Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map
The incomparably beautiful Denali is the pinnacle of many travelers' Alaskan visits. The park holds six million acres of lakes, tundra, peaks, and wildlife dominated by North America's highest peak and interrupted by a single 90-mile road.
In Denali there are plenty of hotel accommodations located near the park entrance, as well as more exclusive lodges within the park. Another option is to camp. There are six campgrounds located within Denali National Park, and three of them allow RVs. Additionally, there are several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds near the park entrance.
It's a good five-hour drive up to the park from Anchorage, and you'll find a number of scenic highlights and activities along the way-here are a few of our favorites:
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Driving Guide
Anchorage to Talkeetna Turnoff (Glenn Hwy 1 and Parks Hwy 3)
Forty minutes from downtown Anchorage lies Eagle River Nature Center, a gateway to Chugach State Park and a glacial river valley as wild and dramatic as any in Alaska. Enjoy an easy, 3‑mile nature walk on the Albert Loop or trek up-valley 5 miles to see plunging waterfalls and 3,000-foot cliffs. In winter, traverse the trails on cross-country skis or snowshoes.
Who can say no to a cool waterfall only a half-hour’s drive from town? One of the most popular “first hikes” for families with small children, the one-mile trail to Thunderbird Falls traverses a handsome birch forest along the Eklutna River canyon to reach a deck with views of a 200-foot waterfall. During winter, the falls can freeze, forming fabulous columns of blue ice.
Dating back to 1650, the park is the area’s oldest continuously inhabited Athabaskan Indian settlement. Russian Orthodox missionaries came here in the early 1800s, and you can still see St. Nicholas Church, the oldest standing building in greater Anchorage. Snap some pictures of the colorful Spirit Houses build over the graves of the deceased‑a custom that came from the melding of the cultures. Up for a walk? It’ll pay off with a glacier… ...more
Transport yourself to the Alaska of the past in this museum and historic town site. Check out mining digs as you travel down stairs painted like an old mine shaft. Then learn about the hard-rock gold mining in Hatcher Pass during the 1930s. View artifacts from Athabascans, learn about dog mushing, and walk through a historic dentist’s office. The main museum building, once a community center for basketball games and church services, now tells… ...more
Dedicated to the technology that opened the Last Frontier, this museum is a gearhead’s dream. And it’s pretty darned interesting even if you aren’t into trains, planes or heavy machinery. Set on 20 acres, you can wander through old train cars, around commercial fishing boats and cars and explore old farm and oil machinery. Or head inside and learn about Alaska Pioneering women, gold mining and aviation. Only four miles from downtown Wasilla,… ...more
This is one of Alaska’s few flat state parks. And because it’s studded with lakes, it’s a great place to take a summer canoe trip or winter cross-country or snowmobile expeditions. The state has created several different loops — complete with portage routes and cabins — that make for easy, multi-day adventures. Another unique feature of this park is its mostly deciduous forest. In the last century, fires burned the big spruce trees; in their… ...more
The Official Race Start begins in the town of Willow on the first Sunday in March. Come see the mushers head out on “The Last Great Race” and get a feel for a small-town Alaskan winter. The race begins at 2 p.m., with mushers leaving the gate every two minutes. Several thousand fans show up to cheer on the 60 to 70 dog teams; vendors selling food and souvenirs set up at the Willow Community Center. There’s usually a shuttle from Wasilla, and… ...more
Explore the rivers of southcentral Alaska on a float or fishing trip guided by Hell Bent Fishing Charters. Raft along a scenic river hiding away just minutes off the road system. It fits perfectly into a half day or full day, when you want to step out of the hustle and bustle of your vacation and into authentic Alaska.
Go for a relaxing 3‑hour float trip down gentle Willow Creek as you take in the gorgeous scenery of the Alaskan backcountry. Departing from Pioneer Lodge, just off the Parks Highway south of Talkeetna, you’ll board a raft with up to 6 others and an expert guide. Then just kick back, or grab a paddle if you like: You can expect easy-gliding Class I and II rapids on this gentle river.
Surprise! This bridge over the Susitna River appears without warning, so if you want to stop and see this huge drainage, slow down and pull off the road at either end. Alaskans call it the Big Su. We fish it, paddle it, and snow machine its frozen braids. Bush pilots even navigate by this river. The Susitna River winds its way over 313 miles of Southcentral Alaska; this old railroad bridge crosses the water on the eastern edge of Denali… ...more
It’s Milepost 98.9. Why should you care? Because if you make the turnoff — right where the wooden grizzly stands on its hind legs — you’ll be on your way to one of Alaska’s funkiest little towns: Talkeetna. In fact, driving this 14-mile path — the Talkeetna Spur Road — is kind of like following the white bunny down the rabbit hole of Alaska. One reason: that huge mountain that you’re always in the shadow of. Yes, this is where climbers base… ...more
Sample delicious syrup and sweets made from birch trees — like maple but not maple ‑at Kahiltna Birchworks in Talkeetna — the world’s largest producer of birch syrup. Stop in or shop online to experience this unique, local spin on a tempting treat. Located at mile 1.1 of the Talkeetna Spur Rd, just off the Parks Highway
There’s still gold in Alaska, and you can learn from Denali Gold Tours what it takes to pan for the shiny flakes in pristine water near Trapper Creek. Spend a half-day or full-day in the gorgeous Alaska countryside with your guide, who will share old-timer panning techniques and stories from the dramatic days of Alaska’s gold rush.
Talkeetna Turnoff to Denali National Park
Trapper Creek is a major intersection of the Parks Highway and Petersville Road, with gas stations, restaurants, and a post office. Known locally as the southern gateway to Denali State Park, Trapper Creek only had 423 residents at last count. Excellent outdoor recreation opportunities in both the summer and winter draw visitors from all over the state. Of course, Denali (Mt. McKinley) can be seen from numerous locations on the highway and… ...more
This lodge offers spectacular views of Mount McKinley and is situated within Denali State Park on the banks of the Chulitna River. Rooms offer nine-foot ceilings and fans; some offer amazing mountain views. When you’re not in your room, relax in the Great Room with its huge stone fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows. Or, step outside and stroll one of the three nature trails, either on your own or on a guided, park ranger-led walk.
One of the best Denali (McKinley) viewpoints on a clear day. Also picnic sites, bathroom, and 9 campsites.
Geographic features are often named on a whim. This mountain was called Mt. McKinley for many years, named after a US President. In 2015 the mountain was renamed Denali, the Athabaskan word meaning “the high one.”
This trail follows Troublesome Creek .3 miles down to where it enters the broad, glacial gravel bar of the Chulitan River. Marvel at the Ent-like Grandaddy Cottonwood, just five minutes down the trail. The trail’s end has been swept away by floods, so it can be confusing, but the adventurous can keep going onto the Chulitna’s gravel bar to look for wildlife, tracks, or views of Denali. The large-leaved plants along the trail are Cow Parsnip and ...more
This is the southernmost trail that leads to Kesugi Ridge. On average, it takes a hiker 4 hours to get above the treeline. This trail is often closed due to flooding as well as bear activity for the safety of its hikers. Please check with Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources to make sure that the trail is open to hikers before starting this trip.
During periods of clear weather, this route through Denali State Park offers similar terrain and scenery to Denali National Park — including unparalleled views of Denali — without the cumbersome permitting process. This trail system offers many options for starting and ending points, as there are four trailheads along its length.
2019 UPDATE: Trail, day use area, kayak tours & rentals, and public use cabins are open, but the main campground will be temporarily closed beginning in 2019 due to the danger posed by trees infested with spruce-bark beetles. Rotting trees have been toppling. State parks plans to reopen the campground after the hazardous trees have been removed. This is one of four trails that lead to Kesugi Ridge. From the Denali State Park campground at ...more
73 camping sites, 3 public use cabins, and hiking trails. Guided day hikes, kayak rentals, and kayak tours available.
This trail is the northernmost trail that provides access to Kesugi Ridge. On a clear day, Little Coal Creek Trail takes you to amazing views of Denali (Mt. McKinley). It also gives you those views in the shortest amount of time, about 1.5 hours, of any of the access trails to Kesugi Ridge.
This is one of four trails that lead to the high Kesugi Ridge along the Parks Highway about an hour north of Talkeetna. The trail begins in a forested area and ends up above the tree line looking down on muliple drainages. The view at the top is wonderful, so bring a camera! It takes about 2 hours on average to get above treeline.
Fantastic views of Denali (McKinley) on a clear day. Picnic area, bathrooms, and 20 campsites.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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