8 Day Talkeetna & Denali National Park Basecamp

From Anchorage, travel to charming Talkeetna by car (2 hours), train (3 hours), or bus (2.5 hours). Then explore the one-block main street, ducking in and out of the quaint shops and restaurants, like the legendary Talkeetna Roadhouse, which has been around since the early 20th century. And take a tour. You're close to Denali, so go flightseeing and check out the mountain up close; you could also take a guided walk, a rafting trip, try ziplining, or go for a thrilling jetboat ride.

You have all day today to explore charming Talkeetna. Enjoy another meal at the Roadhouse, explore the century-old general store, and imagine what it was like to be a trapper or miner here back then. And try an activity you didn't do yesterday. A jetboat ride, for example, speeds you deep into the wilderness where you can look for wildlife and see an authentic trapper's cabin. Or simply go for a hike; you'll find several great trails nearby, including one that loops around the town itself.

Depart from Talkeetna for iconic Denali National Park, either by car (2.5 hours), train (4.5 hours), or motorcoach (4 hours). Head to the park's visitor center to start getting acquainted with this vast expanse of nature. And try an activity! Go flightseeing and get a bird's-eye view of the vast Alaska Range as well as the summit of Denali. Enjoy some river rafting, go for a guided hike, or take a Jeep/ATV tour and drive yourself over the tundra.

Today, you'll spend all day exploring the beauty of this park. Private vehicles are not allowed beyond mile 15, so you'll explore by bus. Opt for the National Park Service's hop-on, hop-off transit bus, or take a narrated tour. Spend 7-8 hours traveling 62 miles into the park on the Tundra Wilderness tour, or take 12 hours and go all 92 miles to the end, at Kantishna. Along the way, look for wildlife and of course, North America's tallest peak.

An alternative to a bus on the Park Road is to ride a bike! Bike Denali offers afternoon, full-day, and multi-day rentals. Bike from the park entrance, or put your bike on a shuttle to catch a ride into the park and then pedal out!

You have another full day in Denali! Now that you've seen the length of the Park Road, spend this day taking a tour. You've got a lot of options. Go flightseeing and get a bird's-eye view of the vast Alaska Range as well as the summit of Denali. Enjoy some river rafting, go for a guided hike, or take a Jeep/ATV tour and drive yourself over the tundra. Tonight is a great chance to experience dinner theater: It's a great meal, a fun show, and a dose of Alaskan history all at once.

Take another day and really soak in the beauty of this world-famous park: You'll never grow tired of gazing out at the craggy, snow-capped peaks. Of course, this is also another opportunity to go on an exciting excursion. Opt to experience ziplining, Alaska-style. Or discover the thrill of dog sledding, even in summer. You'll meet real Iditarod mushers and their competitive dogs, hear their stories, then get on a sled with wheels for a fun ride through the forest.

If there's time in the morning, take advantage and squeeze in an extra tour. Many activities have half-day options, while others, like flightseeing, can be short but spectacular—the perfect sendoff for your Alaska experience. After that, it's time to make the trip back to Anchorage. If you're taking the train, it departs at 12:30 pm and gets into Anchorage at 8 pm.

Take today to explore Alaska's largest city. Walk or bike the dramatic, 11-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Go on a city tour via trolley or bike to get an overview, or join a brewery tour and sample some of the innovative suds being brewed here. Then get an in-depth picture of the city and state at the Anchorage Museum, or visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center for a dose of history and culture. Don't forget to pick up some souvenirs before you leave!