Fall in Denali

with
WILDERNESS PHOTOGRAPHER
Chad Dutson

Fall in Denali Workshop
September 2025 (9 Days)
Specific Dates to be Announced

Join Wilderness Photographer, Chad Dutson, at one of the nation’s jewels, Denali National Park. Hands-down the best time of the year to photograph Denali is autumn. Imagine endless fields of red and yellow foliage surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Timed near the equinox, there will still be plenty of time to capture excellent light conditions. You may even have the chance to capture the Aurora Borealis.

Join the Workshop Notification List

Photography Experience Level: Photographers of all levels will value Fall in Denali. Photography instruction and area knowledge are two of the benefits with your guide/instructor.

[If booking more than one person,
please contact us for a
discount code prior to signing up]

Fall in Denali — (c) Chad Dutson — Fall in the Alaska Range — (c) Chad Dutson

Brown Bear on the prowl for berries — (c) Chad Dutson — Brown Bear in evening light on the prowl for berries — (c) Chad Dutson

Day 1
Transport from Anchorage to Denali National Park along the Parks Highway. Vista opportunities of Denali, the highest peak in North America, are spotted along this route. Hike to a remote lake in Denali National Park will round out the day. Lodging for 2 nights in cabins near Denali National Park Headquarters.

Day 2
Group bus from Denali National Park Headquarters through the first 43 miles of the Denali Park Road and back to Headquarters, capturing images of wildlife and landscapes as they present themselves along the way. Stops scheduled at Teklanika and Toklat.

Days 3 to 6
Fly to remote Denali to a premiere backcountry lodge. Mornings and evenings will be spent in remote field hiking and photography sessions and afternoon classroom discussions. Lodging in the backcountry for 3 nights. On day 6, fly back to relax in a cabin near Denali National Park Headquarters.

Day 7
Explore the vast landscape stretching along 135 miles of the Denali Highway. Lodging at a backcountry lodge in the heart of the wilderness.

Day 8
Complete the final stretch of the Denali Highway, and explore the vastness of the Richardson Highway. Lodging at a backcountry lodge in the heart of the wilderness.

Day 9
Complete the trip by traveling along the Glenn Highway and return to Anchorage. See the Matanuska Glacier and other landscape and wildlife opportunities as they present themselves. The trip concludes in Anchorage, and you will be dropped off at a hotel or the Anchorage Airport.

Itinerary*

Each day includes one to two hours of workshop instruction in an informal living room setting. Vehicle and hiking tours will scattered throughout the workshop, providing both landscape and wildlife opportunities.

*Itinerary subject to change

Denali Park Road — (c) Chad Dutson — Denali National Park — (c) Chad Dutson

Highlights

Take your photography to the next level, learning techniques in daily group discussions led by Alaska photographer, Chad Dutson.

Explore Denali National Park. Travel the both the Denali Park Road and Denali Highway. See the incredible vistas of Denali, the Alaska Range, and the picturesque water of Wonder and Reflection Lakes.
Capture Denali’s “Big 5” as opportunities present themselves: bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and dall sheep. Other wildlife seen frequently in the park: eagles, owls, fox, lynx, ptarmigan, spruce grouse, sandhill cranes, snowshoe hares, and wolverines.
Explore Alaska’s major landscape highways: Parks, Denali, Richardson, and Glenn.
All-inclusive trip in Alaska’s renown wilderness lodges.

Details

The workshop begins and ends in Anchorage, Alaska. Chad will demonstrate his favored techniques, including proper exposure and composition. Some advanced techniques will be discussed, too, such as HDR and focus-stacking. When is it appropriate (or required) to use these techniques, and when is it wasting your time? Basic processing in Adobe Photoshop will be included in discussions, too. Chad has used Nikon, Sony, and Canon equipment professionally, and caters instruction to your photographic experience level.

Each day the group will explore via vehicle transportation or hiking opportunities. In order to participate in the hiking, you must be able to hike at least moderate intensity, including your photography gear.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is included with the workshop?
+ Daily workshop discussions with Chad Dutson
+ Lodging, Transportation, Meals

What is not included with the workshop?
Essentially everything else: Any overnight lodging in Anchorage before and after the workshop, personal snacks, alcohol, and airfare.

Are gratuities included?
Gratuities are not included. Gratuities are at your discretion.

Is guide service included within Denali National Park?
Yes, as permitted by the backcountry lodge. Guide service is heavily restricted by Denali National Park. The bus tour will be provided by Denali’s current concessionaire.

What wildlife will I see?
You may have the opportunity to see Denali’s “Big 5”: bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and dall sheep. Other wildlife seen in the areas covered by the workshop: coyotes, eagles, owls, foxes, lynx, ptarmigan, spruce grouse, sandhill cranes, snowshoe hares, and wolverines.

When Should I Arrive in Anchorage?
Transportation throughout the workshop is provided. The workshop will pick you up at a location of your choice within the Anchorage Municipality in the morning on Day 1, such as a local hotel. It is strongly recommended you arrive at least one day prior to the workshop in order to compensate for any possible travel delays. If you arrive late, you will be responsible for your own transportation to Denali National Park.

When Should I Schedule the Departure Flight?
Any flight leaving Anchorage after 5:00 PM on Day 9 will suffice. Alternatively, you may select to book a hotel for the evening, or extend your stay and enjoy more of Alaska. Most local hotels provide transportation to the airport.

Does the price include workshop participation by my spouse/partner/friend who is attending with me?
No; however a discount will be provided if booking the workshop for two. Please contact us to receive a discount code if you plan to book the workshop for two or more.

How are sleeping arrangements made for those who select the lodging option?
Double-occupancy/Shared Rooms will be occupied by participants of the same gender. If there are two of you attending, such as friend/partner/spouse, please notify us upon booking so that immediate arrangements will be made for you. You may also purchase the single-occupancy supplement, in which you will be provided your own personal room.

What camera gear should I bring?
For landscapes, a 24mm or slightly wider. For wildlife, recommend a lens/lenses with a range 200-500mm. You may also choose to pack a 1.4x or 2.0x extender. As for filters, two suggestions would be a graduated ND filter, to darken the bright skies, and a polarizer to emphasize dramatic, cloudy skies. A tripod/monopod is also recommended.

What travel insurance do you recommend?
www.travelinsure.com