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Wonder Lake Campground permit

Wonder Lake Gear Checklist

What to carry on Wonder Lake, and why. 1 item is written into the permit rules and 7 more are worth the pack space.

8Total Items
1Required
7To bring

What to bring on Wonder Lake

Specific to this permit, not a generic camping list. One item is written into the permit rules, and every one of those carries the rule it comes from.

  • Required

    A camping stove

    fires are not permitted here

    Permit rule: โ€œFires are not permitted in Wonder Lake Campground; you must use a camping stove to cookโ€

  • Bring

    A tent; this campground takes no vehicles

  • Bring

    A head net for the mosquitoes, which at Wonder Lake are genuinely notorious

  • Bring

    Warm layers

    it is 2,000 feet up and 26 miles from a 20,310-foot mountain

  • Bring

    A long lens for the mountain

  • Bring

    An eye mask; Alaskan summer nights barely get dark

  • Bring

    Rain gear that copes with several days of it

  • Bring

    Patience

    the mountain is out only a fraction of the time

4 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.

Build a shared list

General backcountry gear

Kit we recommend for backcountry trips in general. This is not a checklist specific to Wonder Lake โ€” the Denali National Park rules for this permit are above.

๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Wild Ideas

Bearikade Weekender

Ultralight carbon fiber bear canister. IGBC certified.

1 lb 15 ozultralightcarbon-fiber
$325
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Katadyn

BeFree 1L

Ultralight collapsible filter system.

2 ozultralightfast-flow
$44.95
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
BearVault

BV500 Bear Vault

The most popular bear canister for Sierra backpacking. Fits 7 days of food.

2 lbs 9 oz7-day capacityapproved
$89.95
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Black Diamond

Distance Carbon Z

Lightweight folding carbon poles.

1 lb 1 ozcarbonfolding
$169.95
๐ŸŽ’
Recommended
Sawyer

Sawyer Squeeze

The most popular water filter for backpacking.

3 ozpopularreliable
$37.95

Gear Tips for Wonder Lake

๐Ÿ’ก Pro Tips

  • โ€ขWeigh your pack before you go. A lighter pack makes for a happier hike.
  • โ€ขRent expensive gear if you are trying a new activity for the first time.
  • โ€ขTest all new gear at home before hitting the trail.
  • โ€ขCheck current regulations as some items may be required seasonally.

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