Climbing America's Highest Mountain Comes With A Hefty Price Tag, But The Views Are Priceless

Climbing the tallest mountain in North America — 20,310-feet-high Denali, in the middle of Alaska — is incredibly arduous and expensive. But for many mountaineers, the mind-blowing panoramic views from Alaska's rooftop make it well worth their while. To ascend Denali, a climber must embark on a multi-week expedition, with an average round trip of 17 to 21 days, and shell out thousands of dollars.

The national park's permit fee is only $430 for mountaineers older than 24 and $330 for those 24 and under, but add to that the cost of climbing gear (which ain't cheap) and a guiding service, and the price tag shoots up to around $12,000. This qualifies it as the most expensive climb in North America and one of the 10 costliest in the world, a list that also includes the Matterhorn in Switzerland, (around $8,000), Cho Oyu in Tibet (around $33,000), and topping the list, Nepal's beguiling Mt. Everest (around $84,000). 

It might be possible to reduce the cost of climbing Denali by passing on a guiding service, but this is not recommended. A climber would have to assume the responsibility of planning and leading the entire expedition on their own, including mapping out a climbing route on some of the most unforgiving terrain on the planet; purchasing, preparing, and packing all food and supplies; arranging the backcountry flight to the glacier; and all other logistics. The beauty of a reputable guide service is that they take care of all these mundane details, allowing clients to focus on what matters most: the climb and the dazzling Alaskan scenery that goes along with it.

The good news is that you can skip the grueling climb along with its hefty price tag and still see Denali in all its snowy glory, weather permitting. On clear sunny days, the massive, glowing-white peak is visible from hundreds of miles away, in towns and on roads all throughout central Alaska. Some of the best viewpoints are located right within the must-see Alaskan destination of Denali National Park along the 91-mile Denali Park Road. However, before you go, please check the park's website for the latest information on rockfall-related closures on the park road.

Another road trip that affords excellent views of Denali is the George Parks Highway from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Denali View South, a dramatic overlook of the Susitna River and surrounding peaks at mile 135.2 along this road, is considered the best spot to view the mountain outside the national park. You can also travel the Anchorage—Fairbanks route via public transportation rather than private vehicle. To do so, board the Denali Star train embark on a scenic 12-hour journey between the two cities, with stunning views of Denali and Alaska's rugged interior from the large picture windows and glass-domed ceiling of the train along the way.

Lastly, a flight-seeing tour of Denali in a light aircraft or helicopter will be pricier than one of the above road trip but still nowhere near as expensive as a guided mountaineering expedition. For upwards of $250 per person, soar near the towering crags of the mountain and get up close and personal with the intricacies of its icy contours. Traveling by air is also a great way to spot Alaskan wildlife such as bear, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep roaming freely on the open tundra.