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[Skip to Main Content](https://www.pbs.org/show/return-wild/#maincontent) - [Shows](https://www.pbs.org/shows/) - [My List](https://www.pbs.org/my-list/) Choose Station [Search](https://www.pbs.org/search/) Genres - [Arts & Music](https://www.pbs.org/explore/arts/) - [Culture](https://www.pbs.org/explore/culture/) - [Documentaries & Indie Films](https://www.pbs.org/explore/documentaries-and-indie-films/) - [Drama](https://www.pbs.org/explore/drama/) - [Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.](https://www.pbs.org/explore/henry-louis-gates-jr/) - [PBS America @ 250](https://www.pbs.org/explore/pbs-america-at-250/) - [Food](https://www.pbs.org/explore/food/) - [History](https://www.pbs.org/explore/history/) - [Home & How-To](https://www.pbs.org/explore/home-and-how-to/) - [News & Public Affairs](https://www.pbs.org/explore/news-and-public-affairs/) - [Science & Nature](https://www.pbs.org/explore/science-and-nature/) - [Shows](https://www.pbs.org/shows/) - [My List](https://www.pbs.org/my-list/shows/) - [Donate](https://www.pbs.org/donate/) - Sign In  Watch Preview Please choose a PBS Station to see what episodes are available. #  A fresh look at the enigmatic story of a young American hiker named Chris McCandless, who was found dead in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness and became the subject of the best-selling Jon Krakauer book and Sean Penn-directed movie “Into the Wild.” Chris McCandless' own letters, released for the first time, as well as new and surprising interviews probe the mystery that still lies at the [Explore More Science and Nature](https://www.pbs.org/explore/science-and-nature/) - [Clips & Previews](https://www.pbs.org/show/return-wild/#section1) - [About](https://www.pbs.org/show/return-wild/#section2) - [You Might Also Like](https://www.pbs.org/show/return-wild/#section3) Loading... Providing Support for PBS.org [Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship](https://pbs.org/online-sponsorship-support) ### Genre - [Science and Nature](https://www.pbs.org/explore/science-and-nature/) ### Share this Show - Link Copied to Clipboard ## There are no episodes currently available for Return to the Wild - [Learn More](https://help.pbs.org/support/solutions/articles/12000000169-why-can-t-i-find-more-full-episodes-) - [Stream More Shows & Films on PBS.org](https://www.pbs.org/shows/) - [Download the PBS App](https://www.pbs.org/pbs-app/) - [Check Your Local Listings for Broadcast Schedules](https://www.pbs.org/tv_schedules/) ### About the Show **Premiered November 2014** Twenty years ago, a young American hiker named Chris McCandless, the accomplished son of successful middle class parents, was found dead in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness and became the subject of the best-selling book and movie “Into the Wild.” PBS retraces Chris McCandless’ steps to try to piece together why he severed all ties with his past, burnt or gave away all his money, changed his name and headed into the Denali Wilderness. Read More McCandless' own letters, released for the first time, as well as new and surprising interviews, probe the mystery that still lies at the heart of a story that has become part of the American literary canon and compels so many to this day. ### Producers - Lincoln Square Productions - Coneflower Productions -  The McCandless bus in Alaska. 1/9 Coneflower Studios -  Healy, Alaska as seen from a chopper. 2/9 PBS -  The abandoned bus where Chris McCandless lived and died in the Alaskan wilderness. 3/9 PBS -  The interior of the McCandless bus. 4/9 Coneflower Studios -  The area around the McCandless bus in Healy, Alaska. 5/9 PBS -  Carine McCandless in front of the bus where her brother, Chris McCandless, was found. 6/9 PBS -  This chopper transported the McCandless sisters and the program crew to the bus where Chris McCandless died. 7/9 PBS -  Northern Lights in Alaska. 8/9 Coneflower Studios -  An Alaskan moose. 9/9 Coneflower Studios - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/nova/) - [Science and Nature](https://www.pbs.org/explore/science-and-nature/) ## [](https://www.pbs.org/show/nova/) Explore scientific discoveries on television's most acclaimed science documentary series. - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/nature/) - [Science and Nature](https://www.pbs.org/explore/science-and-nature/) ## [](https://www.pbs.org/show/nature/) Capturing the splendor of the natural world, from the African plains to the Antarctic ice. - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/eons/) - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/its-okay-be-smart/) - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/pbs-space-time/) - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/deep-look/) - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/weathered/) - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/overview/) - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/big-cats-247/) - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/reactions/) - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/human-footprint/) - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/walking-with-dinosaurs/) - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/women-earth/) - [](https://www.pbs.org/show/crash-course-botany/) Support for PBS provided by: ## Our Sites - [PBS KIDS](https://pbskids.org/) - [PBS LearningMedia](https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/) - [Parents](https://www.pbs.org/parents/) - [Food](https://www.pbs.org/food/) - [Digital Studios](https://www.pbs.org/franchise/digital-studios/) - [Black Culture Connection](https://www.pbs.org/articles/topic/black-culture-connection/) - [PBS KIDS Shop](https://www.shop.pbskids.org/) ## Learn More - [PBS Foundation](https://foundation.pbs.org/) - [Viewers Like Me](https://www.pbs.org/viewers-like-me/) - [About Us](https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/) - [Press Releases](https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/blogs/news/) - [Careers](https://www.pbs.org/about/careers/) - [PBS Standards](https://www.pbs.org/standards/) - [Support PBS](https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/support-pbs/) - [Producing for PBS](https://www.pbs.org/about/producing-pbs/) ## Connect With Us - [Newsletters](https://newsletters.pbs.org/) - [Help & FAQ](https://help.pbs.org/support/home) - [Public Editor](https://www.pbs.org/publiceditor/) - [Contact Us](https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/contact-information/) - - [](https://www.instagram.com/pbs/) - [](https://www.tiktok.com/@pbs?lang=en) - [](https://www.facebook.com/pbs) - [](https://twitter.com/PBS) - [](https://www.youtube.com/PBS) - [](https://pbskids.org/) - [](https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/) - [Download the PBS App](https://www.pbs.org/pbs-app/)  Copyright © 2026 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), all rights reserved. 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 Please to see what episodes are available. ##  A fresh look at the enigmatic story of a young American hiker named Chris McCandless, who was found dead in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness and became the subject of the best-selling Jon Krakauer book and Sean Penn-directed movie “Into the Wild.” Chris McCandless' own letters, released for the first time, as well as new and surprising interviews probe the mystery that still lies at the - [Clips & Previews](https://www.pbs.org/show/return-wild/#section1) - [About](https://www.pbs.org/show/return-wild/#section2) - [You Might Also Like](https://www.pbs.org/show/return-wild/#section3)