Denali Education Center

Denali is one of the most celebrated places in Alaska, and protecting the pristine wilderness for future generations is the mission of the Denali Education Center. By partnering with the National Park Service, the Denali Education Center works with local communities and tourists to the area in order to educate and build lasting connections with the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness.

About the Denali Education Center

The Denali Education Center is located on 10 acres across the Nenana River from Denali National Park. With its beautiful setting, it draws thousands of visitors every year to the campus, which is open from mid-May to mid-September. Offering informative and exciting programs, along with learning vacations and special events, Denali Education Center works to create future stewards of the land.

Visiting the Denali Education Center

If Alaskan wildlife and the rugged wilderness are what draws you to the state, you won’t find a better opportunity to learn about preserving and experiencing the region than at the Denali Education Center. In addition to their learning vacations, visitors can take 45-minute educational programs or one of the half- or full-day hikes that begin at the Center daily.

History

Known as the Denali Foundation prior to 2007, the Denali Education Center has been open as a non-profit and educational partner of Denali National Park since 1989. A collaborative vision, the center was created to further Denali research and serve as a gathering place for locals, researchers, and visitors to learn about and appreciate the unique landscape of the region.

Interesting Facts

The natural scenery around the Denali Education Center is enough of a reason to stop and visit, but there’s also plenty to see and do once you arrive. With a variety of activities and opportunities for those that want to learn more about Alaska’s delicate ecosystems, Denali Education Center offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

• Denali Education Center merged with Northern Susitna Institute in 2020 to expand their campus facilities and outreach programs to Talkeetna by summer of 2021.
• The Road Scholar program offered by the center is a residential program that brings together people from around the world for a week of exploring the Denali region.
• Place-based learning vacations are a big draw at the Denali Education Center, and they’re popular for anyone hoping to experience Alaska through a unique lens.
• In the last 29 years, the Denali Education Center has had more than 18,000 participants in their learning vacation programs, and around 400 people attend every summer.
• A large lecture hall, called The Sheldon Center, serves as the center gathering spot for visitors at the Denali Education Center, and it took more than 4,000 volunteer hours to build.

Points of Interest

As the crown jewel of Alaska, Denali sits at the center of conservation efforts and research in the state. Offering some of the most incredible Alaskan views and a rare perspective on preserving and maintaining the Denali region, the Denali Education Center is a fascinating stop on your visit to the Denali National Park and Preserve.