MT. MCKINLEY PRINCESS WILDERNESS LODGE

Posted on by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

In June of 2025, I’m returning to Alaska for a very special 12-night Cruise Tour with Princess Cruises. For the first five nights, I’ll be seeing the sights of Anchorage & Denali National Park, staying at two of Princess Cruises’ famous wilderness lodges.

During the escorted land portion of this CruiseTour, I’ll stay at one of Princess Cruises’ most popular lodges in Alaska — the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge®! This lodge is only 40 miles from Denali and two hours south of the entrance to Denali National Park. From the Great Room in the main lodge, admire the tallest peak in North America. Or enjoy local cuisine, adventures and activities — all at this remote Alaska lodge offering a true wilderness retreat.

From the moment you arrive at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge in Denali State Park, you know you’re somewhere special. Located south of the National Park near the Chulitna River, Mt. McKinley Lodge is a true wilderness retreat with a host of recreational activities, exceptional amenities, and awesome views of Denali. For more information about the lodge, click here.

AMENITIES

This cozy Alaska lodge invites the ultimate relaxation experience. Each of the guest rooms is nestled peacefully on a hillside in this wilderness getaway. Relax in comfort and style in rooms with two Queen beds or one King bed, lofty, nine-foot ceilings with fans, a sitting area, a television and telephones. Find comfort in the heart of the wilderness at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, where you’ll enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of “The Great One”, Denali. Amenities include an inviting Great Room with a giant wood-burning fire place, a tour desk, gift shop, lounge, gourmet dining, Denali State Park Ranger programs and an espresso bar.

In-Room Amenities include: phone, cable tv & hair dryer; Additional amenities include: kids activities, shuttle, laundry facilities, park ranger programs & espresso bar.

TREEHOUSE

Experience their very own treehouse, as seen on Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters! Gain a whole new perspective of Denali, the Great One, from the perch of a custom built treehouse at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.

Treehouse Activities

(available for purchase at Guest Service Desk, subject to availability)

Sourdough Expedition – Join author, world record holder and amputee mountain climber Todd Huston as he chronicles the first ascent, the original sourdough expedition, of Denali! Meet Todd and a few other fellow adventurers at the main lodge building before beginning your very own ascent to the Treehouse. Immerse yourself in the story of the first ascent while you explore the trails around the treehouse and enjoy a cup of cocoa and doughnuts when you reach the summit.

Sappy Hour – Gather with fellow foodies inside the Treehouse for a unique and rare sampling of Birch syrups and other products made from birch sap. Learn about Birch trees and the harvesting of Birch syrup. You’ll satisfy your sweet tooth at a sappy hour you’ll surely remember.

Denali Climbing Talks

Hear stories about climbing Denali from the climbers who summited North America’s tallest mountain. Talks take place in Hudson Theater, a venue that features mountain-themed decor.

Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge Activities

Located above the Chulitna River, Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge is surrounded by majestic Denali National Park.

The lodge boasts incredible views of Denali – “The Great One” – in the Athabascan language.

Mt. McKinley Lodge-based activities abound. Guests can enjoy nature hikes, rafting, and wagon rides. A few minutes away are opportunities for flightseeing, horseback riding, or river rafting. Ride a motorcoach to the town of Talkeetna, which means the “meeting of three rivers.” Talkeetna was an important trading community in the early pioneer days. Natives, trappers, and merchants used the rivers for transportation by boat in the summer and dog sleds in the winter.

Today, Talkeetna is the base camp for climbers testing their skills against Denali, and it is also the jumping off point for many excursions.

ITINERARY FOR ALASKA LAND/SEA TOUR —

During our tour, beginning on June 9, 2025 — (we’ll be staying at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage on 6/9/25) —

After breakfast at our Anchorage hotel, We’ll journey to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge on June 10 for a two night stay via a scenic motorcoach. Dinner at the lodge is included tonight. Before or after dinner, you may want to explore the lodge’s treehouse designed and built by Pete Nelson of Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters.

On Wednesday June 11 you’ll have a full day at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge to both relax & explore…hear stories about climbing Denali in the Hudson Theater or roast marshmallows at the fireside patio. You can also choose from a generous offerings of optional outdoor activities such as a horse-drawn wagon ride, a Denali Kayak Tour, or a float down the Talkeetna River.

We’ll check out of Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge on June 12, 2025 to travel to our next destination — The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge where the great one awaits…

Stay tuned for more information about this exciting, escorted land & cruise tour to Alaska!
Would you like to join us for this amazing adventure? Get the full itinerary here. The itinerary begins in Anchorage, Alaska on June 9, 2025 with 5 nights on land, a rail journey to Whittier, Alaska to board the beautiful Caribbean Princess for a seven night cruise to Vancouver…along the way we’ll have a couple of scenic cruising days to see Hubbard Glacier & Glacier National Park before visiting Skagway, Juneau & Ketchikan!

Send me an email, and I’ll be happy to get current pricing for you!

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Published by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Hi, I’m Kenneth Reece — and I help make unforgettable vacations feel effortless. With 50 cruises under my belt (and more in the works!), I specialize in bucket-list travel experiences for grown-up travelers who want something a little more meaningful, a little more personal, and a lot more fun. Whether you're cruising the blue waters of the Caribbean, exploring the stunning coastlines of Alaska, or soaking in the magic of Europe one cobblestone street at a time — I’m here to help you plan a trip you’ll always remember. Lately, river cruising has completely captured my heart. There’s just something special about waking up each morning in a new European town, with your floating boutique hotel waiting to take you to the next charming stop. I love pairing these river cruises with guided land tours for a perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. Princess Cruises has long been one of my favorites at sea, but I’ve sailed with many cruise lines and know how to match each client with the right one for them. I’ve also experienced the Disney magic around the world — from Disneyland and Walt Disney World to Tokyo and Paris — and I bring that same sense of wonder and thoughtful planning into everything I do. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, traveling solo, or just need help making sense of all the choices out there, I’m here to be your guide. I love helping clients as much — or as little — as they prefer. From the first conversation to the moment you return home, you’ll know someone has your back. Let’s make your next trip easy, exciting, and completely tailored to you.