Midnight Sun Photo Excursion

Midnight Sun Photography Tour

Experience the thrill of chasing the Midnight Sun and learn to photograph the dramatic, long-lasting sunset colors in Denali.  With a maximum of 4 participants per tour, your guide will take you to the best locations to revel in the prolonged “magic hour,” beautiful alpenglow, and spectacular cloudscapes of interior Alaska. 

During mid-summer, sunset is close to midnight due to our far north location. The sunset colors last for an extended period of time, giving us ample opportunity to move to several locations during “golden hour” for instruction and experimentation with different compositions, focal lengths, and exposure settings. This tour also offers good potential for moose sightings because there is less human activity during this time of day.

Our photo guides are passionate, experienced photographers and expert light-wranglers; they will be your location scout and instructor – seeking out the best locations and the most dramatic lighting in real time. You will be provided with individualized instruction so you can hone your skills as you capture beautiful images that will last a lifetime.

This guided excursion offers one-on-one attention and allows you to feel like you have the locations all to yourself for a truly immersive experience.

Details 

• The main focus of this tour is landscape photography with dramatic lighting & colors.
• Your guide will drive you to multiple locations to shoot photos in the field.
• If we are lucky enough to find wildlife, we will take the opportunity to photograph them. We often see moose on this tour, but keep in mind that animals can be difficult to find.
• Your guide will give you tips on how to make the most of your stay at Denali National Park.
• Instruction topics may also include portraits, pets, sporting events, editing, etc.

Where We Go

The only ways into Denali National Park are by private vehicle, bicycle, plane, or a park bus. The only commercially guided tours allowed in the park are a few hiking tours in the entrance area and the park’s own bus tours. Our tour travels along the edge of the park boundaries and into a nearby wilderness area via the Denali Highway, which offers equally stunning vistas as the park road. As photographers, we think the locations on the Denali Highway offer even more photogenic landscapes.

Cameras
The best camera is the one you have! Our tour is designed to benefit photographers of all skill levels with any type of camera (smart-phones welcome). No matter what gear you have, our guides will be able to help you progress as photographer.

• Beginners will learn techniques to get more out of their equipment; how to read light and adjust their exposure settings to photograph Alaska’s stunning scenery and wildlife in a way that “does it justice.”
• Advanced photographers will enjoy the luxury of being shown the best locations without having to scout on their own.
• Rental cameras with zoom lens available.

Our Promise

Safety and quality of experience are our top priorities. We want you to feel assured that
you will have a good experience. Our tours operate rain or shine, but we don’t force anyone to go. We make conservative decisions and we will do our best to share our knowledge of the conditions with you on an individual basis. We are constantly monitoring the surrounding areas and often there may be rain at your hotel, but great lighting in the areas that we will be photographing. If we don't think the tour will be a good fit for you at the time of the tour, we will try to reschedule or offer a refund.

We do our best to create opportunities for viewing wildlife and “The Mountain” (Denali), but we cannot guarantee it because the weather and behavior of animals are out of our control. Guides will take guests to the best locations given the current weather conditions, light, and wildlife activity.

Please read our policies in full here.

What to Bring

• Weather can change quickly in Denali so bring an extra layer and a raincoat.
• Comfortable shoes are recommended – there may be some walking on variable
  terrain if desired.
• Don’t forget your camera, lenses, and extra battery!
• We provide tripods & filters.
• In an effort to reduce waste, please bring your own reusable water bottle and
  your own snacks.

Transportation

• Transportation is provided to and from all Denali area hotels.
• We travel in a luxury truck that is comfortable and easy to get in and out of.
• Tours begin upon pick up; there is no shuttling and no caravanning.

Notes

• Activity level is easy.
• This trip is suitable for all skill levels and all cameras, including smartphones.
• Digital cameras with long zoom lens are available to rent, and you keep the memory card. There are limited opportunities to use a bathroom during the tour, however, there are many “facili-trees” that you can use at any time. We do not have scheduled stops for bathroom breaks but we will stop if needed. There is a gas station and a coffee shop that could be used after the first 40 minutes to an hour and again in the last 40 minutes. The bushes are always an option and we carry toilet paper, trash bags, wipes, and hand sanitizer in all of our trucks.
• For more information, please see our FAQs.

Duration

• 3 hours 30 minutes

Tour Start Time & Available Dates 

This tour operates May 10 – July 31, 2025. The “Midnight Sun” begins to set much earlier in August so we don’t offer this tour after the end of July.

Date & Start times:

• May 10 – May 19: 8:00 pm Start
• May 20 – May 31: 8:30 pm Start
• June 1- June 14: 9:00 pm Start
• June 15 – July 24: 8:30 pm Start
• July 25 – July 31: 8:00 pm Start

This tour can be booked privately!