrangler’s Cole Slaw
Grilled Fresh Corn on the Cob
House Made Alaskan Bison Chili
Grilled Barbecued Chicken
Grilled Fresh Alaskan Salmon
House Marinated Barbecue Ribs
Fresh Berry Dessert
Fresh Hot Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Ice Cold Water, Orange Juice, Apple Juice, White Wine, Red Wine.
Side By Side ATV Adventure
Hop on a Side by Side ATV with a friend and strap in for this exciting backcountry Adventure! This ATV is a two passenger machine and is great for couples or parents with children. The ATV is equipped with seat belts and a windshield.
We will pick you up at your hotel and drive you approximately 10-15 miles (depending on your hotel location) to the North Side of Denali National Park near Otto Lake.
Ultimate Denali Rafting Run
Enjoy the best of both worlds! After experiencing breathtaking views of the Scenic Wave section, continue downstream and raft through action-packed rapids on the Canyon Wave section, for a total of 22 miles. We recommend this trip for parties of 8 or more who want an all-day adventure.
Canyon Whitewater Raft Run
Hang on! It’s whitewater ahead! On the Canyon Wave Raft Tour, you’ll journey through 11 miles of awesome rapids on the Nenana River with spectacular views of Denali National Park gems, like Mount Healy and Sugarloaf Mountain. Join the team as a Paddle Rafter or play it cool and be an Oar Boat Rider — whatever floats your boat. Get into real whitewater rafting as you hang on through thrilling rapids such as “Razorback”, “Coffee Grinder”, and “Ice Worm”!
Denali Scenic Raft Run
Enjoy a gorgeous tour along the natural boundary of Denali National Park. On the Wilderness Wave Raft Tour, you’ll glide through 11 miles of glacially carved valleys and amazing vistas with panoramic views of Mount Fellows and the Nenana Canyon. Although you’ll encounter the occasional rapid, this option is mellow enough for the whole family. The most scenic portion of the Nenana River gives you thrilling, and enjoyable rafting.
Denali Backcountry Safari
You and a small group of fellow adventurers will ride aboard a rugged 6-wheel drive army truck on a spectacular off-road journey into Denali’s backcountry. Your adventure begins near the entrance to Denali National Park where you meet your driver-guide and head deep into the Alaskan bush.
Arctic Circle Adventure From Fairbanks
Fly north from Healy and wonder at the story of the vast and remote land below... the traditional peoples that continue to sustain their lifestyles and cultures in the expansive Yukon River Valley as they have for thousands of years... the gold mining activity that continues nearly 100 years after the yellow metal first brought newcomers rushing north... the Trans Alaska Pipeline symbolizing the immense changes brought to Alaska's Arctic by the discovery of oil just over 30 years ago.
Ultimate Alaska Flightseeing Tour
This is the only flight tour we offer from October 1st – April 30th. This winter tour explores the Southside of the Alaska Range.
Your pilot will be your guide and customize your tour based on weather conditions for the day.
Denali Air Adventure From Fairbanks
-Fly south from Fairbanks and wonder at the vast and remote land below.
-Experience the majestic Alaska Mountain Range.
-Thrill at the excitement of witnessing firsthand Denali, North America's tallest mountain, by air.
-Departs 12:00 pm; returns between 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm
-Tour Schedule (winter season): October - April. Minimum total of 4 required for a departure.
Alaska Glacier Flightseeing Tour
A robust introduction to Denali and the Alaska Range. Follow the river systems of Talkeetna across the Susitna Valley into an incredible landscape of icefalls, glaciers, and snowy peaks.
See the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier, mile-high granite walls filled with a 4,000-foot thick river of ice, and the deepest canyon in North America
View the Don Sheldon amphitheater
Stunning snow-capped peaks
Intense blue meltwater pools
Cascading icefalls
Scenic Highlights: Denali, Great Gorge of Ruth Glacier, Don Sheldon Amphitheater.
Child rate valid for children under age 10.
Offered year-round. After September 15th, there is a 2 passenger minimum.
*There is an 8% tax on this flightseeing tour.
Tundra Golf
We'll pick you up at one of our scheduled times. Tee times are available all day. The course runs about 3.5 hours but if you want to take your time, no problem. We'll pick you up after and bring you home. All golfing essentials are provided such as round trip transportation to and from your hotel, unlimited greens fee, club rentals, a pull or power, a souvenir Logo Ball, tees, Scorecard, and 6 golf balls to play the course!
Personal Draft Horse Encounter
Join us for a one-on-one encounter with our gentle giants! You will get a private experience with your group learning all about our draft horses. Your group will have the opportunity to feed, brush, and meet our draft horses. You will then get to watch a demonstration of how our teamsters gear and hitch up our horses to get ready for a covered wagon ride.
Draft Horse Drawn Covered Wagon
To get a real sense of old-time Alaska, travel like the original pioneers did-by horse-drawn wagon. Climb onto a covered wagon for an adventure and you’ll be in for a trip through time. While guides fill you in on the area’s history and natural treasurer, you’ll be pulled through the Alaskan tundra with the mountains of nearby Denali National Park hovering overhead. Join us for an exciting, yet relaxing, journey into the wilds of Alaska. Our custom-built Covered Wagon Ride is pulled by two beautiful Draft horses.
Why choose us?
We are committed to providing personalized service, giving great chances to see Denali from both land and air, paying attention to details, striving for excellence, and having high safety standards.
High Safety Standards
We have always prioritized the cleanliness and safety of our vehicles and facilities. Our team has implemented additional measures to ensure that our methods for cleaning and disinfecting our facilities and vehicles adhere to the guidelines and recommendations of health authorities. Our team has successfully completed CPR and First Aid training.
Knowledgeable Guides
Our guides are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and well-versed in Alaska's history and culture. To make the tour more enjoyable and interesting, they will entertain you with narratives about the trails and the surrounding areas.
Personalized Tours
We make sure that our tours, whether they are on land, water, or in the air, are tailored to your ideal excursion. If you are unable to locate what it is that you are searching for on our website, our Team is delighted to help you.
Words from our guests
Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska
Denali National Park is one of the world's largest and most famous national parks. It has the tallest peak in the United States, and clouds often cover it. It is a must-see for visitors to Alaska. Seeing the tallest mountain in North America and exploring the rugged backcountry of Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will never forget. Denali has it all: wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and great moments. Hiking trails, helicopter rides to glaciers, exploring National Geographic Traveler's #2 Drive of a Lifetime along the Denali Highway in a Jeep, and riding the vintage, iconic Alaska Railroad are just a few of the many activities available.
Frequently asked questions
All tours require payment in full at time of booking. Unless otherwise specified in product-specific terms and conditions, you may cancel or change your reservation up to 7 days prior and receive a full refund, minus an administrative fee. Cancellations or changes received within 7 days of departure are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance for unforeseen circumstances that may cause last-minute cancellations. If you made your reservation through a 3rd party travel service, Stampede Excursions may not be able to assist in your modification. Changes and cancellations to 3rd party reservations must be requested by the 3rd party. If you are on a cruise ship, the onboard Shore Excursion Office cannot assist with refunds/adjustments. For assistance with cancellations, please call Stampede Excursions at 1-800-604-5052, or for last-minute cancellations, contact the local number on your tour voucher. All refunds will be issued to the original form of payment.
In the event of trip cancellation or delay, Stampede Excursions and its partners are not responsible for additional expenses incurred by guests, such as but not limited to, penalties incurred through the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets, passport/visa fees, or other travel expenses.
Unless otherwise specified in product-specific terms and conditions, an administrative fee of 25% of the total booking cost including taxes and fees applies to all cancellations. For changes, an administrative fee of $25 per guest for land-based tours and $50 per guest for flight tours apply, unless otherwise specified in product-specific terms and conditions.
For the courtesy and safety of all our guests, the use of tobacco products, including but not limited to, cigarettes, “spit tobacco,” or e-cigarettes, and the consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted in vehicles, on tours, or on Stampede Excursions property.
We use a variety of booking statuses to help provide the highest level of service. One booking status we use is Pending. When an order is received that requires additional review or manual resource allocation. Fear not, our Tour Experts are working to get everything in order for your arrival and we will follow up via email or text if we encounter a situation that needs additional information. In this state, your booking is in the process of final confirmation and you may not modify or cancel the order. It may be fully confirmed at any point up to the day of your tour. If you have any questions about the status of your booking, reach out to our team via email or send us a text!
We use a variety of booking statuses to help provide the highest level of service. One booking status we use is Waitlist. Your booking may be marked "Waitlist" when you have been waitlisted for a specific tour time. This can occur for numerous reasons. The most common is there are not enough spaces available on the selected tour time for your group. Another time this can happen is when taking advantage of our Denali Aurora Quest standby policy. There are other situations that may encounter the waitlist status as well. If you are on the waitlist due to space constraints, your booking may be confirmed at any point. If it is confirmed you will receive an email notifying you that the order is now confirmed. If you have any questions about the status of your booking or wish to be removed from the waitlist, reach out to our team via email or send us a text!
For all flights, children requiring a car seat must ride in a Federal Aviation Administration approved car seat.
While on our shuttle vans and all landbased tours, please refer to the Alaska State Car Seat and Seatbelt Laws. For the safety of our guests, no child will be transported without the required car seat. Our policy on guest minimum age can be found by clicking here.