The Tallest Peak in North America: Denali National Park & Preserve

Covering over six million acres within the interior of Alaska, Denali National Park & Preserve was established in 1917 to protect its diverse wildlife. The park’s main attraction is the unspoiled wilderness reaching in every direction, with pristine forests, beautiful lakes, wild rivers, and the tallest peaks in North America. At higher elevations the topography changes to bare rocks, large glaciers, and deep snowpack clinging to the breathtaking Alaska Range.

Denali is open year-round, yet most of the visitors arrive during the summer months (June through August) when the paved road is clear, campgrounds and area lodges are open, and tour operators are leading adventures to the many special places in the park. Amazingly, the park is roughly the size of Massachusetts but only has one road that stretches 90 miles through the park, and a trail network that is concentrated around the two visitor centers. The best way to see the amazing landscapes and wildlife is on a narrated bus excursion, an activity that is extremely worthwhile and will last a majority of the day.

Travel Tip: All of the points of interest in the park are described by their mile marker and measured in accordance with the distance traveled from the park entrance. From May to September, private vehicles are only allowed to travel approximately 15 miles— to the Savage River Area. To reach Eielson Visitor Center and beyond, you must travel by bus, bicycle, or on foot. During the peak months, reserve your bus tour or bus transit ticket well in advance.

Things to Do

• Narrated tour bus excursions along the only road in the park are one of the most popular activities in the park, and are a great way to experience Denali without spending days on the trails. The national park operates three types of bus tours (1) Natural History Tour – 4.5 hours (2) Tundra Wilderness Tour – 8.0 hours (3) Kantishna Experience Tour – 12 hours. All tours offer either a snack or full lunch.
• Experience the remoteness of Alaska on an epic hike in the park. Most of the trailheads can be found at the two visitor centers and are relatively short (less than 2 miles) and consist of rough-uneven terrain. The longest marked trail in the park, Triple Lakes, is just over nine miles in length. Off-trail hiking is another option and may initially feel daunting; however, the adventures can be extremely rewarding with preparation, experience, and awareness. Check with the Wilderness Access Center for backcountry permits and advice on current conditions.
• Visit the Denali Visitor Center at Savage River (mile marker 15) and the Eielson Visitor Center (mile marker 66) for park information, watching park films, and to learn about ranger programs. Ranger-led hikes and sled dog demonstrations are two of the favorite programs offered in the park.
• Take a multi-night biking and camping trip along the 90-mile Denali Park Road. Plan for all types of weather and road conditions— the reward is an unforgettable scenic ride that is sure to include wildlife viewing and amazing landscapes around every bend.
• The National Park Service does not operate any overnight accommodations in the park, with the exception of campgrounds. To increase your chances of seeing Denali due to frequently overcast and uncooperative weather, camping is the best option for an extended stay. The Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River campgrounds can accommodate RVs (under 40’ in length). All other campsites are restricted to tent campers and only accessible by a transit bus.
• Travel to Kantishna, a remote area of the park with a rich gold mining past and the farthest point reachable on Denali Park Road. Today, the remote area is home to a few lodges and cabins available for overnight stays. While in the area, visit Fannie Quigley’s historic cabin and learn about the challenges faced by early pioneers and miners.
• Capture an iconic photo of Denali and the Alaskan Range from the Wonder Lake area. On a clear day, expect to see many tripods just north of Wonder Lake Campground at Reflection Pond.

Wildlife Observation

 Many of the animal species hang out in predictable areas depending on the time of year and temperature— ask the park rangers at the visitor centers. In general, there are many large mammals thriving across the varied habitats found in the park. Visitors have a better than average opportunity of seeing grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and Dall Sheep. Small mammals are frequently spotted— from foxes to marmots and several curious species of squirrels. Avid bird watchers might have to revisit their copy of the “Birds of North America” identification guide, the variety is quite impressive.