Denali National Park Marking National Trails Day With New Hiking Trail

Work will resume June 2 on construction of the new Savage Alpine Trail in Denali National Park. NPS photo.

A new trail is coming to Denali National Park and Preserve, and in honor of National Trails Day the general public is being invited to help with the construction.

The Savage Alpine Trail will run 4.5 miles through forest and across tundra. On National Trails Day, June 2, volunteers are being invited to help park crews build a 150-foot boardwalk.

"This event is a great opportunity to get first hand experience on the challenges of building and maintaining trails in a sub-arctic environment, and to enjoy a beautiful area of the park," says Denali spokeswoman Kris Fister.

The 4.5- mile trail begins in forest and climbs to tundra, and will be accessible from either end by the free park shuttle. It is expected to be completed in 2013.

Volunteers can meet the trail crew at the Mountain Vista Trailhead (rest area) parking lot, located at approximately Mile 13 on the Denali Park Road, at 9 a.m. on June 2. It's suggested you "come prepared for a strenuous, three-mile hike, getting your boots muddy, and about five hours of work. Bring water, lunch, a day pack, and rain gear. The National Park Service will provide tools and safety equipment."

For additional information and to RSVP contact Dan Ostrowski at or 907-683-9557 or Molly McKinley at or 907-378-0564.

The free Savage River shuttle bus is available from the park entrance to the Mountain Vista Trailhead for participants who don’t have a vehicle. The bus leaves the Wilderness Access Center (WAC) at 8:30 a.m. and the Denali Visitor Center (DVC) at 8:40 am en route to the Mountain Vista Trailhead.

Buses return every hour. The complete schedule can be found at this website.