Discover the wild places of Denali National Park and Preserve alongside scientists, researchers, and topic experts. Whether you’re fascinated by the world of fungi, want to better understand the area’s geology, or just crave getting off the beaten path, embarking on a three-day field course provides the perfect opportunity to fuel your curiosity while immersing yourself in one of Alaska’s most iconic National Parks.
Every course will include hiking off-trail in rugged terrain, but individual difficulty will vary between courses. Please review our difficulty level scale before registering.
June 1–3, 2026
Alaska Project Learning Tree and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are teaming up to offer this unique educator course! We’ll explore Denali’s boreal forest and tundra, including the recent 2024 fire site, and the role that wildfire plays within these ecosystems.
June 5–7, 2026
Learn how to read stories on the landscape using the science and art of wildlife tracking. With expert tracker Mike Taras, we will explore Denali to find the tracks and signs of all animals, large and small.
June 12–14, 2026
It’s been over 20 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.
June 19–21, 2026
Denali National Park and Preserve is home to some of the longest running bird monitoring programs in Alaska and in the US National Park Service system. Join wildlife biologist Carol McIntyre, who has studied birds in Denali for nearly 40 years, on daily hikes to search for birds and to learn more about how these monitoring programs help scientists understand the dynamic nature of Denali’s bird communities.
June 22–24, 2026
The Sanskrit term yuj, from which the word yoga is derived, is usually translated as “union” or “linking.” This joining of inner and outer is the focus of Yoga in Denali: Land & Body. The grand landscape of Denali invites the soul to remember the most cherished relationships and “links” in life.
June 26–28, 2026
Nature Journaling is a practice of creativity and curiosity that draws from our own experiences in the natural world. Join artist-naturalist Kim McNett to learn beginner-friendly field sketching and recording techniques that will strengthen your nature observation skills and enhance your personal connection to wild places.
July 3–5, 2026
Come explore Denali with us! Create lasting memories and help the whole family develop a deep love for Denali and the outdoors.
July 10–12, 2026
Denali is well known for its large mammals and big mountain, but a closer look reveals a vast micro wilderness waiting to be discovered. Denali’s insects, spiders, and other arthropods play a critical role in Denali’s ecosystems and have only recently been the subject of more in-depth research.
July 13–15, 2026
Look closely at Denali’s stunning landscape and you’ll find yourself inside a geological thriller. The park’s deep geologic history is a saga of violent volcanic eruptions, crustal collisions that built North America’s highest peak, and the powerful and persistent sculpting power of glaciers and rivers, all punctuated by dramatic earthquakes and landslides. Whether you’re a casual geology enthusiast or a seasoned professional, Denali has a captivating geological story to tell – if you’re ready to hear the tale.
July 17–19, 2026
High above tree line, where life survives on the edge, alpine ecosystems are warming and changing faster than almost anywhere on Earth. In these unique environments, home to specialized wildlife like pikas and marmots, these changes can dramatically alter the lives of the animals living there.
July 24–26, 2026
Born of a young mountain range, complex geologic origins, placement in the subarctic, weather patterns and a biological history without significant alteration by humans, Denali is an ideal place to study the ecology of an intact ecosystem.
August 3–5, 2026
As the days grow shorter, grizzly bears begin preparing for their long winter’s sleep. Join Denali National Park wildlife biologist Pat Owen and hear tales from her 30 years of studying bears in the park.
August 7–9, 2026
This course is a beginner-friendly introduction to navigating Denali’s off-trail wilderness. Join Denali Education Ranger Rachel Reed to build skills and confidence in the backcountry.
August 10–12, 2026
Although Denali may be known more for its snow-capped peaks and open tundra ecosystems, Denali is also home to beautiful and intact expanses of boreal forest. Join Denali National Park Fire Ecologist Sarah Stehn to discover how forest systems grow, thrive, and cope with challenges like insect outbreaks and wildfires.
August 14–16, 2026
This course is designed for curious outdoor enthusiasts and educators who wish to understand these diverse yet often overlooked organisms. Join Denali botanist James Walton to learn the basic biology, life histories, and ecology of bryophytes and lichens through a combination of landscape-scale exploration and focused study.
August 21–23, 2026
Late summer showcases a wealth of mushrooms throughout interior Alaska. Join local naturalist Eric Groth in Denali National Park and Preserve to learn various techniques for identifying native wild mushrooms.
Katy, Denali Education Program Coordinator – Rooted in the mountains of West Virginia, where she grew up immersed in family camping trips and explorations of local state parks, Katy’s early experiences instilled in her a profound respect for the outdoors and a passion for sharing its wonders.
She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from West Virginia University where she got a footing in the outdoor industry through guiding freshman orientation trips. Upon graduating, her journey in guiding and environmental education has taken her throughout the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain West, Alaska and the Appalachian region of the United States.
Eventually, her passion took her to Scotland where she completed a Master’s Degree in Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education from the University of Edinburgh in between exploring the Scottish Highlands. Since then, she’s called the Greater Yellowstone region and the deserts of the southwest home while guiding and working in the ski industry.
Equipped with certifications in Wilderness First Response, Outdoor Ethics, and Avalanche and Swiftwater Rescue, Katy brings enthusiasm for outdoor exploration and her expertise to every adventure. When not at work, she enjoys in trail running, skiing, reading and finding a good coffee shop to hang out in.
Natasha, Education Program Coordinator – Growing up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Natasha has always loved going on adventures in beautiful outdoor spaces with friends, family, and dogs!
Natasha loves combining her love for the outdoors with principles of stewardship in guiding, personal endeavors, and research- whether rock climbing in the desert, packrafting in the mountains, or using her degree in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability to teach environmental education to youth.
Over the last few years, Natasha has worked as a backpacking instructor for Alaska Geographic, taught place- based environmental science, researched climate change in arctic Alaska, and completed a thesis focusing on inclusivity and accessibility to outdoor recreational spaces and opportunities. Natasha is thrilled to share her knowledge and passion for the outdoors while ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Natasha lives in Anchorage, Alaska and is a Wilderness First Responder.
Rachael Eggleston, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer – Rachael brings over a decade of experience with Alaska Geographic, where she has led retail, marketing, development, publishing, and brand strategy. As Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, she focuses on driving retail growth, visibility, and educational outreach. She works closely with our teams and public land partners to create content and campaigns that inspire, educate, and invite action. Whether developing a new publication, launching a campaign, or mentoring a teammate, she’s motivated by the belief that meaningful connections can lead to lasting stewardship. She’s proud to contribute to an organization that shares her passion for environmental education, broadening access to public lands and protecting Alaska’s most inspiring places. Outside of work, Rachael can be found hiking, camping, pack rafting, tending her garden, or getting crafty with a new project. She’s an avid reader who believes you can never have too many books or mugs. Rachael shares her home with her husband, Galen, and their very good dog, Lupine, who are always ready for the next adventure.
Jess Brillhart, Field Course Coordinator – Jess has worked as an educator in several national parks but has called Denali home for many years. She loves getting people out into the park by coordinating Alaska Geographic’s multi-day courses based out of a field camp near the Teklanika River. She oversees instructor scheduling, university accreditation, registration, and participant communication – ensuring smooth operations and meaningful experiences from start to finish. One of the most rewarding parts of her work is collaborating with scientists and connecting them with the amazing people who participate in our courses every summer.
Karen Bente, Office Administrator (herder of cats) – Born and raised in Wisconsin, Karen came to Alaska via Florida and the Navy. She has been in Alaska for over 40 years and married for 30 years. She has two children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. There is one additional son and three more grandchildren on her husband’s side. All in all, they are spread from Fairbanks to Portland, OR. Karen’s 30 years of progressively responsible office positions made her the ideal candidate for this unique position. Karen works with all of AK Geo including our full-time and seasonal staff, our board of directors, our partners, our donors, our vendors, and anyone who calls or comes through the door. If Karen doesn’t have the answer she will find it.
Liz Munns, Regional Operations Manager – Liz manages the retail operations for eight different sites throughout Alaska Geographic’s network. She has a B.S. in Parks & Recreation Management from Western Carolina University and an M.S. in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University – Mankato. She has worked as a classroom teacher, seasonally for USFS (developed recreation), and in other visitor service positions throughout Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. Liz considers the Appalachian Mountains (specifically the Smokies) her home, but she loves her life in Alaska! Her biggest joys are picking berries, rockhounding, and spending time with her loved ones. When she’s not at work, her two labrador retrievers usually boss her around.
Steve Brown, Regional Operations Manager & Warehouse Coordinator – Steve is the Regional Operations Manager for seven of the Alaska Geographic stores around the state, including the online webstore at akgeo.org. He is also the coordinator for the Anchorage warehouse, overseeing the incoming and outgoing of products both for the web store as well as some products which are passing though to other Alaska Geographic stores. He came to Alaska Geographic with 37 years of experience managing and selling Alaska-themed books to the largest retailers in the state of Alaska.
Mark Bailey, Regional Operations Manager – Mark is responsible for retail operations at several of our locations across the state, including Denali National Park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Lake Clark National Park, and our store within the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Mark was born and raised in Alaska. His first job out of high school was at the Kantishna Roadhouse in Denali National Park. Being in the wilderness for a summer sparked his love for public lands, especially Denali. Mark graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics. Mark’s professional experience includes time in the oil industry, politics, state government, and as a small business owner before joining Alaska Geographic in 2022. When not on the job, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and son at home, camping, or fishing.
Andy Hall , Executive Director – Andy is a lifelong Alaskan who was born in Sitka and spent his early years in Mt. McKinley National Park where his father was superintendent. Andy spent many years as a journalist, editor and publisher working at newspapers around Alaska. For 16 years he was the editor and publisher of Alaska Magazine and general manager of The Milepost. He is the author of Denali’s Howl, The Deadliest Climbing Disaster on America’s Wildest Peak, published by Penguin Random House in 2014. He served on the Alaska Geographic Board of Directors for nine years from 2005 to 2014. He has been Alaska Geographic’s Executive Director since February of 2018.
Caitlyn Tetterton, Anchorage Education Director – Caitlyn is an outdoor education professional with over a decade of experience designing and leading impactful education programs, managing risk in dynamic expedition environments, and fostering strong partnerships to deepen community connection to public lands. At Alaska Geographic, she develops place-based education programs that inspire both local youth and visitors, with a focus on making the outdoors more approachable and accessible, empowering the next generation of leaders, and setting a high standard for risk management. Her leadership is rooted in a people-first philosophy that values growth, empowerment, and fostering engaging environments. Caitlyn holds a B.S. in Outdoor Recreation & Education from Ohio University, is a Wilderness First Responder, and holds certifications in Avalanche Level 1, Swiftwater Rescue, ACA Level 2 Sea Kayak Instructing, and is a Leave No Trace Instructor. She stays fresh with the younger generations by teaching skiing at Alyeska on the weekends and leading teen canoe expeditions in California each fall. When she’s not working, she’s usually on a mountain bike, skiing in the backcountry, at a thrift store, or chasing after her senior (and formerly rejected) sled dog.