A 92-mile road crosses Denali National Park and Preserve, offering opportunities to observe landscapes and wildlife, as well as to camp and hike in the backcountry. The Denali Park Road runs parallel to the Alaska Range and passes through low valleys and high mountain passes. The park covers six million acres of wilderness; glaciers cover 16 percent of its area. Along the road, visitors can experience a range of landscapes and ways to explore the park.
Getting Around the Park
In summer, private vehicles may travel the first 15 miles of the Denali Park Road, as far as the Savage River. Most of the road is normally open only to buses in summer; specific dates vary from year to year. Check the season dates and bus schedules for the relevant year before your trip. The distance you plan to travel makes a difference when choosing between driving yourself and taking a bus.
A bus ride on the Denali Park Road generally offers the best chances for wildlife viewing, although sightings remain unpredictable. The Eielson Visitor Center is 66 miles into the park and can be reached by shuttle bus. Those who want to explore on foot can also venture into Denali’s trail-less wilderness, away from marked routes. Ranger-led Discovery Hikes lead into the heart of Denali. A 9.5-mile trail connects the Tsenesdghaas Na’ Trailhead near Mile 231 of the George Parks Highway (Highway 3) with the Denali Visitor Center Campus.
Winter Trails and Sled Dogs
Winter activities in Denali include cross-country skiing, winter biking and snowshoeing along sled dog trails or the Denali Park Road. Sled dog routes made during winter fieldwork are also used by recreational skiers and snowshoers, as well as by people traveling with their own dog teams. Since the 1920s, sled dogs and rangers have worked together to protect the park’s wilderness.
The Denali kennels offer free summer sled dog demonstrations from May 15 through mid-September. The Murie Science and Learning Center serves as Denali’s winter visitor center. Denali Winterfest is also part of the annual calendar: the community-wide event is supported by the National Park Service, the Denali Borough and local partner organizations.
History in the Park
The Kantishna Roadhouse is the oldest surviving building in Denali National Park and Preserve and represents Kantishna’s mining history. Another chapter in the area’s history began on June 7, 1913: on that day, Walter Harper, Harry Karstens, Hudson Stuck and Robert Tatum became the first to stand on the summit of Mount McKinley, climbing the highest peak in North America.
Things to Do in Denali Borough
In the Healy area, recreational activities include boating and paddling, hiking, ATV tours, berry picking and biking, as well as dog sledding, snowmobiling, skiing, horseback riding and golf. This variety adds activities offered in the Healy area to the experience of exploring the park road.
The George Parks Highway and the Alaska Railroad run through Denali Borough. Another route is the 135-mile Denali Highway, a historic and scenic road from Paxson to Cantwell. It connects the Richardson Highway near Paxson with the Parks Highway near Cantwell. Check road conditions and seasonal maintenance before setting out.
The City of Anderson Riverside Park is located on the Nenana River and offers campsites, restrooms, showers, RV hookups and a covered pavilion. Otto Lake Park is the only lakeside park in Denali Borough; its facilities include a sandy beach, a pier and a boat launch. Facilities may change, so check the latest information before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Cantwell, Mckinley Park, Healy, Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Petersburg Census Area, Nome Census Area, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Juneau.
For the main travel overview: Alaska.
