An inside guide to Denali National Park and Preserve

Denali is reflected in a small pond just east of Wonder Lake in Denali National Park. (Bob Hallinen/ADN Archive)

Denali National Park and Preserve is named after the nation’s strongest mountain, but the 6 million-acre park encompasses so much more. Denali has options to suit every type of visitor. Whether you’re an avid backpacker looking to explore new trails or a relaxed traveler who enjoys spotting animals on tours, you’ll find some amazing scenery to explore.

directions

Located about four hours north of Anchorage and two hours south of Fairbanks on the George Parks Highway, it’s an easy drive to the center of the state. After all, there is only one road entrance to the park.

If you don’t have your own wheels, you can access them by:

Bus: One option is Alaska/Yukon Trails, a passenger van company that can transport up to 16 passengers. Run the same route in reverse from Anchorage to Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks. Both departures leave town early and are scheduled to arrive around noon. If you want to ride a luxury motorcoach, one option is The Park Connection, where you can book tickets from Anchorage or Seward. The other is the Alaska Shuttle, which runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks and allows passengers to hop off at any time during the journey and restart on a later bus.

A tour bus runs along the park roads of Denali National Park. (Bob Hallinen/ADN Archive)

Train: By train (the Alaska Railroad is celebrating its 101st anniversary this season), the trip takes about three hours and takes you through wilderness areas only accessible by rail. Additionally, there’s a dining and bar car, knowledgeable guides, and a dome car with stunning views of the mountains and valleys along the way. The train stops at a nearly 1,000-foot-long railroad bridge spanning a huge canyon known as Hurricane Gulch. On a clear day, you can see Denali from there. (A more economical option, both financially and time-wise, is to take the train one way and take a motorcoach for the return trip. Bonus: You’ll see even more of the state.) By Train For more information about the ride, visit alaskarailroad.com.

walking around

The National Park Service maintains the only road leading into the park. The 92 miles are mostly gravel roads that run parallel to the Alaska Range to the former mining community of Kantishna. Typically, from late May to early September, visitors can drive the first 12.5 miles of the road to Savage River with just a park pass.

To go farther than the few dozen miles allowed in a private car, you must walk, bike, or take a school bus-style shuttle. You can take a cheaper and more flexible bus tour where you can hop on and off on your own, or you can take a narrated bus tour with a chauffeur who will create an itinerary for you. There is also a shuttle bus that travels the publicly driveable portions of the park’s roads and stops at the sled kennels and visitor center.

In summer 2024, only 43 miles of the road will be open due to rock failure (the road is scheduled to reopen in 2026). Be sure to check the National Park Service website for the latest information.

“Does the mountain show up?”: Where to see Denali

At 20,310 feet above sea level, Denali can be seen from parts of Anchorage to Fairbanks on a clear day. But sunny days can be hard to come by. National Park Service rangers stress to visitors that this huge mountain is only visible for one day in three days (this is not a hard and fast rule; They may show up for a few days, then hide for a month straight.)

Despite its height, the mountain is not visible from the park entrance, surrounding campgrounds, or nearby hotels. Miles 9 and 11 are your first chance to find it, the latter spot has a pullout and roadside commentary with information about the cliffs. There are many other spots along the road where you can see the peak of the mountain. Denali’s most iconic view is at Reflecting Pond near Mile 85, but the road to that view will be closed in 2024 unless you stay at Kantishna’s fly-in-only accommodations.

A grizzly bear digs roots while resting its cub on the gravel of the Teklanika River in Denali National Park and Preserve. (Bob Hallinen/ADN Archive)

Must open in 2024

Sled Dog Kennels: Denali is the only national park in the United States where rangers conduct winter patrols on dog sleds. But during those precious few months when there’s no snow on the ground, the dogs are tasked with a variety of duties, including educating tourists, posing for photos, and getting belly rubs. Their kennels are free to visit and handlers can talk about how their sled dogs are made. (Bonus: There are usually lots of puppies there who are training to become full-fledged sled dogs.)

Denali National Park Visitor Center: If you arrive by train, the visitor center is one of the first buildings you’ll see. This is the park’s main information center, with exhibits about the park’s history and the animals found outdoors in the boreal forest. There are also a variety of ranger-led activities and hikes that depart from there.

Adventure sports and scenic flights: In the storefronts of Glitter Gulch, a half-mile stretch of road near the park entrance, various operators advertise all manner of escapes. Activities range from ATV rides and zip lines near the park to rafting on the Nenana River and scenic flights around the mountains. Find an itinerary that matches your interests and budget.

Wonder Lake: This is where Ansel Adams’ famous mountain photo was taken. When Denali is clear of cloud cover, its reflection in the water below makes Wonder Lake a popular spot for photographers. However, it is only accessible to those staying in Kantishna this season, as it is located 85 miles down Denali Park Road.

Caribou graze along Park Road near Wonder Lake in Denali National Park and Preserve. (NPS Photo/Emily Messner)

Scheduled to reopen in 2026

The National Park Service announced that the road at Mile 43 will remain closed through the 2026 season. But if you’re making plans for late summer, put Eielson Visitor Center on your list. Located on Mile 66 with shuttle access to the Eielson Visitor Center. On a clear day, the views of Denali are stunning. Three maintained trails extend from the center, but hikers are welcome to veer off-trail. The center also has a small art gallery with works depicting Denali’s natural surroundings.

where to stay

Denali National Park has four campgrounds that will be accessible in 2024. Riley Creek (park entrance), Savage River (21 miles), Sanctuary River (37 miles), and Teklanika River (46 miles).

These sites range from 7 to 53 tent-only campsites, with the exception of Riley Creek, which has 150 sites suitable for camping and RVing. There are only a few campsites within the park, so early reservations are highly recommended. For more information, visit reservedenali.com.

There are also many hotel, cabin, B&B, and hostel options for those visiting Denali National Park. Many are clustered just outside the park entrance, some are at the end of park roads, and many more are in nearby towns.

Accommodations at the end of the park road in Kantishna are secluded but not too wild. Places like Denali Backcountry Lodge, Kantishna Roadhouse, and Camp Denali are located 140 miles from within the national park, but they don’t skimp on amenities like running water, electricity, heat, and private bathrooms (of course). There is no Wi-Fi or mobile phone reception). These lodges are typically much more expensive than the options at the park entrance and are usually all-inclusive. During the 2024 season, these properties will be fly-in only.

Outside the park, the options are wide-ranging. The Crow’s Nest consists of cozy cabins terraced into a hillside, with stunning views of Mt Healy as you climb. Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is one of his largest lodging options with premium amenities such as espresso. A bar, dinner theater and laundry service are available. For more accommodation options, visit denalichamber.com.

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