Denali Flightseeing & Ruth Glacier Landing
Denali Flightseeing & Glacier Landing
Take a small plane from Talkeetna over the Alaska Range, circle Denali, North America's highest peak, and land on Ruth Glacier for a walk on the ice.
This is Talkeetna's most iconic experience. Several air taxi operators, such as Talkeetna Air Taxi and K2 Aviation, depart from the airstrip at the edge of town. Small planes with ski landing gear fly through the Ruth Glacier canyon and into the Sheldon Amphitheater, a natural bowl surrounded by towering granite peaks, and land on the glacier for a stay of about 20–30 minutes. A typical route takes 1.5–2 hours, and a glacier landing costs about US$450–600 per person. You can add a longer flight that circles the summit of Denali. Denali is often hidden by clouds, so flights depend on the weather. It is best to schedule this early in your trip and leave a backup date. The ice is cold and glaring, so bring warm clothing and sunglasses.
Opening hours
Daily flights May–Sep (weather permitting)
Nearby sights
- Denali Viewpoint South
- Byers Lake
- Talkeetna Riverfront Park
- Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station
- Talkeetna Historic District
- Talkeetna Historical Society Museum
- Hurricane Turn Train
- Talkeetna River Jet Boat Tours