Denali Summit Permit
Special use permit for climbing Denali (Mt. McKinley), North America's highest peak. Registration required 60 days in advance with mandatory in-person orientation at Talkeetna Ranger Station.
“One of America's most sought-after wilderness permits.”
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Be notified instantly when Denali permits become available due to cancellations.
Get Availability Alerts
Be notified instantly when Denali permits become available.
Denali Quick Facts
Key Information
Key Dates
Permit Details
Pro Tips
- •Book your orientation slot well in advance during peak season
- •Budget 17-21 days minimum for the West Buttress route
- •Practice crevasse rescue techniques before your trip
- •Fly into Kahiltna Base Camp - the ski-plane landing is part of the experience
What to Expect
Highlights
- •17-21 day expedition for West Buttress route
- •Glacier travel with crevasse hazards throughout
- •Extreme cold (-40°F common)
- •High altitude requiring extensive acclimatization
- •Self-supported climbing (carry all gear)
Best Time to Visit
May through early July offers the best weather window, with 24-hour daylight and relatively stable conditions.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Extreme cold and wind
- !Crevasse falls
- !Altitude sickness
- !Weather-related delays
- !Avalanche on certain routes
Summit Information
Denali
Climbing RoutesClick for details
Base Camp
Technical Gear Required
How to Get This Permit
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
When to Go
Conditions
Primary climbing season begins. Extreme cold but stable weather windows.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Stable weather windows
- +Firm snow
- +Longer daylight increasing
Challenges
- !Extreme cold
- !Requires full expedition setup
- !Long approach
Difficulty Assessment
Fitness and endurance required
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Route finding and trail clarity
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Experienced high-altitude mountaineers with previous 14,000+ ft summits.
Recommended Experience
Multiple 14er summits required. High-altitude experience and acclimatization knowledge essential.
Not Recommended For
Those without high-altitude experience. Altitude sickness is a serious risk above 10,000 ft.
About This Permit
Denali is North America's highest peak and one of the Seven Summits. Due to its high latitude, it's the coldest of the Seven Summits with temperatures regularly dropping to -40°F. The mountain is known for sudden, severe weather that can pin teams down for days.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Denali is among the most competitive permits in Denali. Thousands attempt to get permits each season, and success requires planning, persistence, and often a bit of luck. The permit system exists because this destination is genuinely special.
Rules & Regulations
- •Registration 60 days in advance required
- •Mandatory in-person orientation at Talkeetna
- •All human waste must be deposited in crevasses at designated locations
- •Clean Mountain Cans required
Gear Checklist
Required
- Expedition-grade tent
- Cold-rated sleeping bag (-40°F)
- Full glacier travel kit
- Sled for gear hauling
Key Landmarks
Safety & Planning
Emergency Info
Download the PermitSnag app for offline access to emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Denali.
Food Storage
Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.
🏔️Mountaineering Resources
Guide Services
Guides recommended for first-time climbers. Find authorized guide services.
Authorized guide services:
- • Check with ranger station for current list
- • Verify NPS/USFS authorization
Gear Rentals
Don't own technical gear? Find rental shops near the trailhead.
Required gear you can rent:
Route Conditions
Real-time route status, snow levels, and climbing conditions.
Current conditions include:
- • Route status (open/closed/caution)
- • Snow level elevation
- • Crevasse and glacier conditions
- • Recent trip reports
Avalanche Forecast
Check avalanche conditions before winter and spring climbs.
Avalanche info includes:
- • Current danger level
- • Avalanche problems (wind slab, persistent slab)
- • Travel advice
- • Links to regional avalanche centers
Acclimatization Schedule
This climb requires 17+ days for proper acclimatization.
Rushing altitude acclimatization is the leading cause of summit failure.
Summit Success
50-55%
summit success rate
Based on ~1,200 annual attempts
Denali FAQ
How do I get a Denali climbing permit?
Pay the $450 mountaineering fee on Pay.gov, submit the Special Use Permit application, then schedule a mandatory in-person orientation at Talkeetna Ranger Station. Registration must be completed 60 days before your climb.
What is the success rate for climbing Denali?
Approximately 50-55% of climbers who attempt Denali reach the summit. Weather and altitude are the primary factors that turn climbers back.
Do I need a guide for Denali?
A guide is not required but is highly recommended, especially for first-time expeditionary mountaineers. About half of climbers use guided services.
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Golden hour at Denali offers the best photography conditions with warm, directional light.
Best Light
Early morning typically provides the clearest conditions and best light quality.
Beat the Crowds
Weekdays and early mornings see fewer visitors for cleaner compositions.
Classic Shots
- 📍Classic view of Denali
- 📍Denali scenery
- 📍Trail or route documentation