tourist attractions in denali

23 Best Things to Do in Denali National Park

With over six million acres of untamed wilderness, you will find an endless array of things to do in Denali National Park. From hiking, camping, and white river rafting to capturing breathtaking wildlife and landscape photos, Denali is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top activities in Denali National Park, ensuring your visit is filled with excitement, wonder, and unforgettable memories.

Table of Contents

The Best Activities in Denali – Our Experiences

We’ve visited Denali several times and still can’t get enough of this park with its wildness and unusual attractions. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Denali National Park so you can choose the activities that best suit your interests and itinerary. There are no tricks with us. Chris and I have experienced most of these activities and share first-hand information with you.

Our top 5 Denali National Park activities include the narrated tour bus, hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, and flightseeing tours. But we show you much more: 23 top things to do to choose from. Check out this infographic below, where we share some numbers about Denali.

As you begin to plan your adventure in Denali, we invite you to read in-depth articles we’ve compiled based on several visits to Denali over the last few years:

• A detailed guide to visiting Denali in 2024 explains how to see and get around this park.
• The best places to stay in Denali – accommodation for every budget, also with hotels that offer a free shuttle if you want to reach Denali by train or bus from Anchorage .
• The best hiking trails in Denali with their location, difficulty level, and tips.
• How to prepare for camping in Denali and which of the 6 NPS campgrounds to choose.
• What season is the best to visit Denali , considering what is open in the park?
• Tips for spotting wildlife in Denali and how to prepare for wildlife encounters.
• Detailed itinerary on how to spend three days in Denali .
• The best scenic flights over Denali include helicopter tours and plane tours with glacier landings.
• The Ultimate Alaska Packing List for Summer Adventures
• The Best Denali National Park Tours.

Denali Attractions in 2024

Some of Denali’s attractions listed below might be off-limits in 2024 due to ongoing park improvements . The Denali Park Road will be accessible up to Mile 43. Don’t worry, though — if an attraction is temporarily closed, we’ll keep you updated in our article.

Despite these changes, there’s still a wealth of experiences awaiting you in Denali. During our last visit in June 2024 amidst the park’s enhancements, we found no shortage of exciting activities.

1. Gateway to Wonders: The Denali Visitor Center

You should definitely start your trip at the Denali Visitor Center . It’s the perfect introduction to the activities of Denali National Park. Here, you can view exhibits, participate in ranger-led programs, gather important information about the park, or get free maps.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted with a wealth of knowledge. Interactive exhibits vividly depict the park’s various ecosystems, from the high peaks to the dense forests and meandering rivers.

Moreover, a network of well-maintained trails surrounds the center. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a more challenging hike, these trails offer a glimpse of the park’s flora and fauna.

Our Tip: If you plan to go camping, off-trail hiking, or backpacking in Denali (which activities we describe below), the Visitor Center is the best place to ask rangers about the current situation. Ask about weather risks or wildlife hazards.

2. Enjoy Denali Bus Tour Adventures

There is only one 92-mile road in Denali, and you can only drive your car to mile 15 between mid-May and mid-September. So the best way to explore the park is by the Denali bus system . You can book a transit bus or a narrated bus tour. We think the bus tour is the best thing you can do in Denali National Park, especially if you are visiting for the first time.

A Denali Bus Tour is one of the top activities in Denali, as you can experience the park’s vastness, observe wildlife in its natural habitat, and learn about its rich history from knowledgeable guides. Every turn offers a new spectacle as the bus winds through the park’s vast terrain, from the dense green forests to the shimmering rivers to the majestic Mount Denali itself.

But it’s not just about the views. One of the standout features of these bus tours is the knowledgeable tour guides. With their passion for Denali and a wealth of information, they tell of the park’s history, ecosystems, and the wildlife that calls it home. Speaking of wildlife, the bus tour is a unique opportunity to spot some of the Big Five of Denali .

Our Tip: Book your chosen tour in advance via the official reservation system . We recommend the longest one, which is the Tundra Wilderness Tour in 2024. Thanks to this, you will experience most of the highlights.

3. Nature’s Playground: Exploring Savage River Area

Among the many attractions in Denali, the Savage River Area stands out. Ideal for short hikes and picnics, it offers stunning views and opportunities to spot wildlife.

Located at Mile 15 Savage River Area, it is often dubbed “Nature’s Playground.” This spot marks the last mile visitors can reach by car, making it a unique blend of accessibility and untouched wilderness. For those without a vehicle, don’t worry. A free shuttle service conveniently transports visitors to this natural wonder.

The Savage River Loop Trail is one of the best hiking trails in Denali. We love this 2-mile trek, which offers panoramic views of the river set against the backdrop of the Alaska Range. It’s a haven for casual walkers and seasoned hikers alike. Watch for ground squirrels, Dall sheep, and even caribou as you wander.

Our Tip: Whether you want to drive or take a free Savage River Shuttle to mile 15, we recommend the morning hours. On this route, you can see many moose among the trees, which are especially active in the morning.

4. Trail Treasures: Hiking in the Heart of Denali

Hiking is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Denali National Park. With trails ranging from easy to challenging, there’s something for everyone.

We have prepared a detailed guide about the best hikes in Denali , including trailhead location and how to get there, distance, and difficulty level. We also provide some essential hiking tips, what to pack, and how to behave in a bear country.

The Horseshoe Lake Trail is a great starting point for those new to Denali. This relatively short loop offers serene lake views, opportunities to spot beavers at work, and a gentle terrain suitable for families.

The more seasoned adventurers might opt for the Mount Healy Overlook Trail. This challenging hike rewards with breathtaking views from the overlook, capturing the vastness of Denali’s landscapes. One of our favorites is McKinley River Bar Trail at Mile 85 in the Wonder Lake area.

Our Tip: Pack a detailed trail map and carry bear spray in Denali. Maintaining a safe distance from wildlife and respecting the animals’ natural habitats is essential.

5. Starry Nights: Camping Experiences in Denali

In our experience (we spent several nights at Igloo Creek Campground and three nights at Riley Creek Campground), camping in this park is one of the best ways to explore Denali. There are six campgrounds to choose from along Denali Park Road. But in 2024, only 4 are open.

Camping in Denali is like having a front-row seat to nature’s grand theater. But be prepared for this adventure because it is a wilderness area. There is no electricity, no running water, and no showers. You must be prepared for encounters with wild animals.

Safety is paramount in Denali. Campers are advised to store food safely and clean the campsite to avoid attracting wildlife. While the allure of the wilderness is great, you must be equipped with the proper gear, especially given the unpredictable weather in the park.

Our Tip: Book the selected campsite several months in advance, as getting a spot in the season is a problem. You can get to the chosen campground with a free camper bus. Check out our detailed packing list for camping and backpacking in Alaska.

6. Spot the Majestic: Denali’s Big Five

One of the top attractions in Denali is its wildlife. From grizzlies to moose, spotting the “Denali’s Big Five” is a thrilling experience. Although we have visited Denali several times, we have not yet been fortunate enough to see wolves.

Moose, grizzly bears, and caribou were frequently spotted during our wildlife viewing trips. The unpredictability of wildlife watching is its charm – you never know when or if you will see an animal. To avoid repeating ourselves, we suggest you take a look at our guide with wildlife-watching tips in Denali . We’ll tell you where they’re most common in the park and which trails you can use to see Denali’s Big Five.

Our Tip: Never approach wild animals. Admire them from a safe distance. Please don’t feed them, don’t provoke them. Pack your lightweight binoculars .

7. Untamed Trails: Off-Trail Hiking Adventures

For those looking for a more rugged experience, off-trail hiking offers a chance to explore the lesser-known parts of Denali National Park. Unlike traditional trails, off-trail hiking in Denali requires finding your own path, allowing you to experience the wilderness more intimately.

We’ve experienced this activity, which is one of the best things to do in Denali National Park if you’re an experienced hiker. You must have a permit if you want to stay for a night in the backcountry. For a day hike, you don’t need it. Here’s what you need to know:

• There are no marked trails, so navigation is critical. You should be comfortable with a compass and map. GPS Devices are helpful but shouldn’t be used alone because of possible signal interference.
• The terrain in Denali can be unpredictable. You might encounter dense vegetation, river crossings, or steep climbs. Proper footwear with good ankle protection and waterproof features is a must.
• Going off the beaten path increases the likelihood of encountering wildlife. Always keep a safe distance. Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it can be a lifesaver.
• With the freedom of hiking off-trail comes the responsibility to have as little environmental impact as possible. Stick to solid surfaces, avoid trampling on sensitive vegetation, and Leave No Trace .
• Preparation is key, so inform someone of your planned route and expected return time—pack essentials such as extra food, water, a first aid kit , and an emergency shelter . The weather can change quickly, so layered clothing and rain gear are important.

Our Tip: Although hiking off-trail promises complete freedom, there may be restrictions in some regions of the park for environmental reasons. So, ask in visitor center about current regulations.

8. Wilderness Wandering: Denali Backpacking Escapades

For adventure seekers, backpacking through Denali’s wilderness is a dream come true. It’s a unique way to explore the park’s untouched beauty and is a top activity in Denali. However, backpacking in Denali is recommended only for those with prior experience. The park’s rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and remote nature demand skills beyond essential hiking. Here’s what potential backpackers need to know:

• Obtaining a permit is mandatory before embarking on a backpacking trip in Denali. This ensures the park can monitor the number of visitors in specific areas and minimize environmental impact.
• Route Planning: Denali doesn’t have designated backpacking trails, unlike many national parks. Instead, backpackers navigate their routes using topographic maps and compasses . This freedom allows for a unique experience but also requires advanced navigation skills.
• Denali is home to various wildlife, including bears, wolves, and moose. While these encounters can be exhilarating, knowing how to handle such situations safely is crucial. Carrying bear-resistant food containers and understanding animal behavior is essential.
• Pack Smart: Given the remote nature of Denali’s backcountry, backpackers must be self-sufficient. This means carrying all necessary supplies, food, tent, sleeping bag, water purification methods , emergency shelter , and adventure medical first aid kit .
• Weather Preparedness: Denali’s weather can change rapidly. You should be prepared for various conditions, from sunny days to sudden snowstorms, even in summer.
• Leave No Trace: Backpackers should follow Leave No Trace principles . This includes packing out all trash, minimizing campfire impact, and respecting the land and its inhabitants.

Our Tip: Even if you have backpacking experience in other national parks or other areas, take Denali seriously. Familiarize yourself with park rules . Check out this Water Survival Guide with Life-Saving Methods before you hit the wilderness.

9. Sky Experience: Flightseeing Over Denali’s Peaks

Soaring over the vast landscapes of Denali National Park, scenic flights offer an unparalleled perspective of Alaska’s wild beauty. From the comfort of a small plane, you’ll have a panoramic view that few get to see. Denali’s towering peaks, glaciers, winding rivers, and vast tundras.

Although the park is vast and impressive from the ground, nothing compares to flying near the highest peak in North America . Denali is truly a feast for the eyes with its snow-capped peaks and massive glaciers.

The pilots not only fly the plane but often act as guides. Their commentary, which reveals much about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife, enriches the flying experience.

Some flight tours offer an added thrill: landing on a glacier. We experienced one such flight with a glacier landing from Talkeetna , and it was a fantastic adventure. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows you to climb onto ancient ice, surrounded by the majesty of mountain peaks.

In addition, the aerial perspective provides unmatched photo opportunities to capture the vastness and diversity of Denali’s landscapes. A flightseeing tour over Denali’s peaks is one of the best things to do in Denali.

Our Tip: Book your sightseeing flight in advance , preferably at the beginning of your stay in the park. Why? Because they depend primarily on weather conditions. If the weather breaks down, the flight won’t take place. And the costs will be refunded. But you can postpone it to the afternoon hours or the next day or days.

10. Rapid Thrills: White Water Rafting

For adrenaline junkies and nature enthusiasts alike, white water rafting on the Nenana River offers an exhilarating blend of adventure and scenic beauty. Denali’s pristine rivers, fed by glacial meltwater, provide the perfect backdrop for white water rafting.

All rafting trips are led by experienced guides who put safety first. Before heading out, participants are briefed on safety protocols and outfitted with life jackets and helmets. Denali has something to offer whether you’re an experienced rafter or trying it for the first time. Beginners can opt for the calmer sections of the river, while experienced rafters can tackle the more challenging rapids.

Rafting is a group activity, making it perfect for families, friends, or solo travelers who want to join a team. Conquering the rapids together fosters teamwork.

Our Tip: You don’t have to worry about gear, as most rafting operators provide all the necessary gear, including wet suits, rain jackets, and rubber boots. This ensures participants stay warm and dry, even in the chilly glacial waters.

11. Sky-High Views: Helicopter Tours Over Denali

For those seeking a truly sublime experience in Denali, helicopter tours offer breathtaking views of the park’s vast landscapes. Unlike any other form of transportation, helicopters offer a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. As you soar over Denali, you’ll be treated to sweeping vistas of glaciers, mountain ranges, and pristine wilderness. Here you can read my detailed review of helicopter flight in Denali with glacier landing.

Helicopters have the unique ability to hover and maneuver with precision. This gives you a close-up view of Denali’s peaks, valleys, and other geological wonders that are difficult to access by land.

Helicopter pilots are not only experienced fliers but also knowledgeable tour guides. Some helicopter tours offer the added thrill of hiking in Denali. This gives you the rare opportunity to enter the wilderness, which is exclusive and difficult to access.

For photography enthusiasts, the aerial perspective offers unsurpassed photo opportunities. You can capture the intricate patterns of the glaciers, the play of light and shadow on the ridges, or the endless expanse of the tundra below.

12. Rough & Ready: ATV Tours in Denali’s Backcountry

ATV tours offer the perfect blend of thrills and scenic beauty for those who are adventurous and want to explore Denali’s rugged terrains. Chris thoroughly enjoyed this ATV tour in Denali. ATV tours take you through the lesser-known trails of Denali and give you a unique perspective of the park. You’ll ride through dense forests, cross bubbling streams, and climb hills for a panoramic view.

Under the guidance of experienced guides, you can enjoy the ride and learn about the region’s flora, fauna, and history. Whether you’re an ATV pro or a novice, there’s a tour tailored to you. Beginners receive a thorough briefing and safety instructions so they feel safe before heading out on the ATV trails.

Tour operators provide the necessary equipment, including helmets, gloves, and goggles. The modern ATVs are well-maintained and equipped with safety features to handle Denali’s rugged terrain.

Our Tip : Be prepared to get a little dirty. Riding through muddy trails and puddles is part of the fun. It’s a rugged and authentic way to experience the wild side of Denali.

13. Soar & Explore: Ziplining Adventures

For those seeking a heart-pounding, bird’s-eye view of nature’s splendor, ziplining offers an exhilarating way to experience the world from above. Ziplining sends you soaring above treetops, valleys, and rivers, providing unmatched panoramic views.

Modern ziplining adventures prioritize safety. Before taking the leap, participants are equipped with harnesses, helmets, and gloves. Trained instructors provide a thorough briefing, ensuring everyone understands the dos and don’ts. The sensation of speed, combined with the height and the wind rushing past, delivers an adrenaline kick like no other.

14. Epic Vistas: Eielson Visitor Center Insights

The Eielson Visitor Center is located deep within the park at Mile 66 and offers some of the most spectacular views. It’s a must-visit spot when considering what to do in Denali. You can get there only by transit bus or narrated tour bus. But in 2024 this area is closed for visitors.

The Eielson Visitor Center is renowned for its breathtaking panoramas. At 3,540 feet, visitors are treated to unobstructed views of the majestic Denali peak on clear days. The expansive windows of the center frame the mountain, offering a picture-perfect view. Inside the center, various exhibits provide insights into the park’s geology, wildlife, and history.

Several trails originate from the Eielson Visitor Center. Whether you’re looking for a short, leisurely walk or a more challenging hike, there’s a trail that caters to your adventure level. Each path offers its unique vantage points and experiences. Our favorite hiking trails in this area are Gorge Creek Trail and Tundra Loop Trail.

Our Tip: Beyond the exhibits and views, the center offers essential amenities for travelers, including restrooms, a bookstore, and picnic areas.

15. Lake of Dreams: Enjoy Wonder Lake

Wonder Lake is a serene spot perfect for relaxation and reflection. Its crystal-clear waters and the reflection of Denali make it a photographer’s paradise. Moreover, Wonder Lake offers one of the closest views of Denali. On clear days, the mountain’s snow-capped peak stands majestically in the distance, creating a picturesque backdrop to the lake. This area will be closed in 2024.

For those wishing to immerse themselves in the tranquility of Wonder Lake, there’s a campground nearby. But getting a spot there is challenging (we failed), so do it months ahead .

Reaching Wonder Lake requires some planning, as it’s located 85 miles into Denali Park Road. Shuttle buses and tour buses provide transportation to the lake, ensuring the area remains undisturbed by heavy traffic. But book your bus ahead as well.

16. Photo Experiences: Capturing Denali’s Grandeur

Photographing Denali Peak, North America’s highest mountain, is a dream for many. Its majestic presence is a testament to nature’s wonders. But the peak is visible only 30% of the days of the year; most of the time, it is hidden in the clouds.

But don’t worry about the weather in Denali. It can be fickle. We assure you that even on a gloomy or cloudy day, you can still capture stunning shots that showcase the grandeur and excitement of the mountains.

Beyond the peak, Denali National Park offers a plethora of photographic opportunities. Every moment is a potential masterpiece, from the vibrant hues of alpenglow at sunrise to the ethereal beauty of the Northern Lights. Wildlife enthusiasts can aim their lenses at grizzlies, moose, and eagles, capturing candid moments in their natural habitat.

The vast landscapes, dotted with pristine lakes, meandering rivers, and dense forests, provide endless backdrops for your compositions. So, pack your camera gear and let Denali be your muse, inspiring every click and frame.

17. Paws & Play: Visit Denali Sled Dog Kennels

A unique activity in Denali National Park is visiting the sled dog kennels . Denali Kennels offers a unique glimpse into the park’s history, culture, and the vital role of sled dogs in its operations. Denali’s sled dogs are more than just pets; they’re working members of the park’s team. These Alaskan huskies assist rangers in patrolling the vast wilderness, especially during the snowy winter months.

The kennels regularly host sled dog demonstrations, showcasing these incredible animals’ skills, strength, and teamwork. Watch as they enthusiastically pull sleds, responding to their musher’s commands. Visitors can interact with the dogs, petting them and even posing for photos. These friendly canines love attention and are always eager to meet new people. Through informative displays and knowledgeable staff, visitors can learn about the region’s rich history of dog sledding and its significance to the local communities.

Our Tip: During the peak season, from June 1 to early September, demonstrations are held thrice daily at 10 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm. Free shuttle services depart from the Denali Visitor Center to the kennels around 40 minutes prior to each demonstration.

18. Guardians of Nature: Join Denali Ranger Programs

Denali’s ranger programs offer insights into the park’s ecology, history, and more. It’s an educational and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.

These sessions, conducted by passionate and knowledgeable park rangers, dive deep into topics ranging from wildlife conservation to the region’s cultural history. It’s not just a lecture; it’s a storytelling session that brings Denali’s tales to life.

For families with kids, the center is a treasure trove of activities. Junior Ranger programs offer young explorers a chance to earn their badges by participating in fun, educational tasks. It’s a hands-on way for kids to connect with nature and learn about the importance of preserving it.

Our Tip: Some programs, especially ranger hiking tours, require pre-registration. Therefore, before traveling to the park, it is worth looking at the calendar in the park to see what activities are planned during your stay.

19. Exclusive Access: Win The Denali Road Lottery

The Denali Road Lottery is a golden ticket for those wishing to explore the heart of Denali National Park in their vehicles. This special event, held annually, offers a unique opportunity unavailable during regular park operations.

The Denali Park Road, stretching 92 miles, is typically restricted to park-operated buses for most of the year. However, for a few days each September, winners of the road lottery are granted the privilege to drive this scenic route at their own pace and in their cars.

Winning the lottery means you can stop, photograph, and admire the park’s breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, and vistas without the constraints of a bus schedule. It’s Denali like you’ve never experienced before. We dream of winning it.

20. Pedal Experience: Biking Through Denali’s Beauty

If you like biking and have experience riding uphill, a bike ride through the park is one of the best things to do in Denali. Since Denali Park Road is closed to private vehicles from mile 15, it’s still accessible to bicyclists. Cycling in Denali National Park offers an intimate and exciting way to immerse yourself in Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes.

Denali also offers a range of biking trails, from relatively flat park roads to challenging mountain terrain. Whether you’re a casual cyclist or an avid mountain biker, there’s a trail that’s just right for you. Biking is a sustainable way to explore Denali. It reduces your carbon footprint and ensures the park’s delicate ecosystems remain undisturbed.

If you don’t have your own bike, don’t worry. Several outfitters around the park offer bike rentals with safety equipment. They can also provide you with maps and suggest routes that are suited to your abilities.

Our Tip: Familiarize yourself with the park’s safety guidelines for cycling in Denali. Wear a helmet, carry bear spray, and be prepared for sudden weather changes.

21. Summit Seekers: Climbing the Mighty Denali

For mountaineers, climbing Denali is the ultimate challenge. It’s not just an activity but a journey of determination and will. Scaling Denali, North America’s tallest peak is a dream for many mountaineers. Standing at a staggering 20,310 feet, this Alaskan giant offers a climbing experience like no other. It’s beyond our possibilities, so just tips where you can find more on this topic. Around 1,000 climbers attempt to  summit Denali every year, with a success rate averaging 50%.

• Permits & Regulations: Climbing Denali requires a permit from the National Park Service . There’s also a mandatory orientation session for all climbers to ensure they know safety protocols.
• Preparation is Key: Before attempting the climb, it’s crucial to undergo rigorous training. This includes physical conditioning, altitude acclimatization, and honing technical climbing skills.
• Route Options: The West Buttress Route is the most popular and considered the least technical. However, other routes, like the Muldrow Glacier and Cassin Ridge, offer varied challenges for the more experienced.
• Leave No Trace: Denali National Park emphasizes environmental conservation. Climbers are expected to pack all their trash and minimize their impact on the delicate alpine environment.

Our Tip: Registration and mountaineering ranger staff are available year-round at the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station. While visiting Talkeetna , check out the mountain exhibit at the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum.

22. Alaskan Appetites: Dining in Denali

The Park has no shops or restaurants, so pack snacks and water for trips, hikes, or camping. But you can enjoy great food around the Park, especially in McKinley Park, Healy, Talkeetna, or Fairbanks. You can try local Alaskan cuisine in the various restaurants and eateries around Denali, which offer a range of dining options that showcase Alaskan flavors and fresh, local ingredients.

Start your day with freshly baked pastries or warm up with a cup of coffee at local cafes. Many of them offer stunning views to accompany your meal. Try local specialties like caribou, bison, or elk for the adventurous palate. Or you can dive into dishes featuring fresh Alaskan salmon, halibut, and king crab. Many restaurants pride themselves on sourcing their seafood directly from the state’s icy waters. Moreover, Alaskan craft beers are gaining popularity, and Denali has its share of microbreweries. Enjoy a pint while relaxing after a day of exploration.

23. Alaskan Treasures: Shopping in Denali

Denali offers more than just natural wonders; it’s also a haven for shoppers looking for unique Alaskan souvenirs and handcrafted goods. So you can buy souvenirs, local crafts, and art from the shops around Denali and support small local businesses. The best nearby stores are in McKinley Park.

Local artisans showcase their talents through handcrafted jewelry, pottery, and woodwork. These items make for perfect keepsakes or gifts. You can also discover the rich cultural heritage of Alaska’s indigenous communities through intricately designed beadwork, carvings, and woven items. Given Denali’s adventurous spirit, several stores specialize in outdoor gear and apparel. Whether you forgot your hiking boots or want a Denali-branded fleece, you’ll find it around Denali. You can also dive deeper into Alaskan history, wildlife, and folklore with books penned by local authors. Many stores also offer maps and guides for your Denali exploration.

Our Tip: If you want to make larger purchases, such as food for a few days of camping or backpacking in Denali, we recommend doing so in Anchorage or Fairbanks. In any other town, prices will be much higher, and the selection of products is limited. If you are on a particular diet or have a favorite food, you may not find it in the stores around Denali.

Denali Attractions – Final Thoughts

Exploring the things to do in Denali National Park has been a thrilling journey through one of the world’s most unique and captivating landscapes. Whether hiking the rugged trails, rafting down turbulent rivers, or simply basking in the awe-inspiring views during the Denali bus tour, the variety of Denali attractions ensures that every visitor finds their perfect adventure. As you plan your trip, remember that Denali is not just a destination; it’s an experience. Prepare well for its wilderness to have a safe trip.

Agnes Stabinska is the creative force and co-founder behind the Alaska Itinerary blog. With a degree in Tourism Management and postgraduate studies in Journalism, Agnes combines academic expertise with real-world experience. Alongside her partner, Chris, she's your go-to guide for an authentic Alaskan adventure.

Agnes doesn't just write about Alaska; she lives it. From capturing the state's breathtaking landscapes through her lens to hiking its rugged trails or observing bears and whales in their natural habitat, her firsthand experiences are your compass to all things Alaska.

With Agnes and Chris, you're not just reading another travel blog; you're tapping into a treasure trove of insider tips, curated itineraries, and invaluable insights to make your Alaskan journey truly unforgettable.

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Things to Do in Denali Park

16 million acres of scenic wilderness just waiting to be explored.

• Destinations
• Denali Park
• Things to Do in Denali National Park

Most Popular

• Denal Park Bus Tours
• Denali Raft Trip
• Denali Sled Dog Tour
• Denali Guided Hike
• Denali Glacier Landing Flight

Activity Finder

Denali Park Things to Do

Aside from the popular bus tours that take you deep within Denali National Park, the whole Denali Park area offers so many things to do it can be difficult to settle one just a few. To start, be sure to take time to explore the park's Visitors Center to become acquainted with the local history and wildlife. From here you can head out onto a series of accessible interpretive trails. If a guided walk sounds appealing, reserve a spot on the Denali Interpretive Hike .

If adventure is on your bucket list, try soaring above Denali's ridges and craggy glaciers aboard a flightseeing excursion, or ride the waters of Nenana River on a rafting trip .

Since sled dog teams are an Alaskan icon, a visit to the Denali Park sled dog kennel is a fun way to learn about (and meet) the National Park Service's only working sled dog team. For a closer look at Alaska's renowned husky dogs and the life of a musher, book a DogGoneIt Kennel Tour .

Glacier landing tours are popular with those interested in learning more about Alaska's thousands of glaciers. Your fixed-wing plane will land upon a glacier in Denali National Park where snow flies all year long and visitors feel small against the flanks of Denali, the mammoth mountain aptly called "The High One."

Even more options await outside of the Denali National Park boundary. The Trailblazer ATV Tour motors 20 miles through the rugged hills of nearby Healy, offering a view of the mountains and surrounding landscape from a completely different vantage point.

Soar among the treetops with the Denali Park Zipline Tour for a look at the boreal forest canopy while enjoying views of the surrounding mountains.

When it's time to slow down, enjoy dinner and a show at the Denali Cabin Nite Dinner Theater or the Music of Denali Dinner Show for a humorous glimpse of life during Alaska's pioneer days.

Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour

Fully narrated bus tour with a turnaround point at the historic Murie Cabin deep inside Denali National Park. Learn More >

Denali Helicopter Glacier Landing Flight

Spend 70 memorable minutes flying through the eastern Alaska Range and exploring a glacier by foot on this bucket-list helicopter tour out of the Denali Park area. Learn More >

Denali Rafting Canyon Whitewater Run

Splash through wilder rapids in the Nenana River Gorge on this three-hour trip with Denali's longest-running rafting company. Learn More >

Denali Trailblazer ATV Tour (Side by Side)

Ride farther and see even more on this 20-mile, four-hour ATV excursion through the foothills bordering Denali National Park. Learn More >

Denali Natural History Tour

Explore the natural history of the Denali area, from its indigenous native cultures to the founding of the national park, on this guided half-day bus trip. Learn More >

DogGoneIt Denali Kennel Tour

Spend three hours meeting sled dogs (puppies, too!) and learning about the adventurous life of a musher on this tour near Denali Park. Learn More >

Denali Interpretive Hike - 4 hour

A four-hour morning hike in the mountains bordering Denali National Park that's a perfect fit for active travelers. Learn More >

Denali Interpretive Hike - 5 hour

Explore the Denali Park area alongside a guide well-versed in the area's flora, fauna, and fascinating natural history on this more challenging five-hour hike. Learn More >

Denali Glacier Landing Fixed Wing Flightseeing

Experience the majesty of the Alaska Range on the only flightseeing trip from the Denali National Park entrance that lands on a glacier within the park Learn More >

Denali Park Zipline

Join this popular tour for a three-hour thrill ride through the treetops and tundra just outside Denali National Park. Learn More >

Denali Walking Tour

Offering active exploration of the unique natural setting of the Denali Park area, guests return from this three-hour walking tour both energized and educated. Learn More >

Denali Cabin Nite Dinner Theater

Indulge in a hearty family-style meal and a playful musical comedy telling the tale of Denali gold rushers during this dinner theater performance. Learn More >

Denali Highway Jeep Excursion

Take the whole family on this fun and fully guided five-hour Jeep Wrangler driving excursion on a scenic route east of Denali National Park. Learn More >

Denali Helicopter Heli-Hiking Tour

Ideal for active adventurers eager to experience real Alaskan backcountry, this heli-hike excursion takes guests into the remote mountains east of Denali National Park. Learn More >

Denali Helicopter Tundra Express Flight

Fly above Alaska's true wilderness (and step out into it) on this popular helicopter tour taking off out of the Denali Park area. Learn More >

Denali Rafting Wilderness Run

Float down the Nenana River on mild water excursion with Denali's longest-running rafting company. Learn More >

Denali Wilderness ATV Tour (4 Wheeler)

Spend an exciting two hours cruising 10 miles of creek beds and rocky trails on this rowdy ATV adventure outside Denali National Park. Learn More >

Denali Wilderness ATV Tour (Side by Side)

Get behind the wheel or enjoy the ride from the passenger seat on this exciting side-by-side ATV excursion outside Denali National Park. Learn More >

Denali Trailblazer ATV Tour (4 Wheeler)

Take the fun up a notch on this 20-mile, four-hour ATV excursion into the foothills north of Denali National Park. Learn More >

Music of Denali Dinner Show

Hear the tale of the first successful ascent of the 20,320-foot-high Denali during this lively two-hour dinner theater at the McKinley Chalet Resort. Learn More >

Denali Park Bus Tours

Denali National Park's lone road offers visitors plenty of chances to view impressive backcountry and abundant wildlife, whether you choose a half or full-day narrated bus tour. Learn More >

17 Unforgettable Things to Do in Denali National Park

• Alaska / Outdoors / USA

Visiting Denali National Park? Don’t miss these things to do.

We heard about the long days in Alaska, but it felt unreal to experience it in person. Dinner at 9pm felt like an early dinner with our plates perfectly lit up by the window light. At 1 am, we had to pull the blackout curtains, because golden hour last for several hours. It was all very trippy, and I thought to myself, I could live here for a summer.

A big thank you to Nation’s Vacation and Denali Park Village for hosting our trip and sponsoring this post. All opinions are always our own. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. Read our full disclosure  for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Last Updated: September 11, 2024

− − Content Menu

What you need to know before you visit.

• 17 Denali Attractions You Can’t Miss
• More Things to Do Denali

Map of Denali National Park

• Denali National Park Hiking Trails
• Best Views and Overlooks
• Where to Eat in Denali
• Where to Stay
• Denali National Park Camping

Planning Checklist

More resources.

After spending 5 days exploring Denali National Park, we’re already putting together a game plan on how get an RV and slow travel through Alaska!

While we were there, a lot of the people we met were just passing through on a cruise. Most people only spend a day or two in the Denali area before heading to their next destination on their Alaska itinerary. We stayed 5 days and still felt like it wasn’t enough. Meet you there next year?

• You can only drive the first 15 miles into the park. From Savage River Check Station, you must either take a bus, bicycle, or hike in. Most people see Denali National Park by either shuttle bus or interpretive bus tour.
• Mt McKinley was renamed Denali in 2015 so you’ll still hear both names.
• Weather is fickle. Our driver was told us that only 30% of people get to see Denali. A lot of the times, it is shrouded in clouds. For your best chances, go as early morning as possible. Clouds tend to come in during the day.
• Bring a map ( NatGeo Denali National Park ) or hike with a guide. Denali is wild. It’s the backcountry and there are not many well-maintained trails. It’s easiest to hike when you stick near river beds but you can expect bushwhacking and stream crossings as well.
• Bring  Bug Spray . If you make it out to Wonder Lake, bring a  bug net . They might look stupid, but you will feel stupid after getting dozens of bug bites on your face.

How the Buses Work – 4 Types of Buses

This was probably what confused me the most before I arrived in Denali.

• Free Shuttle Buses  only travel the first 15 miles of the park road. It connects visitor centers and points of interest where you can already drive your own vehicle.
• Tour Buses  are narrated and can travel further into the park along Denali Park Road. There are  three types of tours  that range from 4.5 hours round trip to 11 hours round trip. The biggest advantage of these is that they will stop when wildlife is spotted and give everyone plenty of time to watch them in their natural habitat.
• Transit Buses  are non-narrated. These are cheaper than tour buses and more flexible on stops. You can disembark or rebound anywhere along the road (although most of the time, they are full and those who have tickets to that specific bus get priority). They make brief stops for wildlife, but their main purpose is to get you from point A to point B. For paid buses (both tour and transit), reserve in advance as they fill up quickly.
• Camper Buses  take you to campground and backcountry hikes but can only be accessed through a reservation or backcountry permit.

Tips for Buses

• Specific schedules are subject to small adjustments throughout the season. Always check the latest schedule when you arrive.
• When you purchase your tickets, you will be charged the park entrance fee. Be sure to bring your  annual park pass  (good for up to 4 people) with you. If you forgot it like we did, you can bring it the next day and get a reimbursement.
• Bus trips range from 4.5 to 12 hours. Keep that in mind while you’re planning your days. If you plan on trying to catch a bus back, be patient. Those who have tickets for that particular bus will have priority.

Visitor Centers

• The  Denali Visitor Center  is only open in the summer from 8am to 6pm. This is the main visitor center near the entrance of the park. Watch the park film, check out exhibits, or join one of the ranger led programs. You can also get backcountry permits here.
• The  Murie Science and Learning Center  (MSLC) is the main visitor center during the fall, winter, and spring. It is also located at the front of the park and showcases research from living laboratories like Denali National park. It is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm.
• The  Eielson Visitor Center  is also only open during the summer. It’s located at Mile 66 and can be reached by most shuttle buses and the Kantishna Experience tour bus. There are ranger-led programs, a small art gallery, and beautiful views of Denali on clear days. It’s open from 1pm to 3pm in the summer and 9am to 5:30pm the rest of the year.
• The  Denali Bus Depot (formerly Wilderness Access Center)  is only open in the summer. You can busy bus tickets, reserve campsites, and check in for existing reservations. It is located near the park entrance and is open from 5am to 7pm. There is a small coffee shop, bookstore and is where you will catch your bus.
• The  Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station  is located about 100 miles south of the Denali National Park and Preserve in the town of Talkeetna. This ranger station is the center of mountaineering operations. Climbers who plan on hiking Denali or other peaks in the Alaska Range need to stop here first. It is open year round from 8am to 5:30pm.

17 Unforgettable Things to DO in Denali National park

1. nenana river whitewater rafting.

With Explore Denali Rafting, you can either hop on a mild Wilderness Float Trip where you can simply enjoy the views, or get your adrenaline pumping on a Paddle or Canyon Run.

We did the Paddle Run and hit some gnarly rapids! There were only four of us in the raft in addition to our guide, where we all had to paddle. Another raft floated along with us on the Canyon Run, where the guests just hold on while the guide does all the heavy lifting. BUT did you really raft if you don’t paddle? We’ll let you decide. Either way, we highly recommend experiencing the Nenana River.

You’ll be on the water for about 2 hours and 3-4 hours total including pickup, instruction, and gearing up. They provide all the equipment you need, including dry-suits since the water stays cold year round, transportation to and from your hotel, and experienced river guides.

Local Tip: If you’d rather watch your friends raft, head to Milepost 242 of the George Parks Highway. You’ll be able to see them raft through the Cable Car Rapid. There’s easy parking and you can even hike down to the Nenana River.

2. See the Big 5

Out of the Big 5, the only ones we didn’t see was the last one. 

• Caribou / Reindeer
• Dall Sheep – look for a white dot
• Grizzly Bears – look for a golden bail of hay
• Moose – look for a large brown mass

More Denali Animals to Look Out For : Collared pika, coyotes, golden eagles, hoary marmot, lynx, porcupine, red fox, snowshoe hare, wolverines, and more. See the  full list here .

Pro Tip: Bring the longest lens you own. I was wishing I had a  400 mm  on a  crop sensor . Unless you’re lucky, most of the animals are far away. Keep in mind that it’s not a zoo, and you’re never guaranteed to see wildlife. We’ve been to plenty of national parks where we didn’t see much, meanwhile, everyone and their moms would have epic sightings. This was by far our luckiest trip for seeing wildlife. 

3. The Tundra Wilderness Tour

When:  June 1 – September 12 Time Needed:  7-8 Hours Distance:  63 Miles to Stoney Hill Overlook then Back

We rode both the narrated bus and a shuttle bus, and actually recommend both if you have the time. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is great because you have more time to see wildlife and our driver was insanely good at spotting wildlife. They even have a camera where they can zoom in so you can see them closer on the bus monitors.

During the tour, the driver shared the history of Park Road and stopped at every opportunity to see wildlife, where you had plenty of time to take photos and watch them in their natural habitat. When Denali is visible, you also get some of the best views of the mountain. The bus stops roughly every 1.5 hours for bathroom breaks and to stretch your legs. 

Pro Tip: They provide a box of snacks, but also bring your own lunch and extra snacks since it’s a long day out.

There are 3 Interpretive Bus Tours with different itineraries. All tours stop every 1.5 hours for restroom breaks and offer either a snack or full lunch.

• Denali Natural History Tour  (4.5-5 hr, 30 mi one way) – History of humans in the park
• Tundra Wilderness Tour  or Toklat Shoulder Season Tour (7-8 hr, 63 mi one way) – Focus on wildlife
• Kantishna Experience Tour  (11-12 hr, 92 mi one way) – Focus is on the landscape. Out of the 3 interpretive bus tours, this is the only one that takes you to the end of the Park Road, the only one that stops at Eielson Visitor Center, and the only one with an Interpretive Ranger from the National Park Service that joins you at Wonder Lake.

4. Triple Lakes Tr ail Interpretive Hike

When we go hiking on our own, we miss a lot of details because we’re focused on getting to the destination or worried about running into wildlife. The Triple Lakes Trail Interpretive Hike was a great way to learn more about the boreal forest, where to keep an eye out for wildlife, and the best vantage points.

Our guide tailored the hike to what we were interested in, helped us stay on pace, and answered questions about the local flora and fauna. He also gave us suggestions on other hikes to check out and places in town we should stop by.

Pro Tip: Let your guide know if there is something in particular that you’re interested in, so he or she can point it out and tell you more about it during the hike.

5. Denali Flightseeing Tours

These views were jaw-dropping. The mountains went on forever, and you get to soar above the clouds for better chances to see Denali.

Denali Air  navigates through the park through their small aircrafts giving you views of mountains, glaciers, and even Denali up close. Our pilot pointed out the different basecamps of the mountaineers too.

During our trip, it was amazing to see the park from land, water, and air.

Pro Tip: The pilot does a great job trying to give both sides of the plane good views. If you’re shooting, it helped to have a longer lens to get past the wing and propellers of the plane. We mostly used our 70-200 mm lens.

6. Meet the Canine Rangers at the Denali Kennels + Sled Dog Demonstrations

If you love dogs, this is a must! Denali National Park is the only park that uses sled dogs, and these canine rangers have worked alongside their human counterparts since the 1920s.

The kennels are roughly 3 miles into the park and open year-round. During the summer, you can stop by to meet the pups and watch a sled dog demonstration. During the winter, the dogs and rangers are frequently in the park, so be sure to check at the visitor center before making your way to the kennels.

Pro Tip: Everyone talks about the sled dog demonstrations, but if you are short on time, you can just go see them. You can drive your car to the kennels but parking is limited. During the summer, you can take a free shuttle bus here.

7. Stony Hill Overlook (Mile 62)

This was our favorite view of Denali and the last stop on our Tundra Wilderness Tour. When we took the transit bus out to Wonder Lake, we were hoping we might make a stop here again, but since the Eielson Visitor Center is just a few miles past this, the driver didn’t bother stopping here.

8. The Eielson Visitor Center (Mile 66)

If you only do one thing in the park, visit the Eielson Visitor Center. You get amazing views and see a lot of the park on the way  – Josh, Youth Volunteer

The Eielson Visitor Center is only open in the summer and has great views of Denali on clear days. There are daily ranger-led programs, a small gallery of art, and has some of the few established trails in the park.

9. Murie Science and Learning Center

The Murie Science and Learning Center is also Denali’s winter visitor center. Check out exhibits and learn how to be better stewards of national parks in Alaska.

10. Wonder Lake (Mile 84.5)

Wonder Lake is a popular campground with 28 sites and the closest to Denali (although it’s still 26 miles from the mountain). Our initial plan was to come up here to find Reflection Pond, which is next on the list, but since clouds covered Denali by the time we were here, we decided to enjoy the lake for a bit then head back.

Pro Tip: Mosquitos here were ruthless! Not only because of the sheer number of them, but nothing seemed to phase them either. If we visit again, we’re definitely bringing  bug nets .

11. Reflection Pond (Mile 85.3)

Photographers love Reflection Pond. As its name implies, you can get beautiful photos of Denali and Foraker reflecting off the surface of the pond. We were bummed that Denali was covered in clouds by the time we got there. Next time, we’ll have to camp at Wonder Lake to take advantage of the morning light and increase chances to see the mountain.

Pro Tip: If you’re taking the bus to Wonder Lake to get here, ask the bus driver to drop you off before he descends down to Wonder Lake. That will save you from hiking back up the hill just to find the pond.

12. Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre

Enjoy a family-style dinner and show at Denali Park Village. The show shares about the local history through music and humor. Set in the early 1900s, the cast is talented and charismatic and they do a great job getting the crowd involved.

Note: We’ll admit that this is usually not our cup of tea, but it was a great way to meet other people at the communal restaurant tables.

13. Old Sourdough Studio

We’ve never taken old-timey photos before, but Alaskan themed old-timey photos? Down! They use authentic clothes, help you get dressed, and make the experience really quick and smooth. Everything in the photo was real except for the snow and husky.

14. Hike the Backcountry

If you want to explore more of the park, much of it is done in the backcountry. Stop by the Wilderness Access Center to get all the info you need about camping and backcountry in Denali. The six million acres are divided into 87 backcountry units (each unit is tens of thousands of acres). 41 of those units have a limit on the number of people allowed to camp each night.

• Your entire party must be present when obtaining your permit.
• You must have a backcountry permit before purchasing a camper bus ticket.
• Supplies are limited in the Denali area. Try to purchase items you need before arriving.
• Backpacking units are subject to availability. They are only issued the day before or the day of your trip. Your best chances are to arrive at 8am the day before your trip to get your choice in unites.
• You will need to complete a backcountry orientation and it will be good for the season. You can even save time by watching the video at the Denali Visitor Center before the day of your permit. Just be sure to document with the park staff that you watched it.
• Have a few units picked out ahead of time so you can select the one that is available. You can read more about each unit  here .
• If it’s your first off-trail backpacking trip, these units are a good starting point: 1 (features a trail), 9-13, 18, 34, and 42.
• Read more about how to plan for your trip  here .

Pro Tip: If you’re new to hiking in the backcountry, we highly recommend you go on a ranger-led backcountry hike before you venture out on your own. One of the locals told us that they ran into 16 grizzlies on one hike.

15. Bike Denali Park Road

Cycling is a great way to see the park plus visitors are allowed to bike all 92 miles of the Park Road. You can check out trip ideas  here . More Tips:

• You can ride on park roads, parking areas, and campground loops. Bicycles are prohibited on all other trails.
• Electric bikes are not allowed beyond the first 15 miles.
• Bring your own  repair kits .
• Eielson Visitor Center at mile 66 is the only place to refill water (see  our favorite travel water bottles here ).
• Be aware of wildlife. You cannot cycle faster than a bear (they can run up to 35 mph).
• Remember weather can be fickle. Be prepared for all types of weather.

16. Take in the Northern Lights (Winter)

September is my favorite time of year. The weather is perfect, the bugs are gone, and you get a chance to see the Northern Lights.  – James, Our Local Hiking Guide

Summer is amazing because you get such long days, but if you visit in the spring, fall, or winter, you also get a chance to see the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. The sky is usually dark enough starting the second week of August.

See More: 9 Breathtaking Things to Do in Seward Alaska

17. Win the Road Lottery

Every year, they open the Park Road to the public through a lottery.  Applications run from May 1-31 and they only award 400 passes each day. If you’re lucky enough to win the lottery for this 4-day event in September, you can drive as far as Wonder Lake (mile 85). Otherwise, you’ll have to join the rest of us via bus. Find more details  here .

See More: 11 Hardest Outdoor Permits to Get in the US

More Things to Do at Denali National Park

• Become a Junior Ranger – always a fun way to learn about the park. It’s great for kids, and most of the time they don’t discriminate against adults. ;)
• Fishing  – although it’s not a super popular fishing spot because of the glacial silt, you can fish at Wonder lake and a few clear streams that flow into Savage River.

Best Overlooks and Views in Denali

• 9 Mile Marker – first view of Denali view (you can access with your own car)
• 10.6 Mile Marker – both Denali peaks are visible
• 13 Mile Marker – Mountain Vista Trailhead. See Denali on clear days.
• 16 Mile Marker – Primrose Ridge – you can see Denali, wildflowers, & wildlife
• 30 Mile Marker – Teklanika River Bridge
• 46 Mile Marker – Polychrome – colorful mountains (watch for grizzlies, moose, caribou)
•  53.1 Mile Marker – Toklat River – caribou and other wildlife
• 61.95 Mile Marker – Stony Hill Overlook – one of the best views of Denali
• 66 Mile Marker – Eielson Visitor Center – 33 miles from Summit of Denali
• 85 Mile Marker – Wonder Lake – moose here at dusk and dawn

Denali Hiking Trails

• Horseshoe Lake Trail  (2.1 mi loop, 393 ft △, easy) – look for moose
• Mt Healy Overlook Trail  (4.3 mi roundtrip, 1666 ft △, moderate) – a lot of exposed trail
• River Loop Trail  (2.1 mi loop, 413 ft △, easy)
• Savage Alpine Trail  (8.2 mi roundtrip, 1414 ft △, strenuous)
• Tundra Loop  (0.4 mi, 52 ft, easy)
• Thorofare Ridge Trail  (2.1 mi roundtrip, 1020 ft, strenuous)
• Gorge Creek Trail  (3.8 mi roundtrip, 1095 ft, moderate)
• Triple Lakes Trai l  (18.5 mi round trip, 3690 ft, strenuous) – the one we did. It’s the longest established trail where you see three lakes, blueberry patches, bears, waterfowl, beavers.
• Rock Creek Trail  (4.4 mi, 944 ft, moderate)
• McKinley Station Trail – easy, 3.2 mi
• Visit  this page  for a complete list of day hikes.

Where to Eat

If you spend all day in the park or do the guided tours, bring food with you. We opted to get the sack lunches from the Gold Rush Dining Room (if you do this, you need to order your lunch the day before). By evening, we were so exhausted, we stayed close to home.

• Gold Rush Dining Room  – We had most our meals here since we stayed at Denali Park Village. They have different menus for lunch and dinner. Our favorite dish was the Pan Seared Alaskan Halibut (we recommend you order it medium if you do get it).
• Lucky Miss Saloon  – It’s attached to Gold Rush Dining Room. They open until 11pm so it’s a great option after being out all day.
• Denali Thai Food  – Some of the best Thai food we’ve had anywhere. I know.. it’s a shocker, and we didn’t believe people until we tried it ourselves. They outdoor seating at the food cart, but we brought it back to our room to hide from the mosquitos.
• Cabin Night Dinner Theater  – Family-style buffet dinner. They do move you through dinner first so they can get to the show.

Where to Stay – Denali Park Village

Denali Park Village  was the perfect home base during our stay in Alaska. You can choose between  The Lodge  or  Cabins . Either way, you have easy access to all of the grounds and its amenities.

The main Lodge has beautiful views of the river, an indoor fireplace, a shop, and restaurants. It’s where you will meet for any tour pickups and they also provide a free shuttle to the National Park. You can also hang out at the Miner’s Plaza, which has a general store, Cabin Nite Dinner Theater, and outdoor stage, a museum, shops and more.

For more options, check the map below.

Camping in Denali National Park

If you’re looking to camp in Denali National Park, you can make  reservations online  as early as December 1 of the year before your visit. Campground fees will be between $12-27/night and is free in the winter (late Sept to early May)

• Riley Creek Campground (Mile 0.25, Year-round) – RVs and tent camping
• Savage River Campground (Mile 14, mid-May to mid-Sept) – RVs and tent camping
• Sanctuary River Campground (Mile 22, May 20 – mid Sept) – tents only
• Teklanika River Campground (Mile 29, May 20 – mid Sept) – RVs and tent camping
• Igloo Creek Campground (Mile 35, May 20 – mid Sept) – tents only
• Wonder Lake Campground (Mile 85, June 8 – mid Sept) – tents only

More Camping Info:

• Check in & checking out is 11am
• There are no spaces for RVs over 40′ long
• None of the campgrounds have electrical or water hookups for RVs
• All campgrounds have toilets (some flush, some are vault-style)
• Campgrounds all have potable water except Igloo Creek and Sanctuary River
• All campgrounds have recycling containers for aluminum cans, glass, plastic jugs and bottles (#1 and #2, and plastic containers (#5)
• Pets are allowed on campground roads and Park Rod, but not on trails on in the wilderness
• You can have fires in established grates in Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River. Fires may not be used for cooking
• There is a 14 night maximum in the summer season
• Click here  for more info on campsites
• You can find  backcountry camping info here
• Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
• Download these helpful language apps .
• Find a great deal on Denali hotels .
• Arrange a rental car for your trip.
• Book a tour for your visit.
• Get airport lounge access .
• Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
• Get a new backpack for your trip.
• Buy a Denali travel guide .
• Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
• Don’t forget your in-flight essentials .
• Save money on attractions with Go City .
• Denali Guide to Hiking, Photography, and Camping
• Backcountry Companion for Denali National Park
• Complete Visitors Guide to Denali, Wildlife, Outdoor Activities
• Denali National Park NatGeo Trail Map + Wildlife Guide
• Watch Extreme Alaska – Denali National Park

Have you been to Alaska? Any other things to do in Denali National Park that we missed?

Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for later

See more national park guides.

BLACK CANYON GUNNISON

BRYCE CANYON

CRATER LAKE

DEATH VALLEY

GRAND CANYON

GRAND TETON

GREAT BASIN

GREAT SAND DUNES

JOSHUA TREE

SEQUOIA + KINGS CANYON

WHITE SANDS

YELLOWSTONE

“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes ” – M. Proust

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

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20 of the Absolute Best Things to Do in Denali National Park

If you’re heading to Alaska, no doubt you’re not going to want to miss Denali! There are a number of amazing things to do in Denali National Park, and it’s the perfect spot for outdoor lovers. Daniel and I couldn’t get over how beautiful the park was–though you might not get a chance to see the famous mountain itself since it likes to hide. Regardless, there’s plenty see and some pretty unique animals to spot.

Fantastic things to do in Denali National Park

Here are some of the things to do in Denali National Park that you are going to want to make sure to add to your Alaska road trip itinerary!

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View Denali 

With its iconic snow-covered peaks towering above the park, Denali Mountain is undoubtedly one of the largest and most important Denali attractions . Serving as a symbol for the National Park, this majestic mountain is a sight that is not to be missed!

The mountain can be viewed from several points throughout the park, but one of the best and most popular places to view it is from the Reflection Pond. Located on the west end of Park Road, this pond is known for offering incredible reflections of Denali Mountain on clear, calm days.

Take a bus tour 

Offering incredible sights and a wealth of knowledge, bus tours are certainly one of the best things to do in Denali National Park . Led by trained guides who provide an array of information on the park’s history, these bus tours are a great way to learn about Denali and the creatures that call it home.

Tours will take you to some of the most sought-after destinations in the park, allowing you to see vast areas of Denali in a short amount of time. With several tour options available, including natural history tours, tundra wilderness tours, and tours to the old gold town of Kantishna, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Whitewater rafting  

If you’re an adventure traveler wondering what to do in Denali National Park , consider joining a whitewater rafting tour. These excursions into the Alaskan wilderness usually take place along the Nenana River, where you’ll have the opportunity to encounter action-packed rapids with names such as Ice Worm and Coffee Grinder.

You’ll have the choice to either sit back and enjoy the ride or grab a paddle and assist your guide in navigating down the river. For those, who’d prefer a more relaxing experience, there are also Wilderness Float Tours that take you to calmer sections of the river.

Wildlife spotting 

Denali is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including 39 different mammals, 169 species of birds, 14 different species of fish, and one amphibian – the wood frog. Of course, what most people come to see are the Big 5: grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and dall sheep.

While it’s possible to spot these animals anywhere throughout the park, one of the best and easiest ways to encounter them is on a bus tour. Simply put, your guide knows where the animals like to hang out and will be able to take you there. With so many animals to see, wildlife spotting is undoubtedly one of the most exciting things to do in Denali National Park .

Most people go to Denali to hike, so it should come as no surprise to hear that hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Denali National Park . With so many different areas to explore, the opportunities for hiking here are endless. There are some pretty incredible trails, and it can be hard to narrow down the best hikes in Denali National Park when you’re only there for a few days.

There are a variety of marked trails that you can follow, or if you prefer to venture out on your own, off-trail hiking is allowed. You can also opt to join a ranger-led hike if you are uncertain or nervous about hiking alone. You can expect shorter hiking times and lots of information sharing on these ranger-led hikes.

Take a flightseeing tour  

There are several activities in Denali National Park , but few of them offer the opportunity to view the park from above. With a flightseeing tour, you’ll have the chance to see it all from the air. Hop in a small aircraft and soar above the park, passing over mountains, glaciers, foothills, and more. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a few animals from the sky!

Most flightseeing tour companies are located in the towns immediately surrounding the park and offer a variety of itineraries, so you can prioritize the views you’d like to see the most.

Take a helicopter tour 

If you’re looking for Denali activities that will bring you up close and personal with the park’s glaciers, then be sure to sign up for a helicopter tour. On these excursions, you’ll have the opportunity to land right on top of a glacier and spend time exploring its icy terrain. You can take in the landscape, snap a few photos, and savor this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

In addition to your glacial explorations, you can also expect to encounter incredible views of the Alaskan landscape as you fly over snow-covered mountains, stark blue lakes, and windy rivers. Needless to say, helicopter tours are one of the most exciting things to do in Denali National Park .

For those who love the thrill of heights, ziplining is one of the most exciting things to do near Denali National Park . Located in close proximity to the park, you’ll find several companies that offer thrilling zipline and high ropes courses.

Providing you with the opportunity to soar above the tundra, these sky-high courses offer unobstructed views of the Alaskan Range. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a few of Denali’s local residents in the treetops and on the ground down below.

Meet some huskies 

Did you know that Denali National Park is home to sled dogs? In fact, the park rangers utilize teams of Alaskan huskies to help them get around during the winter. These canine rangers have become a vital part of the National Park, and visiting them is one of the most popular activities in Denali .

While the park doesn’t offer dog sled rides to visitors, you can still go up to the kennels and meet the dogs. Depending upon when you visit, you may even be treated to a dog sledding demonstration. The huskies are so popular among visitors that many would say seeing them is one of the best things to do in Denali National Park .

Go on an ATV tour

If you’re looking to explore the backcountry of Denali, consider joining an ATV tour. These tours take you way off the beaten path and are definitely one of the most exciting things to do around Denali National Park . As you follow your guide, speeding across the Alaskan tundra, driving through rivers and streams, and cutting through forests, you’ll gain access to areas that most visitors never see.

Not to mention you’ll be privy to some pretty incredible views, views that are sure to take your breath away no matter which tour or itinerary you opt to join. For those who don’t feel comfortable driving themselves, there are also Jeep tours available – you can simply sit back and watch the scenery roll by as your guide takes control of the wheel.

Go horseback riding 

For all of the animal lovers out there, horseback riding is one of the most amazing things to do in Denali, Alaska . There’s a horseback tour operator located just past the park’s entrance that offers a variety of guided horseback rides during the summer and sleigh rides in the winter.

As you travel across the Alaskan backcountry, you’ll learn about the flora and fauna you encounter and will hear stories about the land and its history. For those who may be new to riding, they even offer horseback riding lessons that you can take before hitting the trails.

Visit the Eielson Visitor Center

If you have no idea what to do in Denali , a visit to the Eielson Visitor Center is a must! Open only during the summer, the Visitor Center offers a little bit of everything – incredible views of Denali mountain, several short hiking trails, a variety of ranger-led programs, an art gallery, as well as a wealth of information on the park and its activities.

Many say if you only have one day to visit the park, you should spend it here because it’s the one place where you can fully sample all that Denali has to offer. For these reasons and more, many people consider the Eielson Visitor Center to be one of the best things to do in Denali National Park .

Murie Science and Learning Center

The Murie Science and Learning Center is the park’s winter visitor center. Open from September to May, the Learning Center is one of the best things to do in Denali National Park if you’re interested in learning more about the park’s ongoing natural research.

Built with the aim to promote science and stewardship at Denali, the Learning Center is home to a variety of exhibits and documentaries that highlight the park’s inner scientific workings. The Learning Center is also a great place to go to learn about trail conditions, rent snowshoes, and obtain permits for overnight trips.

Go golfing 

Golfing may not immediately come to mind when you’re brainstorming things to do at Denali National Park , but it is an option! Located just past the entrance to the park is a 9-hole tundra golf course that offers stunning views of the mountains and close encounters with wildlife. It’s also near a number of Denali National Park hotels , which makes it a convenient activity for many visitors.

A s you putt around from hole to hole, you’re likely to spot a variety of animals, including a fox that is known for stealing golf balls! Between the scenery, the wildlife, and the course’s unique layout, it’s safe to say there’s no other golf course like this one in the world! After you’re done, make sure to hit up one of the local Denali restaurants in the area.

Take a horse-drawn wagon 

Looking to take a step back in time? There’s no better way to do it than by hopping aboard a horse-drawn wagon. Complete with old-style wagons, draft horses, and incredible Alaskan scenery, this is without a doubt one of the most unique things to do in Denali .

As you travel through the tundra, you’ll be treated to a variety of stories and folklore about the land and will learn about the history of the area’s coal mining. You’ll even have the opportunity to stop by a rustic cabin to see how every day Alaskans once lived.

Take a photo tour 

Everyone loves to take photos of Denali National Park, but only a select few people know where to go to capture truly stunning pictures. Thankfully, you can gain access to this insider’s information when you join a photo tour. Led by top-rated local photography guides, these tours will take you to some of the most scenic locations, offering you the chance to capture Denali as you never thought possible.

As you snap away on your camera, you will even be treated to tips from your guides, as they show how to shoot more professional photos. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, these tours are without a doubt one of the best Denali things to do .

Denali Visitor Center

The Denali Visitor Center is more than just a building– it’s a full on-campus complete with a welcome and information center, restaurant, gift shop, train station, and bus stop. It also happens to be one of the best Denali National Park things to do , especially if you’re in need of guidance or support during your visit.

On any given day, you can find park rangers here ready to answer your every question and relay their recommendations and advice. It’s also a great place to stop if you need to rest and regroup or grab a bite to eat.

Wonder Lake 

Offering camping, hiking, and scenic views, a visit to Wonder Lake is certainly one of the best things to do in Denali National Park . For camping enthusiasts, there are 28 sites set up in the campground, each offering stunning views of the lake and Alaskan Range.

There are also several ranger-led activities that take place at the campground, including naturalist programs and ranger-led hikes. A variety of hiking trails can be found in the vicinity around the campground, and, of course, off-trail hiking is also permitted.

Denali Star Train

If you’d like the opportunity to view vast areas of Alaska’s interior, consider hopping aboard the Denali Star Train. Covering a total of 365-miles, this 12-hour train ride travels between Anchorage and Fairbanks, with stops in Talkeetna, Wasilla, and Denali National Park.

For a good portion of this ride, at least on a clear day, you’ll be treated to stunning views of Denali Mountain and the Alaskan Range. Other sights that you can expect to see include the Chugach Mountains, Indian River, Hurricane Gulch, Nenana River, and the Healy Canyon.

See the Northern Lights 

Watching the Northern Lights dance above the Alaskan Range is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Denali National Park . While August to April is generally considered to be prime viewing time, it is possible to see the Northern Lights here year-round.

As it gets closer to your trip, you can check the aurora forecast for Alaska to find out when you might be able to spot them. If the timing lines up, you’ll be treated to incredible shades of green, blue, purple, and red – a sight that is truly unforgettable.

What were your favorite things to do in Denali National Park? Let me know in the comments!

Like this post? Save it for later!

Want more information on Alaska? Check out these articles:

• 24 of the Absolute Best Hikes in Denali National Park
• Flying High: Up in the Air With Copper Valley Air Service
• 21 Amazing Denali National Park Hotels You’re Going to Want to Check Out
• 24 Denali Restaurants You’re Going to Want to Check Out on Your Trip

Alex is the founder of Alex on the Map, a site devoted to national park guides, hiking, climbing, and enjoying your outdoor adventures. After growing up near Glacier National Park in Montana, Alex now spends summers in the American West hitting up the trail with her husband and dog.

Her work has been featured in Fodor's, the Huffington Post, Bustle, and many more. She has also been featured in publications such as The Washington Post, CNN, and USA Today.

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What to See and Do in Denali National Park

Popular Activities and Attractions

For most people, a visit to Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve is a unique and long-anticipated adventure. It's an opportunity to spend time among spectacular scenery and varied wildlife, to gaze upon Mount McKinley and the jagged peaks of the Alaska Range. The taiga and tundra landscape of Alaska's interior is unlike anything most have experienced before, providing a rich experience filled with new sights, sounds, and ideas. Because Denali National Park is a vast wilderness, largely inaccessible to vehicle traffic, most visitor activities within the park take place in the northeast section of the park.

Here are some of the most popular attractions and activities you can enjoy in Denali National Park.

Denali Visitor Center

The main visitor center is located just inside Denali National Park's northeast entrance. Ideally, you should explore this facility at the beginning of your visit in order to orient yourself to what you'll be seeing and doing in the park, to find out about tours and activities, and to learn from the fascinating exhibits. Interpretive displays, animal models, and hands-on activities provide the opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna that live through the region's harsh winters and short summers. The visitor center's film, "Heartbeats of Denali", is excellent, filled with images of wildlife and the changing seasons. The film is highly recommended.

The Denali Visitor Center is part of a complex of facilities that also includes, the Alaska Railroad Depot, the Murie Science and Learning Center, the Alaska Geographic Bookstore, restrooms, and the Morino's Grill. Several hiking and biking trails can be accessed from the visitor center complex.

Interpretive Bus Tours

Very few vehicles are allowed more than 15 miles into the park, so if you want a chance to take in the most available scenery and wildlife, one of the bus tours is the way to go. These tours are full-day adventures, running from 4.5 to 11 hours. The longer the tour, the farther into the park it goes. All tours are led by expert drivers and include some refreshments and restroom stops. Be sure to dress in layers and bring your camera and binoculars. You will not have much opportunity to hike, but you will be able to get out and stretch your legs and take photos a few times. The wide open windows of the buses allow you to take some fairly decent pictures from your seat.

• Denali Natural History Tour (4.5 hours) This tour focuses on how humans have lived in and experienced the park, from the Native Alaskans to the earliest explorers, settlers, and visitors.
• Tundra Wilderness Tour (8 hours) The most popular option, this tour focuses on the land and the plants and animals that live within the park. The bus stops frequently for a closer look at wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, wolves, and caribou. The drivers carry zoom-lensed video equipment, using it to provide live views of distant wildlife that can be viewed on drop-down screens at each bus seat, making it easy for you to see the wildlife no matter where it is relative to the bus.
• Kantishna Experience Tour (11 hours) This tour covers the entire length of the approximately 90 miles of road into the park and is a good choice for those who wish to see as much of the Denali wilderness landscape as possible. This is the only tour that stops at Eielson Visitor Center, which is located 66 miles into the park. A National Park Ranger joins the bus for the very last section of the tour from Wonder Lake.

Tickets for these tours must be purchased online and should be obtained in advance.

Those who wish to camp and/or spend time independently within the park can choose the shuttle or camper buses, which provide transportation into the park without so much stop and go. Reservations are available for these as well.

Eielson Visitor Center

Located at mile 66 on the park road, this updated visitor center can be accessed by shuttle bus or as part of the 11-hour Kantishna Experience Tour. On a clear day the Eielson Visitor Center allows spectacular views of Denali. Facilities at this visitor center include an art gallery and restrooms. National Park Rangers are on hand to answer your questions. Hiking trails, both easy and difficult, can be accessed from Eielson.

Other Fun Things to Do in Denali National Park

Denali (the mountain) is over 20,000 feet high. Denali National Park and Preserve covers well over 4.5 million acres. The scale of Denali can be overwhelming to take in. Yet there are many small ways to have fun during your visit, to enrich your park experience, and to make lifetime memories, including:

• Bicycle the Park Road - You can head out from the main visitor center or take your bike on some shuttle buses to travel the road farther into the park. A bike trail also runs from the visitor center to the Nenana River at the entrance area.
• Sled Dog Demonstration - Sled dogs are vital to Denali National Park, particularly for winter operations. Free visits to Denali's sled dog kennels are available throughout the day. The summer months bring puppies and training. The kennels, where the demonstrations take place, can be reached by free shuttle, or you can choose to walk the 1.5 miles from the visitor center.
• Ranger-Guided Walks and Hikes - These expert guided hikes are a great way to learn about Denali National Park and Preserve's flora and fauna, geology, and human history.
• Alaska Railroad Depot - Located adjacent to the Denali Visitor Center, the outdoor waiting area at the depot offers a number of interesting interpretive panels covering Alaska's railroad and tourism history.

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Denali National Park Guide: The Best Tours, Lodging, and Things to Do

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Six million acres of untouched wilderness. All 20,310 feet of North America's tallest peak. And only 92 miles of roadway. All told, Denali National Park is larger than the entire state of New Hampshire —but even those impressive statistics sketch only the faintest reflection of the park's immensity and grandeur.

To really appreciate Denali , you have to see it in person. Driving , hiking , or even flying through the park is an opportunity to surf seemingly endless waves of land that roll past you in the form of mountains and valleys, all laced together by fast-moving creeks and rivers and peppered with free-roaming bears, moose, wolves, and other wildlife large and small. 

Denali sits at the intersection of the  ancestral lands of the Ahtna, Dena’ina, Koyukon, Upper Kuskokwim, and Tanana peoples, all of which are part of a larger language group collectively known as the Dené or Athabascan; human artifacts found in the Denali area have been dated back more than 12,000 years.

If you're planning a visit, know that there are visitor amenities, but they're almost all clustered within about a mile of the park entrance, leaving the rest of the land over to wilderness. Consider this your ultimate guide to navigating this terrain—from how to get to Denali, to the best in-park experiences and where to rest your head. 

All listings featured on  Condé Nast Traveler  are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Fly into Fairbanks or Anchorage, then drive or take the Alaska Railroad to the Denali National Park—either way, the views won't disappoint. 

Getting to and around Denali National Park

There is just one major highway leading to Denali National Park: The Parks Highway connects Denali to Fairbanks, about two and a half hours to the north, and  Anchorage , about four and a half hours to the south. Both cities have well-connected airports and multiple  car rental  options.

If you don't want to drive, limited motorcoach services can get you to Denali during the summer: Try  Alaska/Yukon Trails or  The Park Connection .

The last, most luxurious option for reaching Denali is the  Alaska Railroad which, like the Parks Highway, runs from Anchorage to Fairbanks or vice versa. 

You don't need a car to get around in Denali National Park, but if you visit during the shoulder season you can drive your own vehicle as far into the park as road conditions allow.

Denali National Park's peak season is mid-May through mid-September. Most tour, lodging, and restaurant amenities shut down as soon as the peak season ends, but if you're prepared to DIY a trip in winter conditions—or want to book a day tour out of Fairbanks—you can still visit during the winter. Visiting during the early-May or mid- to late-September shoulder seasons offers a more secluded experience. Amenities and tour options are extremely limited, but September in particular is a beautiful time for exploring the park, when the weather cooperates.

Travel the park road

Perhaps the best-known excursion in Denali is taking a bus ride on the lone road running into the park.

Narrated tour buses and hop-on, hop-off  transit buses , both joint ventures between global hospitality provider Aramark and  Alaska Native corporation   Doyon, Limited , used to run all the way down the 92-mile park road—but an  ongoing land slump has forced partial closure of the road, so all vehicle traffic currently turns around at mile 43. Officials are building a bridge across the landslide/slump area and  hope to have it open by 2025 .

For a quick (and free) taste of the park road, you can catch the  courtesy shuttle that runs between the Denali Visitor Center and Savage River (mile 15 of the park road).

You can also rent a bicycle from  Bike Denali , about a (bikeable) mile outside the park entrance, and explore as far as you like along the park road, or drive your personal vehicle as far as mile 15 during peak season, although the small parking area at Savage River fills up fast.

See North America's tallest peak

It's natural to expect a glimpse of North America's tallest mountain, Denali, when you come to the park that bears its name. But you'll have to venture to at least mile 9 of the park road before the elevation is high enough to reveal 20,310' Denali. If you're feeling adventurous you can also hike to the top of the aptly named Mountain Vista trail, at about mile 12, for more views.

The mountain is often obscured by clouds so if you don't get to see it while in the park, don't despair: You can also catch a glimpse from the Alaska Railroad trains or, if you're driving, from several well-marked waysides along the Parks Highway. 

Denali National Park has hiking trails with views of the namesake mountain, lakes, and wildlife like beavers. 

Take a hike

Denali is home to a handful of beautiful hiking trails, including the beloved Savage River and Alpine trails, and the stunning Triple Lakes Trail where you might be able to add beavers to your wildlife-viewing checklist, but you're also welcome to hike off-trail from the park road. Just hop off at any likely-looking pullout and explore.

No matter where you hike, it's important that you carry bear spray, which you can rent from the  Alaska Geographic store in the park, next to the Denali Visitor Center—and know  what to do if you encounter wildlife . Park rangers are also available to help you choose a hiking destination and coach you on how to handle wildlife encounters. They also lead a  variety of group activities , including hikes both on- and off-trail.

Visit with sled dogs

Denali National Park is home to the National Park Service's only working kennel of sled dogs.  Rangers demonstrate how they work with the dogs two-to-three times per day through the summer; you can walk to the kennels from the park entrance, or catch a free shuttle bus.

Other tours

You'll see a wide variety of other tour options advertised for Denali National Park, including whitewater rafting, horseback riding, ATV tours, and Jeep tours. With very few exceptions, these take place along the boundary of the park, not actually in it. But adventuring alongside Denali can be a fine—and thrilling—way to spend your visit. 

Among companies operating just outside the park,  Denali Horseback Tours is a perennial favorite. Their reliable steeds take you off into the hills for beautiful vistas overlooking the park and neighboring lands, without any of the noise or exhaust from a Jeep or ATV tour. If you do want the thrill of a motor-driven vehicle, though,  Denali ATV Adventures is hugely popular.

A last, favorite way of seeing Denali at near-distance is from the water. Whitewater rafting tours from companies like the family-owned  Denali Raft Adventures take you down the Nenana River, which forms the natural boundary on the east side of Denali National Park. Rafting excursions range from pulse-pounding to relatively sedate, so there’s something for almost everybody.

If you’re ready to splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime experience,  Alaska Alpine Adventures is an excellent guide service that does have the required permits to work inside the park. Their custom hiking and backpacking tours demand a fairly high level of physical fitness, but if you’ve been working out regularly before your trip, they might be a good fit. 

Visit Denali between September and April if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. 

Where to stay in Denali National Park

Most of Denali's lodges and hotels cluster just outside the park entrance, but you'll find others dotted up and down the Parks Highway, extending as far north and south as the small towns of Healy and Cantwell, respectively.

For a true wilderness experience, consider flying in to one of the backcountry lodges at the end of the Denali National Park Road, like the  Denali Backcountry Lodge —the only lodge in this area that’s posh enough to offer (limited) spa service—and the famed  Kantishna Roadhouse , which serves gourmet food and offers guided programs in a small-group setting. Usually these lodges are accessed by bus, but due to the partial closure of the park road they're expected to operate on a fly-in-only basis through 2024.

If you like sleeping under the stars, Denali offers numerous options for camping during the summer. Usually all six of  the park’s established campgrounds are open through peak visitor season, but only five of those campgrounds are currently accessible (due to the aforementioned road closure).  Backcountry summer camping is also an option, as long as you get a permit (available only in person), carry a bear-resistant food container, and take the requisite wildlife-safety training (also only offered in person). 

Nearby attractions

If you've brought a vehicle to Denali National Park, consider taking a side trip on the spectacular Denali Highway, which threads an east/west route through spectacularly wild, remote terrain between the tiny towns of Cantwell (near the Denali park entrance) and Paxson, which sits on the north/south Richardson Highway. 

This "highway" can be very slow, rough going, so you might want to break up the trip by staying at one of the remote lodges dotted along its length, including the Alpine Creek Lodge (near Cantwell) and the Maclaren River Lodge (near Paxson). You'll also need to make sure your rental car agreement allows travel on gravel highways. Try  Alaska Auto Rental , which has locations in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Denali.

Fairbanks is your closest source of city amenities, and offers a wealth of day and multi-day tours in its own right, like  Northern Alaska Tour Company’s flying and driving tours to the Arctic Circle (and beyond), the most authentic gold-panning experience in town with family-owned  Gold Daughters , and a chance to roam the forest with reindeer at the delightfully unexpected  Running Reindeer Farm . If you happen to visit in winter, Fairbanks is your very best home base for  seeing the northern lights .

Also in Fairbanks, don’t miss a chance to  learn more about local Alaska Native culture with a stop by the  Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center , which houses several dioramas depicting traditional life through the seasons, an excellent gift shop for purchasing Alaska Native crafts, and the  Tanana Chiefs Cultural Connections show in July and August.  

If you've heard of the famous small-plane "flightseeing" trips around Denali the mountain, it might come as a surprise to hear that most of them don't set out from Denali National Park at all. Instead, the nearby small town of Talkeetna—accessible by driving, the Alaska Railroad, or Park Connection motorcoaches—is the usual launching-off place for flightseeing trips around the mountain, offered by  Talkeetna Air Taxi ,  Sheldon Air Service , and  K2 Aviation .

Where to eat 

During the summer, there's a surprising variety of dining options packed into the road just outside the park entrance. For casual pub-style grub try  49th State Brewing Company , and for the most upscale meal available in the area, check out the  Alpenglow restaurant in the Grande Denali Lodge. Last but absolutely not least, the beloved  Moose-AKa's restaurant provides Eastern European cuisine in an authentic tavern setting.

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The ULTIMATE guide to visiting Denali National Park (Things to do, road closure info, & itineraries!)

Last updated on January 26th, 2024

Visiting Denali National Park? In this guide we’re sharing the best things to do in Denali National Park, plus where to stay, tours we recommend, and more! After spending 5 months driving to Alaska , including an epic drive on the Alaska Highway , we finally made it to the Last Frontier and our first stop? Denali National Park and Preserve! It felt fitting to kick off our 2.5 months in the state, after such an incredible journey to get there, with the tallest mountain not only in Alaska, but in North America! We spent a total of 4 days in the park and experienced as much of it as we possibly could, including short day hikes, riding the bus, going on an off trail adventure, and seeing adorable sled dogs.

Watch our first time in Denali National Park , where we explored the first 15 miles of the park, plus our experience camping and hiking in Denali National Park past mile 15 !

And in this guide we’re sharing everything you need to know before visiting Denali National Park, including important road closures, how to navigate the park, the best things to do in Denali, itinerary options, and more!

Looking for more things to do in Alaska?

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About Denali National Park

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Denali National Park is home to Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, at 20,310 feet. It was first established as a national park in 1917, originally called Mount McKinley National Park, but in 1980, the park was renamed to Denali National Park and Preserve and in 2015, the mountain itself was renamed to Denali, which is a Koyukon Athabascan word that means “The Great One.”  Besides its monumental peak, the park is home to 6 million acres of wilderness, full of other beautiful mountains, taiga and tundra terrain, glaciers, and tons of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and dall sheep, just to name a few! Note: Denali is pronounced “Den-alley” not “Den-ollie,” despite what many people think (we blame GMC for mispronouncing their SUV name!). While how to pronounce Denali is a heated topic, as evidenced by our YouTube comments, our research using this article , plus this video from Chief Mitch Demientieff , and this video from the Denali Borough mayor , made us feel pretty confident that it is in fact “Den-alley.” While this may not matter to those who aren’t making YouTube videos and saying the name publicly, we do think it’s important to learn the proper pronunciation of words and places, especially when they have indigenous origins.

Before embarking on your adventure, please review the  Leave No Trace principles  to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come! These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 

Understanding the different areas of Denali National Park

Alaska is home to 8 US national parks, many of which require a plane or boat to get to, and Denali National Park is one of the most accessible, as it’s reachable by car. However, it is quite a bit different than most national parks and before we dive into the best things to do in Denali National Park, plus other logistical information, it’s important to understand how the park is laid out and how you can get around.  The park itself is 6 million acres, but only a small portion is accessible by visitors along the park’s 92 mile long Park Road. Although, not all of this 92 mile road is accessible by private vehicle. In fact, the majority is not. And because of this, it can be a bit confusing to visit. So below we are breaking down the park by three different areas and sharing what to expect for each one, how to get around, and more!

The first 15 miles of the park are the easiest (and cheapest!) to visit, plus offers a wide variety of things to do for all activity levels. This is where you can find the main visitor center, a handful of maintained, day hike options, the dog sledding facility, and two large campgrounds. This is also the only part of the park where you can drive your own vehicle! From mile 0-15, you are able to freely drive around the park and this stretch of park road is fully paved, with different pullouts, plus trailheads to enjoy along the way. And if you visit the park on a clear day, you can start to see Denali around mile 9. While we suggest driving your own vehicle to get around this section, you do have the option to take one of the paid park buses (more on that later!) or one of the free shuttles , which can take you to the Mountain View and Savage River trailheads, Riley Creek Campground and Horseshoe Lake trailhead, plus the dog sledding demonstration.

If you want to venture further than mile 15, minus a few exceptions, which we will explain below, you are required to take one of the park buses. You have a couple options to choose from and we will break them down in the “things to do” section of this guide.  There are a few important things to know about this section of the park:

• The road from mile 15-43 is not paved, but is a pretty well maintained gravel road that is suitable for any type of vehicle.
• There aren’t many services in this area, minus a couple campgrounds and a couple of restrooms. 
• There are no maintained trails and this area of the park is best explored by going off trail, which we will discuss later, as well as from the bus window.

Although it is a bit more difficult and expensive to visit this part of the park, we highly recommend it. This is where you get to escape the crowds of the first 15 miles and explore the tundra and wilderness that makes this park special. It’s also a great spot to see wildlife!

Want to drive past mile 15 on your own? Here are three ways you can do so:

Visit in April, May, or mid September If you visit between mid April and mid May, you may have the chance to drive about 30 miles down the park road. The park begins plowing the road in March and until the bus service starts in mid May, you have the opportunity to drive a bit further than normal, weather and conditions permitting. You can check the spring road opening status here ! They also allow private vehicles to go up to 30 miles into the park, once again weather depending, usually about mid-September, after the bus tours end for the season and until snow forces the road to close. Camp at the Teklanika River Campground  The Teklanika River Campground is located at mile 29.1 and you are allowed to drive your personal vehicle to this campground, however, you are not supposed to stop along the way. And once at the campground (which requires a 3 night minimum), your vehicle cannot leave until you check out and you can only explore by bus during your time there, using a special pass called a Tek Pass. While this may seem restrictive, we personally loved it! We were able to camp in our van and have our pup Kona with us, as well as reduce a lot of bus commuting time by being further into the park.

Read more about how to camp at the Teklanika River Campground in our guide , plus watch our video of our experience !

Win the lottery! (Currently NOT being offered) No, not that lottery! Every September the park has a four day event called Road Lottery, where those who win the permit lottery are able to drive as much of the park road as possible, which depending on the weather, can be all the way to the end! This permit costs $25 and the odds are about 1 in 7.  There is also a fifth day offered for active duty military. You can learn more about both of these lotteries here ! NOTE: This is NOT being offered currently, due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide, which we will detail below. But hopefully it will come back, so we wanted to mention it anyway! If none of these options work for you, you do have one more option: ride a bike! Bikes can travel anywhere you’d like on Park Road, but keep in mind that after mile 15, the road is not paved. You can rent bikes from Bike Denali if you need one!

As we mentioned above, the park road is 92 miles long, but unfortunately due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide that happened around mile 45.4 back in August 2021, the park is closed past mile 43. You are still able to take the park buses to just before mile 43 and walk some of the road right until the closure, but you are unable to go any further. They estimate that this part of the park will be closed through summer 2026 , which is a big reason as to why we wanted to write this guide, to help people navigate this closure and still find things to do in Denali National Park!

The one exception: Denali Backcountry Lodge

There is one way you can experience the back half of the park, by visiting Denali Backcountry Lodge ! This lodge requires you to fly on a helicopter to the property and starts at $1,650 a person per day, so it’s definitely not for the vast majority of travelers. But we imagine it would be worth it if you could afford it!

Is it still worth visiting the park with the closures? 

It depends! We personally liked that there was less to do, as it made the park less overwhelming. However, we do hear the best views are past mile 43, so we will be back someday to see that! But you can still have an amazing time in the park with the closures and if you’re going to Alaska already, we would suggest still going. If you want to make a special trip to Alaska just for Denali National Park, you may want to wait. We personally liked the other national parks in Alaska even more than Denali, so it will not ruin your entire trip if you can only experience part of the park.

You aren’t guaranteed to see the mountain

Even though Denali is the tallest mountain in North America, it can still be difficult to see. Only 30% of visitors get to see Denali when they visit because of weather that can block it. We were lucky enough to join the 30% club on our first day in the park! But the remaining three days in the park were too cloudy to see the mountain. The mountain can be seen from the Park Road as early as mile 9 and you get a great view on the Savage Alpine trail too!

Entrance fee

It costs $15 per person for a 7 day pass, for those 16 and older, to visit Denali National Park year round. This is a bit different from other parks, which have a flat fee per vehicle. And also unlike many parks, there is no entrance booth at Denali National Park. You can either buy your pass online in advance , get it at the visitor center, or use an automated pay station at the Murie Science and Learning Center . If you visit many National Parks, we recommend getting the America the Beautiful pass , which is $80 per year and gets you into all National Park Service managed sites and federal lands for free. 

Bear Safety

Alaska is home to all three species of North American bears and in Denali National Park you’ll have a good chance of seeing black bears and grizzly bears. As awesome as that is, it is very important to know what to do if you encounter a bear so you can avoid a negative interaction. 

A few very important tips are:

• Never approach a bear.
• Don’t surprise a bear! Make noise as you are hiking.
• Don’t feed a bear or leave food out for them to get! Feeding them makes them accustomed to humans which will cause them to expect food from humans and increasing the chance of negative encounters. A fed bear is a dead bear.
• Always be alert and look for signs of a bear. If you do encounter a bear, stay calm, ready your deterrent, stand your ground and group up with the other people in your party, talk calmly to the bear and do not run.
• You can read more on the Alaska Fish and Game website to learn more about what to do if you see a bear, as the best approach does vary a bit depending on the species of bear.

Moose Safety

Bears aren’t the only big animal you’ll want to be on the lookout for. While we didn’t see any bears in Denali National Park, we saw quite a few moose! Moose are often viewable from the side of the road, but if you’re like us, you may encounter some on trail. 

Here are some moose safety tips to understand before visiting, so you don’t have a negative encounter:

• Never feed a moose, or any wildlife for that matter. 
• Try to stay at least 50 feet away and if they start approaching you, maintain that distance, and give it the trail. 
• If a moose has its ears back or the hair on the back of its neck raised, it’s probably angry and it might charge you. If you are charged, try to sneak behind a tree and never get between a cow and its calf. 

Cell Coverage

Cell coverage in the park was very good around the visitor center. In fact, we spent days working in the visitor center parking lot before actually exploring the park. But the cell service got worse to non-existent after a few miles away from the visitor center area. 

The visitor center has ample parking, including for RVs! There was a pretty large lot that had pull-through spots, which could fit both truck and trailer style RVs, plus large Class A RVs.

There is one restaurant in the park, the Morino Grill, which is right by the visitor center. However, you can find quite a few options just outside of the park! We personally recommend bringing a packed lunch though.

Dogs can be walked on park roads, campgrounds, or in parking lots, but are not allowed on trails or off-trail in the wilderness, except for Roadside Trail and the Bike Path. Just be careful…we got trapped by 3 moose on this dog friendly section and had to go through bushes to get back to the road. The good thing is that even though your pup cannot enjoy much of the park, you can get your dog fix at the Dog Sled Demonstration in the park! 

Learn how we travel with a dog and what we do with Kona when she cannot join us on our adventures.

Construction

There are two seasons in Alaska, winter and construction season. Many roads across the state will be under construction if you visit in the warmer months and you might encounter long stretches of gravel road and be stalled by waiting in construction traffic. Alaska 511 will be your best best for information on construction and road conditions. During our visit, there was a big chunk of construction near the park that we did have to sit in for a while.

How long do you need?

Denali National Park is a large park, but the areas you can easily visit are relatively small. While you could spend one day exploring the easier to access spots, we’d suggest at least two days to enjoy both the first 15 miles and up to mile 43. We spent a total of four days and really enjoyed that amount of time, as it allowed us to not rush. At the end of this guide we’ll be including different itinerary options, ranging from one to four days! 

The Best Things to do in Denali National Park (between miles 0-15)

Since the experience in Denali National Park varies by area, we will be breaking down the best things to do in Denali National Park by mileage, to hopefully make it easier to plan your own trip. And first up, miles 0-15, which is the area you can explore on your own!

Hiking in Denali National Park is a bit different from other parks. Despite being about 6 million acres, there are only around 35 miles of actual developed and maintained trails in the park, all of which are in the first 15 miles of the park road. Beyond that, you can enjoy off trail hiking, which is something we will share under the “Things to do in Denali National Park (Miles 15-43)” section. Below are the trails you can find in the first part of the park!

Savage Alpine Trail 

Miles (point to point): 4.1 Elevation: 1,414 feet Reviews & Current Conditions The Savage Alpine trail was one of our favorite hikes in the park, especially within the first 15 miles! 

This hike will take you through a little bit of forest, before gaining elevation (it’s pretty steep!) and getting above the treeline, with sweeping views of the valley, the park road below, as well as mountains almost all around. And if you have a clear day you’ll hopefully have the ultimate sight in the park, a view of the Great One, Denali! Compared to the Mount Healy Overlook trail, which we will discuss below, the view from Denali is much better on the Savage Alpine trail, as it’s less obstructed. We feel so lucky that we hiked this on a clear morning and got to see this majestic peak!

The trail itself is pretty rocky once out of the tree filled section, with some steeper, slick gravel to walk on, plus some unique rock formations that you’ll hike between. While none of it is that difficult, having shoes with good grip will help!  One important thing to know about this hike is that you can start and end in different spots, making this a one way hike versus roundtrip. We started at the Mountain Vista Picnic Area and ended at the Savage River Loop Trailhead . 

While you can turn around at the Savage River Loop Trailhead and hike back the way you came, we suggest instead adding on the Savage River Loop trail (more on that below!) for about 6 miles total, and then taking the FREE park shuttle back to the Mountain Vista Picnic Area. You also can park at the visitor center and take the free shuttle to the Mountain Vista Picnic Area and then take it back to the visitor center from the Savage River area, if you don’t want to drive.

To learn more about hiking the Savage Alpine trail, plus Savage River trail, check out our guide to combining both trails , which includes more information on the trails!

Savage River Loop Trail

Distance (round trip): 2.1 miles Elevation:  413 feet Reviews & Current Conditions The Savage River Loop trail starts right at mile 15, but you are allowed to drive here yourself. This is a really short, sweet, and flat hike that offers a lot of bang for your buck. The trail follows the beautiful glacial Savage River for about a mile, when you’ll then cross a bridge (which was closed for us, but we hear has been fixed) and return on the other side of the river. Along the way you’ll have some unique rocky walls surrounding you! We almost didn’t get to do this hike though, as just before we started it, a grizzly bear had been spotted right by the picnic area and they closed the trail. They thankfully reopened it right before we started the hike!

Mount Healy Overlook Trail

Distance (round trip): 6.9 miles (closer to 5 miles if you do not go to the summit) Elevation:  2,483 feet (closer to 1,700 feet if you do not go to the summit) Reviews & Current Conditions Located very close to the beginning of the park, the Mount Healy Overlook trail is a leg burner, but well worth it for the views it affords! The first half of the trail is steep and mostly through the forest, with views behind you.  But don’t worry, you’ll eventually get above the tree line and have more views and after almost 2.5 miles you’ll reach a more open area, where the views really open up! From up here you’ll have 360º views. And if you’re lucky, you may see Denali off in the distance too! It was pretty cloudy for us, but we could make out part of the mountain.

At this spot you’ll notice a sign that says “end of maintained trail.” You can continue on from here to the actual summit (the AllTrails map and stats above are for the actual summit), but from this point forward the trail is not maintained and it’s a pretty steep climb. We were too tired to continue on, but hope to try this next time!  As great as this trail is, if you only have time for one day hike, we’d recommend the Savage Alpine Trail over this one because the Savage Alpine has more expansive views on the way up and we personally thought the view of Denali was more open and closer from the Savage Alpine Trail.

Check out our guide to hiking the Mount Healy Overlook Trail , to learn more about the hike and what to expect along the way!

Horseshoe Lake Trail

Distance (round trip): 2.1 miles Elevation:  393 feet Reviews & Current Conditions The Horseshoe Lake Trail may seem easy and less exciting on paper, as it doesn’t gain a ton of elevation, but we found it to be a very fun and diverse hike. You’ll hike from the park road, across railroad tracks, and through the woods to a beautiful, although partially covered in trees, overlook of Horseshoe Lake, which is shaped like a horseshoe and has a stunning bright blue color in certain areas and when hit by the sunshine. 

The trail then descends down to lake level and you make a figure 8 shape as you hike. Along the way you’ll encounter beaver dams, the Nenana River, and get to walk right along the lakeshore.

To learn more about what to expect along this hike, read our guide to hiking the Horseshoe Lake Trail !

Triple Lakes Trail

Distance (point to point): 9.1 miles Elevation:  1,922 feet Reviews & Current Conditions The Triple Lakes Trail is the longest maintained trail in Denali National Park, at 9.1 miles point to point. You can start from either the north or south end, although most hikers park at the visitor center or from the southern trailhead and only hike a portion of the hike, turning around at the high point after 4-5 miles. The hike is named after the three lakes that are on the southern end of the trail and depending on which portion of the hike you do, you’ll go through the forest, across multiple rivers, plus a suspension bridge (closer to the northern part), as well as have views of the mountains and of some of the lakes from above. There is no park shuttle to take you between the endpoints so if you’d like to hike the entire trail, we read that there may be some taxi services in the area you can hire to help you, or if you’re staying at one of the nearby accommodations, they might be able to arrange a shuttle service for you. 

McKinley Station Trail

Distance (round trip): 3.2 miles Elevation: 446 feet Reviews & Current Conditions The McKinley Station Trail begins near the Visitor Center and winds through the forest a bit and takes you by the river, where you can see a cool railroad trestle. While we wouldn’t pick this hike over the others, if you want an easier stroll, this is a good option!

Rock Creek Trail

Distance (round trip): 5.1 miles Elevation: 1,000 feet Reviews & Current Conditions The Rock Creek Trail is more of a nature walk through the forest, with occasional mountain views. The highlight of this trail is that you’ll end at the dog sled demonstration area and you can walk in and visit with the dogs. You can return the way you came, walk the Roadside Trail, or take the park shuttle back to the Visitor Center where you started. You can also take the shuttle to the dog sled demonstration and then walk this trail back instead!

Roadside Trail

Distance (round trip): 4.2 miles Elevation: 767 feet Reviews & Current Conditions The Roadside Trail parallels the Park Road, leading you to the dog kennels. It is similar to the Rock Creek Trail, except it is closer to the road. It is still pretty forested though! We used this trail to walk back from the dog sled demonstration and it was a nice alternative to taking the shuttle. This is also one of the only dog friendly trails in the park!

One thing that Alaska is famous for is dog sledding, specifically the Iditarod, which is a long distance race that occurs every March. And since 1922, Denali National Park has had sled dogs, which help rangers patrol the park in the winter!  The park offers free sled dog demonstrations in the summertime during three time slots each day, at 10 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM. During this demonstration you’ll get to see the dogs run a short loop track, plus learn a bit about how dog sledding works and the different roles the dogs have. But the best part is that both before and after you can meet the dogs! 

There is very limited parking by the sled dog facility, so we suggest either taking the free dog sled shuttle to get to it, which leaves 40 mins before the demonstration, or you can walk 1.5 miles each way along the Roadside trail (or Rock Creek trail). On our visit we didn’t want to risk not finding parking for our large van, so we took the shuttle and then walked the Roadside trail back.

The Denali National Park Visitor Center is really nice! They have a park film you can watch, different exhibits about the park, and you can speak with a park ranger to answer any questions you may have.  Beyond the visitor center, there is also the Murie Science and Learning Center , which is located at mile 1.3. In the summer rangers give a talk from 1-3 PM and you can see the exhibits that share about fossilized dinosaur footprints. In the winter, the Murie Science and Learning Center acts as the main visitor center. If you decide to visit then, this is a good spot to chat with the rangers and even borrow snowshoes!

The Best Things to do in Denali National Park (between miles 15-43)

The Denali Park Road is 92 miles and for those looking to venture further into the park than mile 15, you will need to purchase a ticket to ride one of the park buses. As of 2024 and through summer 2026, the park bus will only go to just before mile 43, due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide, but it is still worth taking the bus beyond mile 15, in our opinion! You have a choice between a non-narrated transit bus and a narrated tour bus to choose from and below is a breakdown of the options! 

Non-narrated transit bus

Cost: $33.25 for adults (free for children 15 and younger) and can be purchased through the park concessionaire . The price for the bus ride does NOT include entrance to the park. Bus Color: Green Length: 4.5 hours round trip, not including any stops you make. Who it is best for: Those who want to hike in this area of the park, including walking the riverbeds, walking part of the road closure, and hiking off trail!

The non-narrated transit bus is for those interested in an off trail hiking experience or want to experience the park on their own terms. These buses are here to move people around the park and are a hop on, hop off style, with the ability to get off anywhere you wish, not just at designated stops.  Along the ride, the bus driver will make restroom stops, stop for wildlife, and provide basic information about the park, but will not provide a formal talk or program. However, all of our drivers shared different facts and information along the ride, so we still feel like we learned a lot along the way.

The drivers were also very knowledgeable about the park and helped us in deciding which off trail hike we wanted to pursue. And if you do want to hike off trail, you will simply tell the driver to drop you off wherever you’d like to start your hike and you can be picked up anywhere along the road, just by waving down a green bus as it approaches (not the tan ones, those are narrated and do not pick up hikers). There does need to be space for them to pick you up, but we didn’t encounter any issues.   The buses leave from the visitor center and go all the way to East Fork, just before mile 43, and then turn around. Most people will get off here and walk the riverbed or walk the road closure as far as you can go, which we loved doing (and will share more about below)!

During peak season there are more than 20 buses traveling along the road and they leave about every 30 minutes, so you won’t have to wait long for another bus to come by. Be sure to bring a lunch or snacks with you because once you leave the visitor center area, there is no food to purchase!

Narrated tour bus

Cost: $116.25-$144.00 for adults ($50.75-$64.50 for children 15 and younger), depending on the tour. These can be purchased through the park concessionaire and DOES include entrance to the park. Bus Color: Tan Length: 4.5-5.5 hours round trip, depending on the tour. Who it is best for: Those who want to learn as much information as possible and would rather see the park from a bus, instead of getting to hike or explore on their own.

On the narrated bus you will be driven by a trained naturalist who will provide an informative trip into the park. This bus is intended for visitors who want to be guided through the park and learn more about the park’s culture and history, rather than hike and explore on their own. In contrast with the transit buses, visitors will stay with the same bus the entire tour rather than getting off and re-boarding onto other buses.  Currently there are two different tours you can choose from and those are the Denali Natural History Tour and the Tundra Wilderness Tour (the longer and more expensive of the two). These bus tours are offered from mid-May to mid-September. Denali Natural History Tour On the Denali Natural History tour you’ll learn all about the natural and cultural history of Denali National Park over 4.5 to 5 hours. The tour makes several stops along the way including the Savage Cabin, an Alaska Native presentation where you’ll learn how the land has been used for over 10,000 years, and for any wildlife sightings.  It costs $116.25 for adults and $50.75 for kids (15 and younger) and the entrance fee to the park is included in the price and you do get a water bottle.  Tundra Wilderness Tour This tour is a 5.5 hour experience that takes you as far as you can go on the Park Road to where the road currently ends. Along the way you’ll stop for wildlife and once at East Fork you’ll learn about Adolf Murie and explore his cabin, where he conducted his wildlife research during the 30s and 40s.  The tour costs $144 per adult and $64.50 for those 15 and younger. The entrance fee to the park is included in this price and you do get a water bottle and snack pack!

Walk the road closure

As we mentioned above, the Transit bus can take you all the way to East Fork, which is where the road is closed due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide. However, there is still about 2 miles of road that you are able to walk once getting off the bus! While you will be walking on a gravel road, which doesn’t sound too exciting, the views were phenomenal! We could see tons of mountains, including some that had an orange hue to them, plus we saw a bunch of caribou down below.

The walk along the road ends right where the official road closure is, which is marked by signs and orange barriers. From here, you can see the actual landslide, which is pretty wild to see. And what is even crazier is that people rode on a bus on this road just days before the landslide…can you imagine knowing you just missed it?!

After walking the entire road, we went down to the river, right by the bus stop and enjoyed wandering around for a bit down there. It is a braided river, with many different streams of water and places to hop across the river. We saw another caribou enjoying the riverbed as well!

Unlike many national parks, which require you to stay on trail, Denali is a bit different, as off trail hiking is not only allowed, but encouraged . As avid Leave No Trace followers, this was a weird concept to us, as we always try to stick to existing routes, but after talking with many rangers we did confirm that yes, it’s totally okay to go off trail! The reason for this is that since the park is so vast, having off trail routes helps eliminate the same areas being constantly worn down by hikers. We will say though, off trail hiking is daunting and we struggled to find much information about where to even hike off trail! They say you can go almost anywhere, but how do you even know where to start?  So below we are sharing your two main options for hiking off trail, one of which is with a ranger and the other, totally on your own. 

Discovery Hikes

The easiest way to hike off trail is to sign up for a Discovery Hike , which is a ranger led off trail hike. On these experiences you’ll meet with a ranger and then ride a park bus out to your hiking destination. The Discovery Hike is free to sign up, but you’ll need to purchase a transit bus ticket to ride on the park bus if your hike begins past the mile 15 checkpoint.  However, there is a specific “disco bus” (disco=discovery) for you, so you won’t have to worry about park buses selling out. Also, if you’ve already purchased a bus ticket, but end up signing up for a Discovery Hike, your ticket can be exchanged, although it is the same price.  Discovery Hikes are offered starting mid-June and you can reserve a spot on a Discovery Hike only in person at the visitor center (with everyone in your group present), just one to two days beforehand. When you sign up, the rangers will discuss with you what the upcoming options are for hikes, including distance, difficulty, etc. If you decide to do a Discovery Hike, plan to spend up to 10 hours on the experience. The bus ride itself could be up to 2 hours each way and you could be hiking anywhere from 3-5 hours. During the experience, your ranger will lead you on an off trail hike over all sorts of terrain and the hikes will vary in difficulty from more flat and easy to more elevation gain and large river crossings.

Off trail hiking independently

We considered doing a Discovery Hike, but ultimately decided to try a hike on our own. And it turned out to be our favorite experience in the park! However, we had quite a bit of anxiety about the experience beforehand. We had read about some routes online, but still felt pretty clueless about where to go. So we talked to several rangers both in the visitor center, on the bus, and at mile 43 road closure trying to get a grasp of a good starting point for us.  We wanted a medium challenging experience that wouldn’t take all day (as Kona was going to be in our van at the Teklanika River Campground) and would be relatively easy to follow. And we ultimately decided to hike up to Mount Margaret, which we loved! You can view our AllTrails activity if you’d like to replicate it and you can also watch our experience in this video .

Want to get 30% off an AllTrails+ membership ? Use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)! We use AllTrails+ on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! Some of the features we love are offline maps (so we can navigate even without cell service), wrong-turn alerts, and its 3D maps feature, so we can get a feel for trails before we hike.

We let our bus driver know where we wanted to hike and he dropped us off alongside the road, right where there was a slight opening in the brush. Although there was a short section of thick brush to get through before we got above the treeline (we made LOTS of noise here to hopefully scare off bears!), it was very open after that, which made it easy to see where to go. We also had a slightly beaten down path to follow, which almost made it feel like it was an actual trail. Along the hike we walked along the tundra, with amazing mountain views and we even saw about 22 Dall Sheep off in the distance! Minus a small group of people at the beginning, we also had the entire trail to ourselves, which made the experience extra special for us. 

The beauty of off trail hiking is that you can go as little or as far as you’d like. We hiked up to a ridgeline, which was like another world! It was such a vast and open area with crazy rock formations and plenty of rocks to sit on and enjoy lunch. It also started to get really foggy, which added a moody element to the hike! Turning around and heading back was straightforward, as we could see the road the entire time and we had also tracked our route on AllTrails, making us feel confident that we wouldn’t get lost. We safely made it back down to the road and waited alongside the road for the next green hiker bus going west, waving down the first one that we saw. We hopped on and enjoyed an easy ride back to our campsite, feeling super accomplished for what we achieved on our own! 

Tips for off trail hiking:

• If you have the time, what many people do is get on the green transit bus as early as possible and go as far as the bus can take you, making note of some spots that look like they would interest you to hike to. Then, on the way back, let your driver know where you’d like to be let off and then begin your hike. You can also ask the driver what spot would be good to do an off trail hike and they can take you to a starting point.
• If the route that we did seems too daunting to try on your own, one easier option for an off trail hike is to walk along the braided river at East Fork. This is where the transit bus will turn around and you can get off here and walk along the river as far as you’d like.
• Once you finish your hike you just hang out along the road and wait for the next green transit bus to come by, which is usually every 30-60 minutes, and wave them down. It would be helpful to have a copy of the bus schedule on your phone so you can have an idea when the next bus will be coming by, as there will be no cell service.

How to have the least amount of impact on your off trail hike and stay safe:

• Do not travel in a single file line. Make sure to spread out!
• Hike on durable surfaces when possible. The tundra is fragile, so stick to rocks when you can!
• Be prepared with plenty of water and food.
• Let someone know your plan.
• Expect bad weather and be prepared with layers.
• Carry a first aid kit and the 10 essentials .
• Try to track your hike on AllTrails so that you can follow your route back and not get lost.
• We would only recommend off trail hiking to experienced hikers and ones that have the ability to track their route with GPS.

Other things to do in Denali National Park

There are a variety of tour options you can take in and near Denali National Park, which can add some extra adventure (and even more epic views) to your visit!

Flightseeing tour

For the ultimate view of Denali and the park, go on a flightseeing tour! This is something we’d love to do on a future trip, as we have heard it is truly spectacular! There are several operators in the area to choose from.  Fly Denali Based out of Healy, Fly Denali offers a handful of different flightseeing tours. They fly four times per day and recommend you make your reservation as soon as possible. Denali Air Flightseeing Tours Denali Air Flightseeing Tours is located the closest of any to Denali National Park, so almost all of your flight will be inside the park. This tour operator has up to seven flights per day, so they are very flexible if you need to reschedule or adjust your reservation. K2 Aviation K2 Aviation is a popular tour provider based out of Talkeetna, which is about 100 miles south of the park. We heard especially good things about this company! They offer a variety of tour options, ranging in cost, with the chance to add on a glacier landing as well! Talkeetna Air Service This flightseeing tour with glacier landing also leaves from Talkeetna, AK and looks amazing!

Helicopter Tour

Prefer to fly on a helicopter? You could also go on a helicopter tour with TEMSCO Helicopters Inc . 

Go Whitewater Rafting

One activity that we saw many people do in Denali National Park was whitewater rafting ! This tour with Denali Raft Adventures will take you down the Nenana River, right by Denali National Park!

Another epic way to enjoy the park would be to bike the Park Road. Bikes can go anywhere on the Park Road, minus wildlife and construction closures. eBikes are also allowed, as long as they are under 750 Watts and (you can see all eBike rules here ).

Denali National Park Itinerary Options

This option is best for those who want to hike in the park and experience the best things the first 15 miles has to offer!

• Start the day with a hike on the Savage Alpine trail, with the addition of the Savage River Loop trail. We suggest starting at the Mountain View trailhead and then taking the free shuttle back from the Savage River trailhead.
• Head towards the visitor center, which will be your homebase for the rest of the day. 
• If you’re not too tired from the Savage Alpine trail, hike the Mount Healy Overlook!
• Attend one of the sled dog demonstrations, taking the bus at least one of the directions.
• Hike the Horseshoe Lake trail to end the day!

This option is best for those who want to see as much of the scenery as they can in the park and don’t want to spend as much time hiking.

• Take one of the bus tours! You could either do a narrated bus or take the transit bus and add on some time around mile 43 to explore the road closure area.
• If you have any additional time after your tour, do one of the day hikes in the first 15 miles of the park or go see the sled dog demonstration!

If you have two days in the park, we suggest combining the two one day options above to make the perfect two days in Denali National Park!

• Start the day with a hike on the Savage Alpine trail, with the addition of the Savage River trail. We suggest starting at the Mountain View trailhead and then taking the free shuttle back from the Savage River trailhead.
• Take the transit bus tour to mile 43 and spend a couple hours exploring the riverbed and also the road closure area.
• Do an off trail hike! You can either do one of the Discovery Hikes or take the transit bus and have it drop you off in a spot that looked good to hike at the day before!
• If off trail hiking isn’t for you, spend this day hiking more in the first 15 miles, including the Triple Lakes trail!

This itinerary is perfect for anyone staying at the Teklanika River Campground, as it will incorporate many activities in the back half of the park! 

• Hike the Mount Healy Overlook to start the day!
• After finishing the hike, make the quick hike to Horseshoe Lake.
• Attend one of the sled dog demonstrations, taking the bus one or both ways, depending on how much time you have and how early you want to get to the campsite.
• Pick up your campsite permit at Riley Creek Mercantile and then head out to the Teklanika River Campground.
• Drive out to the Teklanika River Campground and enjoy the rest of the night there!
• Using your Tek Pass, take the transit bus to mile 43 and spend a couple hours exploring the riverbed and also the road closure area.
• Head back to the Teklanika River Campground and enjoy a relaxing rest of the day there!
• Do an off trail hike! Since you will not be able to get on a Discovery Hike from the Teklanika River Campground, you will need to take the transit bus and have it drop you off in a spot that looked good to hike at the day before.
• Make the drive from the Teklanika River Campground back to the first 15 miles of the park. 
• Hike the Savage Alpine trail and Savage River trail!

Denali National Park is technically open year-round, but as you may expect with the park being in Alaska, the park gets a lot of snow (55 inches of snow fell within a 7 day period this past December!) and most of the park is inaccessible for the majority of the year. So with that said, for a snow free experience, we’d suggest visiting between mid May and mid September, which is when the 43 open miles of the park road is accessible and the buses will be operating (these exact dates may vary year to year, check the park website for up to date information). By visiting during this timeframe, you’ll be able to experience mostly snow free trails (there may be some lingering snow), go as deep into the park as currently allowed, camp within the park, and take advantage of park amenities, like the visitor center. As for the weather in the summer, temperatures can range from the 30s at night and early in the mornings to the 60s-70s during the hottest part of the day. However, one thing to be aware of is that June-August is the rainy season at Denali National Park, so make sure to be prepared for some rain and even the off chance of some snow.  Another thing to know is that fall in Alaska starts at the end of August, so if you visit towards the beginning of September, you’ll have a good chance of seeing some fall foliage in the park, which looks stunning! We visited around June 17-20, 2022 and had one very sunny day, a couple partly sunny days, and a couple cloudy days with the occasional quick rain storms. We encountered very little snow on trails and the crowds also weren’t that bad either!

How to get to Denali National Park

The two most popular airports in Alaska are the Ted Stevens Airport (ANC) in Anchorage and Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) in Fairbanks. Both of these airports are good options to fly into when visiting Denali National Park, with the best choice depending on what else you plan to do during your trip.

Whether you fly or drive to Alaska, there is a good chance you will also have to drive to Denali National Park, as it’s a bit of a trek from both major airports. Denali National Park is a little over 4 hours drive north of Anchorage (239 miles) via the Parks Highway (AK-3) and a 2 hour 10 minute drive (123 miles) south from Fairbanks via the Parks Highway (AK-3). However, summer is construction season in Alaska, so we’d advise planning for additional time than the hours listed. Although Fairbanks is the closer starting point for visiting Denali National Park, Anchorage is closer to the majority of the drive-able destinations in Alaska. If you plan to do Denali first, we’d suggest starting from Fairbanks and then leaving from Anchorage.

Planning to drive to Alaska? We have created the Ultimate guide to driving the Alaska Highway , which covers all the logistics and must visit stops on this epic journey to Alaska.

Don’t want to drive to Denali National Park? Another popular way to get to Denali National Park in the summer is by train. The Denali Star Train operates from late May to early September and looks to be an amazing scenic ride, although it is a bit pricey! One perk of the train is that the train depot at Denali National Park is only a 5 minute walk from the visitor center, so you could get away without having a car and experience Denali by utilizing the park’s shuttles and buses.

As we mentioned above, you can only take your personal vehicle up to mile 15 in the park, unless you meet one of the exceptions we listed. Beyond that, you will need to take one of the buses. There are three bus options, including a free hiker shuttle to get to the trailheads within the first 15 miles, a narrated tour bus , and a non-narrated transit bus , which is solely to transport you. We will share more insight into the narrated vs. transit bus in the “things to do in Denali National Park (miles 15-43)” section, so you can decide what is best for you. While you could visit the park without a car, by taking the train in, for most visitors, having your car or renting a car will give you more flexibility. It is a long drive to Denali National Park and there is a lot to see and do along the way as well!

Where to Stay in Denali National Park

There are a variety of options of where to stay when visiting Denali National Park, ranging from nearby hotels and lodges, to camping inside the park.

There are 6 campgrounds inside Denali National Park, but only 5 are currently accessible. Minus the Riley Creek Campground, which is open year round (and free in the winter!), all of the campgrounds are only open in the summer.  For all campgrounds, you will need to make reservations in advance on reservedenali.com . However, even though you reserve a site in advance, your exact site will be chosen when you arrive at the campground. Another thing to note is that none of the campgrounds offer water or electric hookups for RVs, but they do have a dump station at the Riley Creek Campground, as well as laundry and shower facilities. Something else good to know, that we didn’t know, is that you will check in for your campsite for any of the campgrounds at either the Riley Mercantile or the Backcountry Center . We stayed in the Teklanika River Campground, which is past the mile 15 checkpoint, and assumed you would check in for the campsite at the checkpoint, but that is not the case and they will send you all 15 miles back to the beginning of the park to check in…don’t ask us how we know this! 😜

Riley Creek Campground

The Riley Creek Campground is the largest campground in the park and most accessible, as it’s located just minutes inside the park. It is also close to many conveniences and amenities, including the visitor center, businesses outside the park, and the Riley Creek Mercantile (which is just steps away!) which features a general store, camping supplies, food, shower house, laundry facilities, and an RV dump and water fill station.  Most of the sites are open for tents and RVs. One of the loops is for walk-in tent campers only on a first come, first served basis and cannot be reserved ahead of time. But for the rest of the sites, make sure to reserve ahead!

Savage River Campground

The Savage River Campground is located at Mile 14 and has 32 sites that will accommodate both RVs and tents.  Since it is located before the 15 mile check station, private vehicles can be driven to and from the campground freely. If you don’t have a vehicle or you want to leave your vehicle at the campground, there is a free bus called the Savage River Shuttle that will take you between the campground and park entrance.  A big perk of this campground is that on a clear day Denali can be seen a short walk from the campground. Only this campground and the Wonder Lake campground (closed until further notice) offer that!

Sanctuary River Campground

The Sanctuary River Campground is a very small campground with only 7 tent sites. It is located at Mile 22 and can only be accessed by the park bus (no cars are allowed to drive here, unlike Teklanika River).  There is no electricity or water so you must bring a method to purify your water. The nearby Sanctuary River runs close to the campground and it runs clear for most of the year. 

Teklanika River Campground

We stayed at the Teklanika River Campground (nicknamed Tek) at mile 29.1 and it was a unique and fun experience! There are 2 loops in the campground and all sites can accommodate RVs (up to 40 feet) and tents. The sites are spaced out a good amount and many offer lots of shade, while others don’t have as much tree cover, which is good for someone who relies on solar power, like us! There is potable water for filling water jugs and very nice pit toilets, but no other facilities.  Although the campground is located at mile 29.1, you are allowed to drive your personal vehicle to this campground, however once at the campground (which requires a 3 night minimum), your vehicle cannot leave until you check out and you can only explore by bus. You do get a special pass called a Tek Pass, which allows you to ride the bus multiple times for one fee!

To learn more, check out our guide to camping at the Teklanika River Campground (coming soon!) , which includes more information on the rules, how to get around from the park using a Tek Pass, and things to do while staying there!

Igloo Creek Campground

The Igloo Creek Campground is a very small campground similar to the Sanctuary River Campground. The campground has 7 tent only sites, a pit toilet, and no potable water. Water can be obtained from Igloo Creek and runs clear, but do bring a way to filter it.  It is located at mile 35 and is accessed only by park bus, no private vehicles allowed.

Waugaman Village RV Park Waugaman Village RV Park is located just a few miles away from the park entrance. We didn’t stay here, but the Google reviews are pretty good. They don’t have a website so you must contact them by phone in order to reserve a site.  Cantwell RV Park We stayed here for one night before we went into the park because we needed to hook up to charge our batteries and we can recommend this place. It is a standard RV park that is basically a parking lot, but it has hot showers and laundry. It is about 30 minutes south of the park entrance, but is a bit cheaper than the options right by the park and was worth the extra drive.

Along the Parks Highway (Route 3) there are many pull offs where you can sleep overnight. We stayed here and here (this is a neat spot, but very loud from the noise from the bridge) during our time in the area. While some pullouts do say “no overnight parking or camping,” these two did not and we usually had a neighbor sleeping there with us. There are several spots south of the park about 45 minutes that are much more serene and beautiful. We found iOverlander to be the best website to find free camping in Alaska and Canada.  FYI: You cannot sleep overnight in national park parking lots.

Curious how we find free campsites? Check out our detailed guide to free camping to learn which tools we use, rules to follow, and other tips! 

Aurora Denali Lodge Denali Tri-Valley Cabins

Denali Park, AK

Tonglen Lake Lodge Denali Hostel & Cabins

Cantwell, AK

Backwoods Lodge

The Taiga 2 – Studio Apartment (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) The Firewood Cabin at Alpenglow Ridge (2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom)

The Copper Cabin – studio (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) Cabin close to Denali Park (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)

What to bring with you to Denali National Park

Hiking gear

If you’re doing any hiking, make sure to bring the appropriate hiking gear with you (see what all we take here !). We also always recommend having the 10 essentials on you!  One key hiking item to bring are good hiking shoes, as some trails are a bit rockier. Kathryn rocks Lowa Women’s Renegade GTX on the trails and she LOVES them! Adam wears the ALTRA Lone Peak 6 Trail Running Shoe , which is a trail running shoe, so they are less bulky than boots, but still great for the trail. 

Trekking poles

Trekking poles can really be a big help, especially on off trail hiking. We have the Black Diamond Equipment Distance Z poles and highly recommend them!

Weather in Alaska can be extremely unpredictable. One minute it feels like a cold, windy winter day and the next the clouds part, the sun is beaming, and it feels like summer. Carrying some layers with you helps you be prepared for a day in Alaska. 

Rain jacket and rain pants

Similar to above, it can rain or snow any day of the year so having rain gear is recommended. Kathryn wears the Patagonia Torrentshell jacket and Adam wears a Columbia rain jacket .  Rain pants or waterproof pants are another highly recommended item that we did not have, but will hopefully have in the future for Alaska trips. The reason being that many trails in Alaska, including off trail in Denali, require you to go through brush, which can often be wet and soak your pants.

Denali National Park and Alaska are home to a variety of wildlife, including bears. Specifically, both black bears and grizzly bears, with grizzlies being the more aggressive of the two. Although we didn’t see any bears in Denali National Park, you have a good chance of seeing one and carrying bear spray is highly recommended. We always had our bear spray strapped to our hip or chest when we were hiking on trails and even walking along the roadside trail with Kona. Not only is it important to have bear spray on you, but you need to have it readily available and know how to use it. We’d recommend watching this video that explains how to use bear spray, if you aren’t familiar. 

Bug Repellent 

If you haven’t heard, the common joke is that the state bird of Alaska is the mosquito. Inland Alaska is definitely where they can be the worst and Denali National Park was one of the few areas in Alaska where we noticed mosquitoes. Make sure to bring bug spray with DEET ! We also brought a Thermacell for camping and we think it helped some.

Sun Protection

You’ll often be hiking above the treeline, which therefore means having zero to no shade, and even on cloudy days in the park you’ll want to have sun protection. Sunscreen and a hat will be very helpful! 

The vastness of Denali National Park is truly remarkable. You’ll be able to see very long distances, so carrying binoculars is a great way to get a closer look! We have the Bushnell H20 Roof Prism binoculars and we love them! They came in real handy when we spotted some caribou at the park road closure. 

Pin this list of things to do in Denali National Park to help plan your trip!

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What to Do at Denali

Top experiences.

Denali attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year thanks to its spectacular wildlife. Try to spot the "Big Five" : grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep.

Mount McKinley , the continent's highest peak, draws climbers from all over the world, but you don't have to climb the mountain to experience it. Although mountaineering is a popular activity, consider "flightseeing," or simply taking in the view from a number of scenic overlooks.

In the winter, you can explore Denali by snowshoe, cross-country skis, or on dog sleds. Visit the National Park Service's dog kennel , where rangers continue the tradition of using dog patrols, first started in the 1920s. One concessionairy— Denali Dog Sled Expeditions —is permitted to operate mushing trips into the park for those visitors without a dog team of their own.

The Murie Science and Learning Center is a great stop for families with children. Peruse the exhibits, take classes, and attend field seminars, youth camps, or speaker events. On display is a fossilized footprint of a three-toed Cretaceous Theropod dinosaur, discovered in the park in 2005.

Scenic Drive

The park's main road stretches 91 miles into the interior and takes a full 13 hours to explore round-trip. Private vehicles can drive on it for 15 miles to the Savage River Check Station. There visitors pick up the shuttle bus and enjoy a hop-on-hop-off ride through the wintry expanse of the tundra. Take in scenic glacier flows, spruce forests, roaming wildlife, and Mount McKinley looming 70 miles away.

Although Denali is primarily wilderness, visitors can access trails of all levels of difficulty. Those looking for a leisurely route should try the Horseshoe Lake Trail . Wrapping 1.5 miles through aspen and spruce forests to Horseshoe Lake, this hike takes about 90 minutes to complete. Highlights include inspiring views of Horseshoe Lake and the Nenana River as well as possible wildlife sightings.

Those looking for more of a challenge should veer off Taiga Trail to access the Mount Healy Overlook Trail . This strenuous hike climbs 1,700 feet, taking hikers up very steep sections that at points are at a 25 percent grade. Those who endeavor to complete this three-to-four-hour trek—about 2.2 miles one way—are rewarded with dramatic overlooks of the park entrance, the Nenana River Valley, and alpine ridges. Mount McKinley is visible on a clear day more than 80 miles to the southwest.

Flora/Fauna

Vegetation in Denali consists of taiga and tundra. The park's taiga features coniferous forests, primarily white and black spruce trees, with some birch shrubs. The tundra is blanketed with delicate lichens, berries, wildflowers, and woody plants, bringing beautiful color to the Alaskan landscape, particularly in August. More than 1,500 species of plants, mostly mosses and lichens, thrive in Alaska . Denali's vegetation is the foundation of the park's ecosystem.

A wide variety of animals inhabit Denali's taiga and tundra. Along with the "Big Five" one can spot foxes, martens, lynx, and beavers. The 167 species of birds that frequent the park include gyrfalcons, ptarmigans, black-capped and boreal chickadees, and redpolls.

Animal life and activity are dictated by the seasons. Although animals have adapted to the subarctic temperatures, during the long, cold months of winter Denali is quiet. Mammals are in hibernation, and birds have migrated to warmer locations. In the spring, Denali awakens to the return of 80 percent of the bird species. Hibernating mammals emerge from their long naps. The summer becomes a wildlife showcase, with animals raising their young and engaging in busy preparations for the return of cold weather.

The Stony Hill area rises and falls through an impressive landscape of hills, creeks, and canyons. Stony Hill Overlook serves up scenic views of Mount McKinley (weather permitting), 36 miles away, as well as views of up to 2,000 caribou during migration periods. Stony Creek weaves its way through deep multicolored rock canyons, opening up to an expansive view of Stony Creek Valley . Those hankering for great Mount McKinley photos should keep in mind that it is most visible in the mornings; clouds often pile up during the day.

Smart Traveler Strategies

Fifteen miles into the park along Denali Park Road is the Savage River Check Station. Beyond this point, private vehicles are prohibited. The park offers various bus options.

The shuttle buses provide informal access to the park. The hop-on-hop-off system gives visitors access to many entrance trails. For rides on buses departing from the Wilderness Access Center it is best to reserve in advance.

The Camper Bus service transports visitors directly to campgrounds and backcountry areas. Access is only available with a campsite reservation or backpacking permit.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

Bus Tours are a more formal (and expensive) way to explore the park. Choose from three interpretive and narrated tours: the Tundra Wilderness Tour, the Denali Natural History Tour , or the Kantishna Experience .

Confused by which option may be best for your family? Visit the park's website and click on the "Which bus shall I take?" link for a decision checklist.

Be sure to review wildlife and bear safety tips before your departure. Both grizzly and black bears reside in Denali. While hiking, make noise to notify bears of your presence. Always be alert, store food in closed containers, and never run from a bear. Keep a safe distance. The National Park Service recommends you stay at least 300 yards away from bears.

Wildlife safety is important, but it doesn't mean you must hide from the animals. The best time to see wildlife in Denali is early morning or late afternoon.

Not sure what to do, where to go, or how to get around? Download the park's free visitor guide, Alpenglow . Here you can read about which bus to take, find shuttle schedules, check out campground fees, and decide how to plan your visit.

Excursions Outside the Park

Abutting the national park is 325,240-acre Denali State Park, which includes similar terrain and animals and has four developed campgrounds with more than 120 campsites and two year-round cabins (reservations required).

Related Topics

• NATIONAL PARKS

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Last updated: February 24, 2020

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PO Box 9 Denali Park, AK 99755

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