Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve spans six million acres of breathtaking, unfenced wilderness, nearly half the size of Switzerland, with just one road running from east to west. Whether you choose to stay by the roadside or venture further afield on foot, bike, skis, or dog sled, the wilderness calls to explore. From the lowland taiga forests to alpine tundra inhabited by bears and wolves, this landscape showcases nature at its finest.
Denali captivates visitors with its dramatic scenery, crowned by North America’s tallest peak, and its remarkable wildlife. You can discover its wonders in many ways during the peak season from May 20 to mid-September. Options include bus tours along the 92-mile Park Road, independent or guided hiking, and climbing expeditions into the backcountry. You can also rent a mountain bike, join an ATV or Jeep tour, or navigate the park’s wild rivers with a canoe or raft.
For an aerial perspective, local companies like Denali Summit Flight and Fly Denali offer flight tours, with Fly Denali holding special permission to land on the park’s glaciers. As you explore, keep an eye out for Denali’s captivating wildlife, including the Big Five: grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. The park also hosts the world-famous Iditarod sled dogs, where you can visit the kennels and enjoy sled dog demos in the summer or join dog sled tours in winter.
Winter at Denali offers activities like biking, skiing, snowshoeing, or seeking out the Northern Lights. The winter season kicks off in September or October when the snow typically closes the Park Road from Mile 3 onward.
Unlike other U.S. national parks, Denali has few marked trails. Most originate from the Denali Visitor Center near the park’s entrance, with others to the west: two near Savage River, three at Eilson Visitor Center, and one at Wonder Lake. These trails are generally less than two miles long.
Exploring Denali is best done off-trail, allowing you to hike in any direction from the Park Road and return as needed to flag down a shuttle bus. To go off-trail, join a Discovery Hike led by park rangers, available once or twice daily from June 8 through the end of summer. These guided hikes vary in difficulty and length, and you must register at least a day in advance. Alternatively, you can hike independently, ensuring you pack enough food, water, weather gear, and bear spray—and know how to use it.
The Park Road serves as the gateway for off-trail hikes and a route for sightseeing by vehicle. From May 20 to mid-September, park buses provide trips of varying lengths along the road, fully operating from June 8. Choose between narrated buses offering tours from 4.5 to 12 hours and non-narrated transit buses that allow passengers to board or disembark anywhere along the road. Both types of buses stop for restroom breaks, scenic views, and wildlife sightings.
In summer, you can drive a private vehicle along the first 15 miles of the Park Road to Savage River. The first stretch is paved, while the remainder turns to dirt and gravel. In spring (April to May 19), private vehicles can venture up to 30 miles into the park, depending on snow clearance. After summer, up to the snowfall, private vehicles can again travel up to 30 miles. On the second weekend after Labor Day, the Road Lottery offers permits for private vehicles to traverse the entire road.
For avid mountaineers, Denali’s summit is a key draw. Towering at 20,310 feet, it is North America’s highest peak. Only skilled climbers with experience on glaciated mountains should attempt the climb, familiar with glacier travel, crevasse rescue, and Arctic camping. The climbing season runs from late May to early June, taking about 17 to 21 days in total. Various routes lead to the summit, with the West Buttress being the most popular and least technical.
Climbers can join a private expedition or one of seven authorized guided concessions. A Special Use Permit is required, registering 60 days ahead of the expedition start, and attendance at an orientation session with park rangers is mandatory. Registration opens on January 1 each year for the mountaineering season.
There are no official National Park Service lodges in Denali. Private accommodations are available near the park entrance or in Kantishna, at the heart of the park’s wilderness. Recommendations include:
The park entrance is where the Park Road meets Alaska Highway 3 on the eastern boundary of the preserve, approximately three hours southwest of Fairbanks and 5.5 hours north of Anchorage. From May to September, the Park Connection Motorcoach operates a same-day service from Seward to Denali. Trains also connect Fairbanks (four hours) and Anchorage (eight hours).
Most shuttle and tour buses have wheelchair lifts, reserving front seats for passengers with mobility issues. It’s advised to indicate these needs when booking a ticket. If park buses cannot meet your mobility needs, you can apply for a road travel permit to drive the Park Road. Rest stops in the park feature accessible bathrooms, and Riley Creek campground provides accessible campsites. The park brochure is available in text-only, audio-only, and Braille formats.
