Where?
Your best chance to see bears lies between mile 20 and 60 of the Park Road, with the Sable Pass area at mile 39 being the sweet spot. Since the Park Road is closed to private vehicles after mile 14, your options are to ride the Park Shuttle or take a private bus tour offered by several concessionaires.
The Bears
We hesitate to include Denali in our list of bear viewing locations, because unlike fly-in bear viewing hot spots, 1) you’re less likely to see them, 2) you may see only one or two, and 3) they may be far away. Yet both the Interior grizzly bear and black bear can be spotted from the road. Grizzlies or black bears may be spotted digging up roots and eating sedges, chasing down small critters or ambling across wide-open tundra. You are in a huge, protected wilderness, and seeing a massive, blonde grizzly grazing the tundra or sauntering across the road in front of your bus is truly a stirring moment.
Viewing
You’ll be looking for bears, and other wildlife, from the windows of your bus. If you spot a bear, let the driver know, and they’ll stop. At this point, it’s great to have binoculars. Unless you choose to get dropped off by the Denali Park Shuttle Bus for a hiking or camping trip, you’ll be confined to the bus and won’t be wandering around on the ground too much. You can opt for bus rides ranging four hours to more than twelve hours.
Season
Since the bears in Denali are not timed to certain salmon streams, you have a chance of spotting them anytime the Park Road is open, which generally runs from the first week of June to the second week of September. Peak season is June 11-Sept 8.
Park Road Tours View All
These are the busses you'll ride into the park for bear and other wildlife viewing.
This tour is an adventuresome alternative to a bus ride into the park. Denali ATV Adventures offers several tours that let you explore the areas surrounding Denali National Park. On your journey, you’ll splash through rivers, drive over tree root-rutted trails, and four-wheel up to some of the area’s most spectacular vistas. Drive your own ATV, or be the passenger and enjoy the ride.
Get the insider’s perspective on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from veteran musher and Alaskan celebrity Jeff King, who has claimed first place four times. He will regale you with tales from the trail and introduce you to his dogs during a tour of his sled-dog training center, the Husky Homestead. Here, for more than two decades, Jeff has offered visitors a look at what goes into creating a championship team and carving a life in the Alaska ...more
The Denali Bluffs is the closest to park entrance. The lobby greets you with a warm fireplace and large windows that look out onto the patio. If it’s a nice day, sit outside and enjoy a meal at the Mountaineer Grill & Bar. The 112 original Hillside Rooms and the new 64 room addition, the RiverView Premium Rooms, are nestled in to the shoulder of Sugarloaf Mountain, above the Denali National Park entrance. The hotel is designed to make ...more
Step inside and the first thing you’ll notice is the historic photos and animal pelts covering the walls, giving the place a real Alaskan feel. But this is no museum — you come here for great pizza and beer, and this place delivers. First off, they take pizza seriously: the dough is aged for 24 hours, then goes into a traditional oven for wood-stone hand-baking.
Riding the train in Alaska is a relaxing and fun way to take in amazing sights around every bend, and many travelers choose a dome car for the best viewing experience. When you’re headed north of Anchorage, hop on a Wilderness Express private dome car for deluxe viewing at great value.
Winter in Alaska is a magical time, with fewer visitors and a serene, snow-covered landscape. If you’re here from mid-September to mid-May, you can take it in from the comfort of the Aurora Winter Train, which runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks. It’s an easy and memorable way to travel north and experience the aurora borealis, or even do a weekend getaway to Talkeetna.
Drive your own 4‑wheel all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on this exciting off-road journey through the backcountry adjacent to Denali National Park. Black Diamond puts you in control: stop whenever you want, take pictures of the spectacular scenery, and laugh as you experience Alaska as it was meant to be: rough and wild. Explore old coal-mining trails and spill out onto the Dry Creek River Bed, then head high up on Black Diamond Peak to take in the ...more
Imagine teeing off under the midnight sun, surrounded by the Alaskan wild. The relaxing environment, fresh mountain air, and spectacular panoramic scenery make playing Black Diamond’s nine-hole golf course a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This course was built in 1995, right on top of the Alaskan tundra. The rugged grass is challenging, but designed for easy driving (via power cart) or walking. Hazards include moose-hoof prints, tundra marsh, ...more
People visit Denali National Park for two main reasons: to see Denali (Mt. McKinley) and to view wildlife. While neither experience is guaranteed, your odds of seeing wildlife are good if you know where to look. Here are the top spots to see bears, wolves, birds, and more.
An exclusive lakeside oasis with hideaway cabins accessible by car and only 7 miles south of Denali National Park entrance. In addition to luxurious accommodations, you can enjoy the art gallery, artisan bakery, and spacious lawn with a campfire circle and a lovely view of the Alaska Range.
It’s 92 miles and about 5 hours from the park entrance to Kantishna, the end of the Park Road. Private vehicles aren’t permitted after Mile 15, so you’ll need to take either the hop-on, hop-off park shuttle bus or one of the tour buses. This road is only open in the summer months between May and early September. Dates vary depending on annual snowfall.
The Black Diamond ATV Treasure Hunt backcountry adventure, just outside Denali, offers both a skilled guide and a splash of think-for-yourself adventure. Your ride can be fast and exciting or slow and leisurely — it’s up to you. Unlike some other ATV trips, you don’t have to do the driving; a pro is at the wheel of the Polaris ATV. You’ll explore old coal-mining trails and the Dry Creek River Bed, where Athabascan Indian artifacts have been found ...more
How unique is the 49th State? For starters, it’s the only brewpub restaurant here that serves Alaskan yak, in the form of a yak burger. Or tuck into the buffalo meatloaf, a specialty. Don’t miss the housemade Bavarian pretzel. And Fridays bring a special treat — a pig roast, with a pig from a local farm, roasted in ale and smoked over alder wood
This is the only flightseeing company with an airstrip in Kantishna, inside Denali National Park. Because you depart so much closer to the mountain than other tours, in a one-hour flight, you’ll get 40 minutes circling the mountain. You may also combine a one-way park road bus tour with a Denali flightseeing tour for an incredible overview of the park.
36 miles west of Denali (Mt. McKinley), Mt. Russell is one of the major peaks of the Alaska Range — and one of the most dramatic. To give a sense for its size and steepness, it rises over a vertical mile above the Chedotlothna Glacier to the northwest in less than two miles. It rises two miles above the Yentna Glacier to the south in only 8 miles. Overshadowed by its massive neighbors, only six ascents of the peak had been recorded by 2001.… ...more
The farm-to-table menu features fresh seafood, including weathervane scallops and Alaskan oysters. And Chef Thomas Chapman knows what to do with them. Classically French trained, he has served as chef for Team Europe at the 2012 Ryder Cup and been a teaching chef for Sur La Table. His ethos is quality over quantity, only purchasing the finest quality seafood from small fishing operations.
At Camp Denali, you’ll immerse yourself in a remote backcountry, but with a cozy bed to settle into each night. Take in the quiet of the surrounding wilderness and enjoy the simple, sustainable amenities for around 38 guests. Here, the balance of “light touch on the land” and providing a comfortable stay is perfected. Refined rustic guest cabins, each of which claims a unique view of Denali, sleep from two to six people.
The open-concept public house offers classic food with a shot of Alaska flair. The public house’s specialty is slow-smoked brisket, but the locally sourced menu also offers bacon-wrapped bison meatloaf, caribou burgers and fresh, local sheefish. Wash down your dinner with one of 12 local brews on tap and cocktails such as the American Trilogy (including Alaska made spirits) and a Smoked Salmon Bloody Mary.
Just outside Denali National Park, the Nenana River offers a unique rafting experience: The river is big and icy cold, with glacially fed waters. But this rafting outfitter based near the Park Entrance offers a soul-warming experience on the river, which makes an excellent counterpart to a bus tour through the national park. Choose a quick 3 hour trip on mild water or splash through some rapids. Or opt for a longer excursion ranging from 5.5 - ...more
How and where to find Alaska’s glaciers — some of the state’s most beautiful natural attractions
The Cabin Nite Dinner Theater, performed out of the Denali Park Village, offers a true-to-life Gold Rush tale of Alaskan adventures in the early 1900s. Enjoy songs, dance, humor, and a large family-style meal topped off with berry cobbler.
Step aboard Princess Rail, whose cars have two levels with 360-degree dome views, a dining area, and large open-air platforms at the rear. You may choose to ride as an independent traveler, or with a larger package that will include lodging at the Princess properties along the way.
Experience the thrill of rushing rapids or a mild whitewater float through one of America’s great wilderness areas with rafting from Denali Park Village. Operating on two stretches of the Nenana River for nearly 30 years, this company’s guides not only know the area, but also are versed in its natural history. Their guide safety training program is among the most extensive in Alaska. Add to that a private riverside launch, a brand-new boathouse, ...more
Explore all 92 miles of the Denali Park Road and have the entire trip narrated by an experienced driver. Not only will you see legendary landmarks such as Polychrome Pass, Wonder Lake and Reflection Pond, you will have opportunities to see the abundance of wildlife in the park. Enjoy a hot lunch, explore the grounds, pan for gold, or take a short walk along the creek, or relax in a rocker at the lodge and soak up the scenery.
Traverse Alaska can craft fully-guided custom adventures, or set you up on a trip into the Alaska wilderness arming you with some know-how — and providing you with the independence to freely explore. Traverse Alaska’s owner, Joe and his local team can help facilitate stays in lodges, cabins, tents or yurts, and provide the necessary gear and instructions..
This show at the McKinley Chalet Resort tells the story of the first ascent of Mt. McKinley. Laugh, eat, and be merry while the actors and actresses do double-duty as your servers for an all-you-can-eat meal of salmon and ribs.
Set on a hill, this 166-room hotel offers a bright, contemporary version on the classic rustic lodge style with native Alaska art in the lobbies. The lodge features a vaulted ceiling, comfortable lounges facing a stone fireplace, gift shop, tour desk, guest laundry, courtesy shuttle service and the Alpenglow Restaurant. The rooms feature colorful Alaskan décor and, at about 300 square feet, are some of the largest in the area. For even more ...more
Soaring high at 20,310 feet is Denali (formerly named Mt. McKinley after an Ohio Senator who never visited Alaska). The mountain was renamed Denali in 2015. Equally impressive are its nearby cousins: Mt. Foraker (17,400), and Mt. Hunter (14,573). These three dominate the skyline for hundreds of miles. You can get up close and personal with the “Roof of North America” on a flightseeing tour. Up here, you are surrounded by ridges and peaks,… ...more
Denali Air flights see the majestic mountain a whopping 90% of the time, thanks to the company’s experienced pilots and its location just outside the park. And, everyone is guaranteed a window seat. Listen to your pilot narrate while you enjoy the views.
Either drive your own car or take the free shuttle 15 miles out the park road to the Savage River check station. This is a popular hiking trail, and you won’t be alone, but at least you’re away from the entrance area and entering the true wilderness of Denali National Park. This is a tundra walk on a developed trail that follows the river. Good hike for kids, with possibility of seeing Dall sheep, marmots, and caribou. You can do a loop walk, ...more
Fly Denali is the only company north of the Alaska Range with a permit to land on glaciers inside Denali National Park. The result is a world-class flight-seeing trip, with landings on Denali’s glaciers.
This popular trail attracts lots of folks, so don’t expect to be the only hiker. It’s still worth the trip. The trail begins at Mile 0.9 on the park road near the railroad tracks. You’ll walk on a developed trail down to the lake. After you reach the Overlook, the trail drops steeply. Along the way, especially at the overlook bench, you’ll have a panoramic view of the Nenana River, the development called “Glitter Gulch” right outside the park, ...more
The only same-day service between Seward and Denali National Park! Enjoy the ride aboard a deluxe motorcoach with comfortable seats, picture windows, in-seat power outlets, and an onboard restroom. Offering regular scheduled summer service connecting Seward, Whittier, Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Denali, plus special cruise connections on ship days.
Stop into Fannie Q’s Saloon for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You’ll find dishes inspired by the area served in a modern saloon setting. And, in the evenings, enjoy live entertainment. Popular dishes include Bison sliders and a braised pork shoulder.
Kantishna is a historic goldmining district in the backcountry of Denali National Park. Among the most remote areas of the park, you can stay in a cozy cabin and spend your days playing, exploring and relaxing in the wilderness. Kantishna Roadhouse is the only lodge in the area with a full-service saloon.
Located seven miles from the park entrance, the comfortable accommodations at Denali Park Village are far enough from the park’s hustle and bustle that you can focus on Alaska’s natural treasures.
Go flightseeing over Denali National Park in a very unique way: via helicopter. Lift off on a 50-minute flight —landing the helicopter on a glacier, putting on special boots, and going for a walk on the frozen landscape to get an up-close look at it. Or, visit Bus 142, made famous by adventurer Christopher McCandless. Flightseeing in a helicopter is much different from in a plane — learn all the benefits of this great way of checking out the ...more
If you’re dying to try famous Alaskan salmon in a landmark setting, this is truly the place to do it. Known as “The Bake,” this restaurant has been open since 1984. Just a mile from the park, it’s Denali’s original roadside attraction.
A lot of people swear to it: the best way to see Alaska is from an airplane, and there may indeed be no better way to get close to the face of Denali. This one-of-a-kind flightseeing operator makes it easy to see up close to the Great One without spending a great deal of time.
This is your chance to experience the spectacular scenery along the Denali Highway, a road recently ranked #2 worldwide as a ‘Drive of a Lifetime’ by National Geographic Traveler Magazine. You’ll be given the opportunity to take the wheel, or if you prefer, just sit back and enjoy stunning views of the peaks and glaciers of the central Alaska Range. There is a guide in the Jeep up front, but you can stop wherever, whenever, and as often as you ...more
For a lot of travelers, exploring deep into Denali National Park, far from the crowds, sounds like the ideal way to experience the famous park. But not everyone wants to rough it out there — which is why this lodge is the perfect balance, a comfortable perch in seriously remote wilderness.
Denali is an absolutely stunning park — full of amazing wildlife and unforgettable scenery. And the best way to get an overview is aboard one of the park buses, which feature a trained naturalist who both drives and provides narration.
Overlook the Nenana River in rustic elegance at the McKinley Chalet Resort, a recently remodeled upscale hotel just one mile from the Denali Park entrance. Heavy on cedar, the lodge has several buildings tucked into forest, all connected by boardwalks, and this Swiss chalet feel makes it more intimate than its 478 rooms suggest. Choose from deluxe rooms or upscale, cedar-lodge mini-sites. The “upper” rooms at the McKinley Chalet have great views ...more
The family-run Denali Grizzly Bear Resort offers a variety of accommodations, great amenities, and amazing views of mountains and the Nenana River. And its location, six miles south of the Denali National Park Visitors Center but outside the main tourist area, means you’ll have easy park access without feeling crowded. Choose from their hotel rooms, private cabins, or campground.
Denali’s glaciers are high in the mountains of The Alaska Range. Here are the most impressive, and the flight tours to see them!
To get a real sense of old-time Alaska, climb into Black Diamond’s family-friendly Covered Wagon Adventure for a trip through time. While guides fill you in on the area’s history and natural treasures, you’ll be pulled by two draft horses through the Alaskan tundra, with the mountains of nearby Denali National Park hovering overhead. Hear the history of this coal-mining area as you pass through the wilderness.
Go on the typical zipline and you get a lovely ride under a canopy of trees. But with this unique zipline tour — the only one in the Denali National Park area— you ride above the tree line, so that you can take in sweeping, 360-degree views of miles around, including the tundra and the Alaska Range.
This train travels through the forested areas north of Anchorage into the boreal forest, and eventually into the tundra regions further north. On a clear day the train will slow down to allow you to see beautiful vistas of Denali. You may also spot wildlife along the way. Day Trip from Anchorage: Talkeetna Day Trip from Fairbanks: Denali Multi-Day Trip from Anchorage: Talkeetna, Denali National Park, and / or Fairbanks Multi-Day Trip ...more
One of the reasons Princess has risen to be the largest cruise and tour company in Alaska is the huge investment they’ve made in their lodges. The spacious new main building of the Denali Princess Lodge is a prime example with a 50-foot mural of Mount McKinley, grand staircases, and a 65-foot fireplace. The resort offers casual and fine dining, an expansive deck overlooking the Nenana River and Denali National Park, and a long list of amenities. ...more
Forget the trailhead on your next hike. Instead, take a short but very scenic helicopter ride to a special wilderness area just outside Denali National Park and start your trek from there. Your guide will lead your small group on a soft-adventure hike above the tree line, with sweeping views. You’ll learn about identifying animal tracks and the local flora and fauna, and of course have the opportunity to spot wildlife like bears, moose, and Dall ...more
Traverse Alaska creates custom tours in the Denali National Park area that allow travelers to enjoy the magic of Alaska at their own pace. Winter itineraries include iconic Alaskan cold-weather activities in Southcentral and Interior Alaska. After all, Alaska in winter is a very special time of year — quieter, full of snow-frosted trees, and frozen snow-covered ground creates an outdoor playground in every direction.
These mountains lie in the central Alaska Range, roughly 120 miles east of Denali (Mt. McKinley). To the east of the Parks Highway and north of the Denali Highway (the gravel highway that connects Cantwell to Paxson), they are relatively inaccessible and seldom climbed. In this video, we follow pilot Jim of Denali Air into the range and a mountain kindgom equally spectacular to Denali and the mountains to the west – just not as well known. ...more
Take in the scenic views from the domed windows in the private McKinley Explorer railcars by Gray Line Alaska. Independent travelers can book a seat, but most opt for a multi-day package including hotel and transfers. Enjoy excellent service from your car manager, who will point out sights and scenery along the way. Dine in the restaurant located just beneath you, and don’t miss a thing as you continue to gaze out of large picture windows. ...more
Most people who visit the six-million-acre Denali National Park only see roughly the first dozen — or maybe 50 — miles of the legendary park Road. But this tour takes you all the way to the depths of Kantishna — the heart of the Park where you have the chance to experience postcard-perfect views of Mt. McKinley. This tour makes for a full day — from about 6 in the morning until 7 or 8 in the evening — but it’s an adventure of a lifetime.
The 20 miles before Kantishna offers views of hundreds of small kettle lakes. These lakes provide critical habitat for moose, birds, and beavers. What are these animals after and how do the lakes provide? Audio tour by Camp Denali Wilderness Lodge.
Teklanika (aka “Tek”) River Campground is can be found at mile 29 on the Denali Park Road. It is the second largest campground in the park, offering 53 sites for RVs and tents.
Denali National Park’s population swells each spring with an influx of seasonal employees. They work for the park service as rangers, visitor center and museum staff, groundskeepers, and other professionals, as well as in private tourism-related businesses. But a handful live here year-round and they see a different side of Denali in when most of the park’s visitors have gone. Contrary to popular belief the park doesn’t completely shut down… ...more
This trail starts with a climb up a fifty-foot bluff then drops back down to cross Sunshine Creek. Dall sheep are often seen on the surrounding mountainsides. There is a long, beautiful, rocky canyon that is a great place to camp.
Once you leave the Wonder Lake campground, you’ll pass the aptly named Reflection Pond as the road begins its descent towards the north. From here you can get fantastic photos of both Denali (Mt. McKinley) and Foraker reflecting off the surface of the pond, especially early and late in the day when the water is the smoothest.
In Summer (mid-May to mid-September), The Denali Star Train services Anchorage, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. Depot closed in winter.
This high-energy restaurant at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge offers some pretty laid-back pursuits. Sit out on the deck and watch rafters float down the Nenana River while sipping Denali Red, a beer brewed specifically for Princess by Alaska Brewing Company. Or dig into a gourmet burger while soaking up late-afternoon sunshine and views of the National Park and Healy Mountains. Of course, the inside of the restaurant is pretty nice… ...more
You enter the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier — the world’s deepest. The ice is 3700 feet deep, some of it more than a thousand years old. The surrounding walls soar 4000 – 5000 feet above. Were the ice to melt tomorrow, you would witness a spectacle twice as awesome as the Grand Canyon — a gorge a mile wide and nearly two miles high. Watch for climbing camps…These may be the world’s most impressive granite monoliths. You’ll stare in disbelief at… ...more
Wonder Lake is a somewhat unlikely lake. Learn how the lake was formed, and what makes it so unique.
Check out our weekly breakfast or dinner specials to plan that morning or evening out.
Both peaks of Denali (Mt. McKinley) are visible to southwest, framed by Double Mountain and Sable Mountain. At this point on the drive, taiga disappears into tundra and waist-high thickets of willow and birch. That in turn stretches into alpine tundra that includes lichens and mosses.
This sectioned bridge sits at an elevation of 2,655 feet. Park at the rest stop a few hundred meters before the east edge of the bridge for great views of the structure and the surrounding area.
Only 33 miles from the summit of Denali, and at an elevation of 3300’, Eielson offers some of the most spectacular views of Denali (formerly Mt McKinley). There are many activities you can do here, including ranger-guided hikes up to nearby Thorofare Pass and self-guided expiration of the high-alpine tundra environment.
At the Wilderness Access Center, you can purchase bus tickets and all park shuttle buses depart from this building. This is also the place to reserve a spot in the various park campgrounds. Additionally, inside you will also find a gift shop, coffee stand, and an information desk.
From mid-September to mid-May, the Murie Science Learning Center serves as Denali National Park’s winter visitors’ center. It’s open from 9am to 4pm and provides an array of park exhibits and movies. You can talk with rangers about current trail conditions, borrow a pair of snowshoes, and get backcountry permits for overnight trips. Head out to explore trails from the center or drive a couple miles further up the park road to the Park… ...more
From the trailhead at the Eielson Visitor Center, hike well-marked switchbacks to the top of Thorofare Ridge. At the top, you’ll enjoy views of Denali and wide-open tundra.
Rock Creek is the first of many waterways that the Denali Park Road crosses. In constrast to many glacial fed rivers, Rock Creek is contained in a defined channel at this point. Just upstream of the bridge is C Camp, a maintenance site for the area that has had ongoing clean-up efforts to contain and dispose of contaminated soil.
The Chulitna River flows to the south out of a huge valley from Broad Pass, one of only two breaks in the Alaska Range Mountains, where the highway, the train, the geese, and the river, all pass on their way to Cook Inlet. It offers a chance for a float of 75 miles and can take as little as 3 days in kayaks but can be a nice 4 or 5‑day trip. Canoes and kayaks are fun on the upper but tippy on the lower section. There are three forks of the… ...more
Ever been curious to experience life as a homesteader? You’ll get a taste of it at this lodge set on 14 acres south of Denali National Park. Choose from handcrafted lodge rooms or individual cabins.
Sanctuary Campground is a 7 site campground located at Mile 23 on the Park Road. It is open only to tent campers.
Originally constructed by the Alaska Road Commission in 1924 – 1925, the Savage cabin and interpretive trails are now used as part of living history presentations in the summer months. During the winter the cabin become strictly utilitarian by providing shelter for patrols.
Cross the Tokositna River which marks the southeast corner of Denali National Park. Look for tents or rafts next to the river. While difficult to access — even by bush plane — this area is a prime place for camping, exploring, and to begin a raft trip down the Tokositna River to Talkeetna. Out the left window, you can look south to the Peters & Dutch Hills, an active gold-mining area since the early 1900s. A winter wagon road from Talkeetna… ...more
The Alaska Railroad was responsible for opening this national park to the public since it provided the only access to the park for many years. The Railroad owned and operated the McKinley Park Hotel from its early beginnings and eventually turned over to the National Park Service for operations. After a fire destroyed the hotel, rail sleeper cars provided a novel lodging opportunity for visitors.
Riley Creek Campground is a 147 site campground located just inside the entrance to the park.
Take an easy hike on a well-maintained trail from the Wonder Lake Campground to the McKinley River. This is part of the historic route that climbers used to access Denali (Mt. McKinley). Look for wildlife along the way, especially when you get close to the river.
Last view of Denali during first few miles of Denali Park Road
Tattler Creek is named for the Wandering Tattler, a large shorebird that you may be lucky enough to spot. The first Wandering Tattler nest known to science was found at Denali National Park. The first nests of the Arctic Warbler and Surfbird were also found here.
You’ll traverse the spine of the north side of the Alaska Range for about 15 minutes, then fly through a mountain pass known as the Tralieka Col, back to the south side of the range. You’ll pass by the foreboding East Face of Denali (its only major unclimbed face) and descend down the West Fork of the Ruth Glacier. Look for pyramid-shaped Mt. Huntington off the right window, thought by many to be the most picturesque peak in North America.… ...more
Although most viewpoints along the Park Road can only be accessed by private tour buses or park shuttle buses, you can drive to this viewpoint (the first 15 miles are open to private vehicles). The dense spruce forest opens up here, giving you the first view of Denali, as it is called in the native Athabaskan language (formerly Mt. McKinley). The mountain is roughly 72 miles away and you’re only seeing the top 8,000 feet or so. Still, it’s a ...more
Denali is one of the coldest mountains in the world. Temperatures on the mountain can be as low as negative 40 degrees with winds of 80 to 100 miles per hour in the summer. The West Buttress, South Face and Muldrow Glacier routes are the most popular. You should travel in groups of four or greater and carry provisions for 2 weeks longer than you plan on being there. Each person going should be a highly skilled climber in their own right. The… ...more
If you’re headed to the dog demonstration at the kennels, or if you just want to stretch your legs, try walking this wide, comfortable trail through the forest, up to headquarters from the Visitor Access Center. It basically follows the road, occasionally wandering out of sight of the traffic. Length: 1.8 miles Elevation: 300 ft. Time: 45 – 1 hr. one way
Experience the backcountry of Denali National Park in a way few others do. You’ll board a bus from the Visitor Center and disembark just before Sable Pass and then immerse yourself in the wild Alaska landscape. Recommended for intermediate backpackers and beginner packrafters.
This northernmost section of the Parks Highway, paved and open all year, takes you through small towns and stretches of wilderness.
Caribou trails weave back and forth across the alpine slopes above Stony Hill. These trails are evidence of the seasonal migration patterns of Denali’s caribou. Find out why caribou undertake this migration, and where you can expect to find them depending on the season. Audio tour by Camp Denali Wilderness Lodge.
Here is the junction of the Parks and the Denali Highway. The Denali Highway is approximately 135 miles long stretching from Paxson to Cantwell, connecting the Richardson and Parks highways. Before the Parks Highway was completed in the early 1970s, the Denali Highway was the only road access to Denali National Park.
Beavers can often be seen here, usually early in the morning or later at night. The Park Service provides picnic tables and toilets on the south side of the road just after you cross the bridge. Stay as long as you like during the day, but no camping is allowed in the immediate area.
The Kahiltna Glacier is the longest in the Alaska Range — a 45-mile long river of ice! You’ll cross it 35 miles up it, at an elevation of 5500 feet above sea level. See any dark specs on the surface of the glacier? Those are the climbers and tents of Denali (Mt. McKinley) basecamp! Most climbing expeditions begin here. A base camp manager coordinates communications between climbers and air taxis. During the busy climbing season, there can be… ...more
A great place to catch a glimpse of Dall Sheep, Igloo Mountain is also where the first dinosaur tracks in the park were discovered. You can see them yourself, if you go on one of the many easy day hikes that start here.
Mention Healy and inevitably the conversation veers toward the Usibelli Coal Mine. It lies just a few miles east of the highway and employs nearly 100 people year-round. They send their coal to power plants around Alaska and export it to Pacific Rim countries. Healy school children nicknamed the mine’s dragline “Ace-in-the-Hole.” The dragline is the largest mobile land machine in Alaska and moves massive amounts of dirt.
This hike does not require crossing any glaciers or dangerous streams, which makes for a good overnight hike for those who carry an overnight camping permit.
Sable Pass on the Denali Park Road is a wildlife hotspot. The area is designated as critical grizzly bear country in Denali National Park, so it is permanently closed in order to protect wildlife.
Polychrome Pass gets it’s name from the colorful volcanic rocks that you can see from the overlook, but the name could also be applied to the colorful vegetation, streams, mountains and glaciers that make this spot unique. This high overlook is a great spot to watch bears, moose and caribou from far enough away that you won’t risk disturbing them.
An iron bridge crosses Moose Creek here. If you take a moment to observe the creek you’ll notice that the rushing waters are clear and full of grayling, quite the opposite of glacial fed waterways that appear milky due to the high sediment content.
Denali National Park is full of rivers, with many of them originating from glaciers. What makes these rivers special? Why are they braided and what keeps them from just straightening out?
There is gold in the hills above the historic settlement of Kantishna. A comparatively small gold rush in this part of Alaska indirectly foretells the establishment of the original Mt. McKinley National Park. How did mining activity nearly push wildlife populations to the brink? Audio tour by Camp Denali Wilderness Lodge.
You enter the Sheldon Amphitheatre, named after a bush pilot who built a viewing hut here on the glacier before it became a national park. You can stay here for $100 a night. It has a wood stove and bunks 6. If you opt for a glacier landing, this is where you’ll likely land. You’ll step out of the plane and onto an ice sheet nearly a mile thick. The scale of the Amphitheatre is hard to fathom. You’ll feel like you can reach and out touch the… ...more
The Don Sheldon Mountain House may be the world’s most spectacularly situated cabin. Perched on a 4.9 acre rock and ice covered outcrop located at the 5,800 foot level, in the middle of the Don Sheldon Amphitheater just above the Ruth Gorge, it is surrounded on all sides by towering granite walls and glaciers flowing off the flanks of Denali, less than 10 miles away. It’s used primarily from March through October by photographers, skiiers, ...more
Open weekdays, 6a.m. — 5p.m.
This informal hiking area begins at the Primrose rest area and heads up a gentle ridge until you reach the bench, which provides panoramic views of the park. Wildflowers are abundant in this area and usually peak between July 20 and August 10.
This flexible alternative to the standard bus tour is a great option for independent travelers. Get off anywhere, spend a few hours hiking, then catch another bus back to the park entrance (as long as a seat is available). You can take a short ride before starting your adventure, or travel out to Kantishna, at the end of the park road.
It’s a 5‑hour drive up to the park from Anchorage, and you’ll find a number of scenic highlights and activities along the way
Built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Wonder Lake historic ranger station was built to serve as quarters at the west end of the road. Today it primarilly serves visitors. The Park staff use additional structures for summer housing. The compact site has individual ranger bunkhouses, a headquarters building, a shop, a pump shed, and a few other miscellaneous small structures. Eight Park rangers are on site from mid-May to… ...more
Harry Karstens was the first ranger of Denali National Park. He arrived in early summer 1921, and established his headquarters on the northwest bank of Riley Creek, an ideal spot for monitoring visitors using the trail leading into the park. In 1925, the headquarters moved to it’s current location at mile 3.4 of the Denali Park Road.
If you’ve ventured this far into the park, why stop here? In this area of the park you are encouraged to use old mining roads and established trails to get around. Skyline Drive takes you up into the Kantishna Hills, providing access to Quigley Ridge and the Wickersham Dome. You will be passing through chunks of private property that were grandfathered into the park so it is best if you don’t leave the road until you are on the ridge. Once you… ...more
A 0.3 mile loop departing from the Eielson Visitor Center in Denali National Park allows visitors to explore the alpine tundra.
Only a few miles from the end of the Denali Park Road (85 miles in, about 5 hours by bus), this is the classic Denali view from the north side, made famous by Ansel Adams’ photographs. 25 sites.
In a strip of restaurants pumping out good meals, 229 Parks stands alone as creating fine dining-quality meals using the freshest, highest quality ingredients. They are committed to quality, and the menu changes often to reflect what is fresh or in season. That could be berries, mushrooms, fish or greens. Their salads are excellent, as are the entrees. If you order small plates, you’ll get to sample more of the menu! They also do pastries and ...more
The Savage River campground is laid out in a patch of trees that are just below the treeline. Weather dependant, you can see Denali (Mt. McKinley) far off in the distance.
If you choose an “Around the Mountain Tour” (circumnavigates the mountain), you’ll ascend over the top of the Kahiltna Glacier and on to the north side of the Alaska Range. Look to the right, and you’ll see the 14-mile-wide Wickersham Wall. From the peak it’s 17,000 feet down, one of the greatest unobstructed vertical drops in the world. Considered a death route, the Wickersham has been climbed only a few times. A Romanian ski instructor skied… ...more
Head either direction on the Teklanika Riverbed. The river bar is really wide in this area so the going is generally easy, even though you’re still below tree-line. Choose to go as far afield as you like. There are numerous route options.
The grizzly bears of Denali can be found feeding in almost every corner of Denali National Park. Early to mid summer, these bears can be often observed from Thorofare Pass. What draws these adaptable and persistent omnivores to this high alpine environment? Audio tour by Camp Denali Wilderness Lodge.
Denali Ranger Kris Fister, a 30-year veteran of the National Park Service, and a Camp Denali Lodge naturalist share some fascinating stories and things to look for along the Denali Park Road.
What you’re able to see of the Muldrow Glacier from the park road is actually just the tip of a 32 mile long river of frozen ice. The Muldrow Glacier is the park’s longest and it is a great example of the power these behemoth ice masses have on the landscape. Much of the lower reaches of the ice are covered in dirt and rocks that have been scoured off of the neighboring mountains on the slow journey from Denali’s (Mt. McKinley’s) flank.… ...more
The fall moose rut is an unforgettable part of the interior Alaska fall. In Denali, the Eielson visitor center gives visitors a year round window into this dramatic event through the display of two sets of interlocked moose antlers. How did these antlers become locked, and what likely happened to the two unlucky bull moose? Audio tour by Camp Denali Wilderness Lodge. ...more
The Denali National Park Visitors Center is actually more of a campus. The center itself is the main National Park Service welcome and information center and it is surrounded by other facilities that include a restaurant, bookstore/giftshop, bag check, bus stop and the Alaska Railroad depot.
This is an unmarked, unmaintained trail and can be difficult to follow, but is a good example of the real outdoors in Denali National Park.
Pick up the trail right after you cross over Tatter Creek. Follow Tattler Creek upstream for 1⁄4 mile to a steep ravine that comes in from the left. Follow this ravine up until you reach a ridge that overlooks the Sable Pass restricted area. If you only plan to spend time on the ridge without going farther afield you may want to stock up on water in the ravine because there are no sources on the ridgeline. From the ridge you can choose to… ...more
Blueberries and mountain views dominate Broad Pass. Watch for moose and caribou, too. And berry pickers in the fall. This is the highest point on the Parks Highway.
Flying down the medial moraine of the Ruth Glacier is mesmerizing. This 25 – 50 foot high ridge of rock debris looks like an excavation pit that extends for miles down the center of the glacier. Keep on the lookout for deep blue pools of ice melt. Look for lateral moraines on the sides of the glacier and the terminal moraine at the toe of the glacier… You’ll know the terminus of the Ruth when you see it: the contortions of earth and ice resemble… ...more
On a clear day, this stretch of the park road offers unparalleled views of Denali and the other high granitic peaks of the central Alaska Range. What role do glaciers play in carving out the ever growing shape of this mountain range? Audio tour by Camp Denali Wilderness Lodge.
You can begin hiking at Mile 231 Parks Highway, on the west side of the road, where there is a small pullout for parking. The trail climbs steeply, and crosses the Alaska Railroad tracks. Then, the trail moderates and emerges from the forest to a grand view of the Nenana River and the Alaska Range looking south toward Windy Pass. From there the trail loops around the ridge and follows a series of three scenic lakes. Eventually, the park plans ...more
The Savage River was carved out by glaciers, and as a consequence it is a perfect example of a braided river. The flat gravel bars of the river offer a great opportunity for an easy hike, and minimize the chance of surprising a bear or other wildlife.
Overlooking the Nenana River and Nenana Canyon, this restaurant offers a menu with dry-aged steaks, chops and Alaska seafood: feast on your favorite cooked-to-perfection steak or try some of the locally-sourced Alaska seafood, including sustainable jig-caught Alaska rockfish. Pair your dinner with a local craft beer, something from the extensive wine list, or one of the handcrafted signature martinis.
The first mile of this trail, which begins near the new Murie Science and Learning Center, is moderately steep, hiking through the forest. The forest eventually gives way to tundra. Trees turn to shrubs, and the landscape opens wide. The last 1.5 miles are even steeper. Your reward, however, is sweeping views of the Denali National Park entrance area, the Nenana River Valley, Healy Ridge, and nearby alpine ridges. Those who want to climb to the ...more
This bridge is the connection between southcentral Alaska and the interior of the Territory. The bridge represents an engineering marvel for the day and age it was constructed, and is as strong today as when it was constructed nearly a century ago.
Hike 2 miles roundtrip from the Eielson Visitor Center to the Gorge Creek and Thorofare River Bars. Beyond the end of the trail, you can continue off-trail and reach backcountry camping units within the park.
Not far from the Toklat River Bridge you’ll find yourself at the top of Highway Pass, the highest point on the park road at 3,980 feet. The vistas are expansive and wildlife viewing can be great.
The Nenana River, a glacial river, forms the eastern boundary of Denali National Park and is possibly the most popular river rafting destination in the state. It offers a variety of levels of difficulty and has a thriving commercial rafting industry that operates 2 hour, 4 hour and overnight trips for locals as well as out of state tourists.
It isn’t until you actually drive past the headquarters area that you will begin to enter the wilderness for which you have really come. During the winter months, the road is closed at this point. Only non-motorized travelers, such as mushers and skiers can go further. This is taiga forest, filled with white spruce and black spruce, interspersed here and there with quaking aspen, paper birch, balsam poplar and tamarack. This is moose habitat… ...more
Hikers will descend bluffs and cross Intermittent Creek, Glacier Creek and Crystal Creek. There are freshwater streams for drinking water but boil all of it. There are places to camp that require an overnight permit. The views are spectacular.
Igloo Creek is one of three tent-only campgrounds in the park. Situated right next to the creek, it is a great place to relax and enjoy the wilderness and the area around the campground offers great hiking opportunities.
Vegetation cover in Denali is always changing. Find out why the forests around the Toklat River are changing, and how the Park Service uses historic photos to document these changes. Audio tour by Camp Denali Wilderness Lodge.
The scenic, essential 323-mile-long Parks Highway connects Anchorage and Fairbanks, threading its way past some of Alaska’s most iconic Alaskan areas, including Denali National Park and Mt. McKinley. But we’ll take you far beyond what you can see from the road. We’ll also show you some of the hidden gems you wouldn’t find on your own, like an old trapper’s cabin that offers a glimpse into Alaska’s past. We’ll let you in on cool trails to… ...more
Spindly spruce trees lean this way and that, looking as if they’re drunk. The actual cause of this odd alignment has to do with their shallow root systems, which get readjusted by the nearly continuous expansion and contraction of permafrost under the tundra surface. Permafrost is a layer of frozen ground, sometimes more than 6 feet thick, that never thaws. Without it, much of the tundra would be completely impassable.
Mile 43 Denali Park Rd, small cabin is visible down the embankment on the south side of the road
The Alaska Railroad offers scenery, wildlife, and history; get our audio guide to all the highlights along its route.
This is the most photographed view of Denali (Mt. McKinley) from the road. You’re up high, at the edge of a mountain pass, and there’s alpine tundra all around, with the road snaking towards the mountain in the foreground. And this is the first spot where you can see the whole mountain from base to summit. On clear days, Tundra Wilderness Tours will extend their trip several miles just to reach this spot. Stony Hill is also a great place to… ...more
Most Notable Bear Viewing Spots
These are the most common areas to spot bears along the Denali Park Road
Sable Pass on the Denali Park Road is a wildlife hotspot. The area is designated as critical grizzly bear country in Denali National Park, so it is permanently closed in order to protect wildlife.
Igloo Creek is one of three tent-only campgrounds in the park. Situated right next to the creek, it is a great place to relax and enjoy the wilderness and the area around the campground offers great hiking opportunities.
The grizzly bears of Denali can be found feeding in almost every corner of Denali National Park. Early to mid summer, these bears can be often observed from Thorofare Pass. What draws these adaptable and persistent omnivores to this high alpine environment? Audio tour by Camp Denali Wilderness Lodge.
This hike does not require crossing any glaciers or dangerous streams, which makes for a good overnight hike for those who carry an overnight camping permit.