Take a course in Alaska's wildest classrooms!
Field Courses
Alaska Geographic offers high quality learning experiences. Popular multi-day field courses immerse participants in intensive wilderness-based experiences led by experts in fields ranging from geology and birds to mosses, mammals, and more. These are active learning vacations. Participants must be in good physical condition and ready for some of the challenges of exploring Alaska. Hiking distances and physical fitness levels are described in greater detail for each course. These courses are accredited through the University of Alaska. Teachers: click here for more accredited courses designed just for you!
Birds of Wonder Lake (Lodge-based)
Denali National Park and Preserve
June 3 – 6
$1080 Alaska Geographic Member Price ($1200 non-member price)
June is a great pivot point of the year for birds after enduring another epic journey of migration. Join us for three nights and four days at the beautiful Skyline Lodge in the Kantishna region of Denali. With long time Denali resident and naturalist Nan Eagleson, we’ll enjoy the arrival of Denali’s spring migrants who have come to rub shoulders with hardy winter residents. We’ll learn how to identify birds by sight and sound, and explore kettle ponds to search for waterfowl in vibrant full-breeding plumage. We’ll also discuss avian behavior, habitat selection, food habits and of course migration ecology. Please note: rooms at the lodge for this course are double occupancy.
Hiking will be moderately strenuous, covering distances of approximately 5 miles round trip and including as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will be hiking off trail on rough, uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrains and will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and stream crossings with water levels that are above hiking boots. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
Two professional development credits are available for this course through the University of Alaska. You may choose this option when registering for the course.
Please download the following four documents to complete the requirements for the credits. The syllabus and registration form will be available in early May.
Denali's Mosses and Lichens
Denali National Park and Preserve
June 4 – 6
$360 Alaska Geographic member price ($400 non-member price)
Interior Alaska is truly a land of mosses and lichens. They are draped on trees, nestled together in the tundra, and plastered on rocks. With a combined total of over 1000 species, they are one of the most diverse species groups in Denali National Park and Preserve. Join Denali botanist Sarah Stehn for an introduction to the smallest, yet ever-present members of Alaska’s vegetation. We will spend our time investigating the biology and ecology of these mysterious organisms, striking out across the landscape to explore the many microsites they inhabit, while learning to identify the most common and charismatic species.
Hiking will be moderately strenuous over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrain, and will include frequent bending and stooping. Hikes will cover distances of approximately 4 miles round trip with as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and stream crossings with water levels that are above hiking boots. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the University of Alaska. You may choose this option when registering for the course.
Please download the following four documents to complete the requirements for the credit. The syllabus and registration form will be available in early May.
This course is sold out. To be added to the wait list, please email courses@alaskageographic.org.
Birds of Wonder Lake (Lodge-based)
Denali National Park and Preserve
June 12 – 15
$1080 Alaska Geographic Member Price ($1200 non-member price)
June is a great pivot point of the year for birds after enduring another epic journey of migration. Join us for three nights and four days at the beautiful Skyline Lodge in the Kantishna region of Denali. With long time Denali resident and naturalist Nan Eagleson, we’ll enjoy the arrival of Denali’s spring migrants who have come to rub shoulders with hardy winter residents. We’ll learn how to identify birds by sight and sound, and explore kettle ponds to search for waterfowl in vibrant full-breeding plumage. We’ll also discuss avian behavior, habitat selection, food habits and of course migration ecology.
Hiking will be moderately strenuous, covering distances of approximately 5 miles round trip and including as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will be hiking off trail on rough, uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrains and will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and stream crossings with water levels that are above hiking boots. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
Two professional development credits are available for this course through the University of Alaska. You may choose this option when registering for the course.
Please download the following four documents to complete the requirements for the credits. The syllabus and registration form will be available in early May.
This course is sold out. To be added to the wait list, please email courses@alaskageographic.org.
Paleontology in Denali
Denali National Park and Preserve
July 9 – 11
$360 Alaska Geographic member price ($400 non-member price)
It’s been 15 years since the first evidence of dinosaurs was found in Denali National Park. Since then, thousands of tracks and plant fossils have been discovered – and even a few bones – helping to paint a picture of an extinct Cretaceous ecosystem. Join paleontologist Patrick Druckenmiller, Director of the University of Alaska Museum of the North, for an inside look at his current research in Denali to better understand dinosaurs and their environment. In this field-based course, we will learn how to recognize dinosaur tracks and other fossils and test this knowledge by visiting potential new sites. We will also learn some of the paleontological tools-of-the-trade and contribute to real research on Alaskan dinosaurs.
Hiking will be strenuous, covering distances of up to 5 miles round trip including as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will be hiking off trail on steep, rough, uneven, and unstable rocks, tundra, and/or forested terrain and will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and stream crossings with water levels that are above hiking boots. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the University of Alaska. You may choose this option when registering for the course.
Please download the following four documents to complete the requirements for the credit. The syllabus and registration form will be available in early May.
This course is sold out. To be added to the wait list, please email courses@alaskageographic.org.
Geology of Denali
Denali National Park and Preserve
July 14 – 16
$360 Alaska Geographic member price ($400 non-member price)
Denali’s dramatic landscape has been sculpted and scoured by tectonics, glaciers, rivers, and landslides. Join National Park Service geologist Denny Capps for an introduction to Denali’s geology. We will spend our days hiking mountains and valleys learning how geologists study the Earth and interpret the landscape’s story. We’ll learn basic mineral and rock identification, decipher evidence of past glaciations, examine dynamic braided rivers, and visit areas affected by permafrost and landslides.
Hiking will be strenuous, covering distances up to several miles round trip and including as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will be hiking off trail on steep, rough, uneven, and unstable rocks, tundra, and/or forested terrain. Depending on prevailing conditions we may encounter stream crossings with water levels that are above hiking boots. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the University of Alaska. You may choose this option when registering for the course.
Please download the following four documents to complete the requirements for the credit. The syllabus and registration form will be available in early May.
This course is sold out. To be added to the wait list, please email courses@alaskageographic.org.
Wolves of Denali
Denali National Park and Preserve
August 6 – 8
$360 Alaska Geographic member price ($400 non-member price)
Wolves are a potent symbol of wilderness in our society, and Denali is one of the world’s best places for learning about these elusive predators. Join Denali National Park’s wolf biologist Bridget Borg in the field as we explore predator and prey relationships, wolf behavior, social structure, and wildlife management issues facing the National Park Service. Learn the latest in wolf research as we search wildlife corridors for tracks and signs of this fascinating species.
Hiking will be moderately strenuous over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrain, covering distances of approximately 3-5 miles round trip with as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and stream crossings with water levels that are above hiking boots. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the University of Alaska. You may choose this option when registering for the course.
Please download the following four documents to complete the requirements for the credit. The syllabus and registration form will be available in early May.
This course is sold out. To be added to the wait list, please email courses@alaskageographic.org.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations and/or substitutions that occur 14 days or more in advance of the course start date will be refunded the full course fee. Cancellations occurring within 14 days of the start date will not be refunded unless we can fill your space. If you must cancel from a course, please notify us as quickly as possible so that we may attempt to refill the spot. If Alaska Geographic must cancel a course due to the pandemic, we will provide you with several options at that time, including requesting a refund of your fee. All membership purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable.