Guided Alaska Backpacking Trips

Fully outfitted wilderness expeditions into Alaska’s most remote national parks – since 1998.

Since 1998, Alaska Alpine Adventures has pioneered fully guided backpacking expeditions into the most remote corners of Alaska’s national parks and wildlife refuges. National Geographic recognized us as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth. For nearly three decades, we’ve refined what guided Alaska backpacking trips can be. In addition, our routes venture deep into Lake Clark National Park, Gates of the Arctic, Denali, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Wrangell-St. Elias, Katmai, and Aniakchak – destinations reachable only by floatplane, traveled only on foot.

First, we cap groups at 8 guests. Lead guides hold Wilderness First Responder certification. And we handle every detail – flights, food, gear, campsites. You show up. We take care of the rest.

Early booking strongly recommended. Many of our guided Alaska backpacking trips fill months – and often full seasons – in advance. If you have a specific park or travel window in mind, reserve early.

Why Choose Our Guided Alaska Backpacking Trips

28 Years of Pioneering Experience

Specifically, Alaska Alpine Adventures founder Dan Oberlatz has been guiding in Alaska’s wilderness since 1998. He’s an Explorers Club member, and he pioneered the Turquoise Glacier High Route in Lake Clark National Park in 2006. Over the years, our team has guided hundreds of backcountry expeditions across every major park unit in the state.

When you travel with us, you travel with people who know this landscape intimately. Not from guidebooks. From decades of boots-on-ground route-finding in Alaska’s backcountry.

Floatplane Access Nobody Else Can Match

Alaska’s most spectacular backpacking terrain is only reachable by bush plane. As a result, over 25 years we’ve built lasting partnerships with more than 14 premier air taxi services. The list includes Lake Clark Air, Brooks Range Aviation, Golden Eagle Outfitters, and Rust’s Flying Service.

These relationships mean reliable access, flexibility when weather shifts, and logistics that feel seamless rather than stressful.

Small Groups. Expert Guides. Real Attention

Importantly, we cap every Alaska backpacking trip at 8 guests, with a 4:1 guest-to-guide ratio. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge expeditions cap at 5. Our guides are not seasonal hires. They’re experienced outdoor professionals with wilderness medicine credentials. They know Alaska’s terrain, wildlife, and weather. For more on the team, browse our guide team at /guides/.

All-Inclusive. Genuinely

For example, floatplane transport, technical gear, backcountry food, pre-trip lodging coordination – it’s all included. In addition, camp meals are hearty, hot, and thoughtfully planned: real cooking on backcountry stoves, well beyond freeze-dried fare. You focus on the experience. We handle the logistics.

Built for Your Level

However, not every Alaska backpacking trip requires elite fitness. Our guided Alaska backpacking trips span Intensity Levels 2 through 3. Level 2 means accessible tundra traverses with moderate elevation gain. Level 3 means demanding multi-day high routes with significant scrambling and off-trail navigation. First-time backcountry travelers are welcome on many of our trips. For more detail, see the full intensity scale at /intensity-levels/.

Built on Trust, Year After Year

Notably, roughly a third of our guests are returning travelers, and many of our trips fill from word-of-mouth alone. Similarly, read what guests have said about us at /reviews/.

What to Expect on a Guided Alaska Backpacking Trip

Alaska backpacking is not a trail experience. Our expeditions travel cross-country through open tundra, glacial moraines, river drainages, and alpine ridgelines. Navigation is by map, compass, and guide expertise – there are no maintained paths. That’s the point.

Generally, on a typical expedition day, you’ll leave camp after a hot breakfast and travel 6-10 miles. Above all, the terrain rewards patience and curiosity. A Dall sheep above a ridgeline. A grizzly working a berry patch below. A glacier visible for 40 miles. Additionally, we choose camps for site quality and wildlife opportunity, not for proximity to a parking lot. In general, most trips are 7-12 days, covering 20-60 miles depending on the route and intensity level.

Furthermore, Alaska summer means long daylight, sometimes 20+ hours. That gives you flexibility, extended evening light, and a rhythm dictated by the landscape, not a clock. Notably, come prepared for weather: Alaska backcountry conditions can range from calm and warm to cold, wet, and windy in the same afternoon. Our gear lists and pre-trip briefings are thorough. See /alaska-weather/ for seasonal context.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fit do I need to be for a guided Alaska backpacking trip?

We design our Level 2 trips for active adults who exercise regularly. You don’t need to be an elite athlete. Expect 6-10 mile days over varied terrain with a 25-35 lb pack. Level 3 trips require strong aerobic fitness and comfort with off-trail terrain, river crossings, and longer days. We recommend reviewing our Intensity Levels page and calling us at 907-351-4193 if you’re unsure – we’d rather have that conversation before your trip than during it.

What national parks does Alaska Alpine Adventures offer backpacking trips in?

We guide backpacking trips in Lake Clark National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Denali National Park, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Katmai National Park, and Aniakchak National Monument. We reach all seven destinations by floatplane or bush plane. Our 25+ years of air taxi partnerships give us reliable access to remote put-ins that most operators can’t reach.

How much does a guided Alaska backpacking trip cost?

Our guided Alaska backpacking trips range from approximately $4,395 to $6,795 per person, depending on duration (typically 7-12 days) and destination. All pricing is per-person and fully inclusive of floatplane transport from the staging town, professional guiding, all backcountry food, group camping gear (tents, stoves, cookware), and pre-trip lodging coordination. Personal gear, airfare to Anchorage or Fairbanks, and gratuities are not included.

Do I need prior backpacking experience?

Prior backpacking experience is helpful but not required for most of our Level 2 trips. Our guides manage pace, navigation, and decision-making, and our pre-trip support includes detailed gear lists and a one-on-one preparation call. If you’re new to backpacking, we recommend starting with a 7-day Level 2 trip and calling us at 907-351-4193 to discuss which itinerary is the best match for your fitness and goals.

Ready to book a guided Alaska backpacking trip? Browse our current backpacking expeditions below. Want help choosing the right one? Call us at 907-351-4193 or use our Alaska Trip Consulting service – our team has guided these exact routes for nearly 30 years and can help you find the right fit.