Discover the best things to do in Denali National Park, from bus tours along Denali Park Road and a flightseeing tour above the Alaska Range to spotting Alaska’s Big Five, hiking the Savage Alpine Trail, and visiting the famous sled dog kennels.
Denali National Park is one of those places that redefines your sense of scale. The park covers more than six million acres of remote Alaskan wilderness, and at its center rises Denali, the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet. Catching a clear-day view of this peak is one of the most memorable experiences we’ve had in any of the 63 US national parks.
There is a lot to do here, from riding the park buses deep into the backcountry to hiking trails near the park entrance, spotting Alaska’s Big Five, and taking a flightseeing tour above the Alaska Range. We spent six days in Denali in July 2021, traveling the full length of Denali Park Road before the road closure went into effect. We’ve hiked many of the park’s trails and taken a flightseeing tour, and from those experiences we have a lot to share.
One thing worth knowing before you plan: only about 30% of visitors to Denali ever actually see the mountain. It is so large that it creates its own weather system and is frequently hidden behind clouds. If seeing Denali is important to you, and it should be, plan to spend at least three days in the park to give yourself a real chance.
In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Denali National Park and Preserve, with firsthand tips to help you plan your visit.
The Essentials
LOCATION | Alaska
DON’T MISS | Denali Park Road bus tour, flightseeing tour, Alaska’s Big Five, Savage Alpine Trail
BEST AREA FOR FIRST-TIMERS | Savage River Area (mile 15: accessible by car, great hiking, and your best chance to see Denali without a bus)
OUR FAVORITE VIEWS | Stony Hill Overlook (mile 62) and Thorofare Ridge Trail at Eielson (mile 66)
BEST EASY WALK | Horseshoe Lake Trail (2 miles, near the visitor center)
MINIMUM TIME | 3 days; Denali is frequently cloud-covered, so more days means a better chance of seeing the mountain
BEST TIME TO VISIT | June through early September
Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.
If You Only Do 5 Things in Denali National Park
We spent six days in Denali in July 2021, traveling the full length of Denali Park Road twice before the road closure went into effect. These are the five experiences we’d prioritize on any visit, written for what’s accessible in 2026.
- Ride a bus on Denali Park Road. The views of the Alaska Range are stunning, the wildlife sightings are incredible, and the deeper into the park you go, the more remote and extraordinary it feels. In 2026, buses run to mile 42. Take the Tundra Wilderness Tour if you want the full experience.
- Take a flightseeing tour. There is no better way to understand the sheer scale of Denali than from the air. We flew with K2 Aviation and, even without the glacier landing we’d originally planned, it was one of the highlights of our entire Alaska trip.
- Hike the Savage Alpine Trail. This is the best hike you can do in the front country of the park without riding a bus. At 4 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain, it’s a workout, but the views of the Savage River valley and, on a clear day, Denali itself make it worth every step. It’s also one of the few places accessible by car where you can actually see the mountain.
- Visit the sled dog kennels. This one surprises people, but don’t skip it. Sled dogs have patrolled Denali’s backcountry for over 100 years and the demonstrations run by park rangers are genuinely fascinating. It’s a completely different side of the park and a great option for a morning or late afternoon when you’re not on a bus or a trail.
- Hike the Mount Healy Overlook Trail. If you have the legs for it after the Savage Alpine Trail, the Mount Healy Overlook is the best viewpoint accessible from the front of the park. At 4.9 miles out and back, it’s a steep climb, but on a clear day you can see the peak of Denali from the top, a rare thing from this part of the park.
Planning a Trip for 2027 or Later? Don’t Miss These Two
If you have flexibility in your schedule, consider waiting until Denali Park Road reopens beyond mile 43. Two experiences in particular are worth planning a trip around.
Stony Hill Overlook (mile 62). This is one of our favorite viewpoints in any national park we’ve visited. On a clear day, Denali fills the sky in a way that’s genuinely hard to describe. We were lucky enough to be there on a stunning day in July 2021 and our photos from this overlook are among the best we’ve ever taken.
Thorofare Ridge Trail at Eielson (mile 66). Eielson is the crown jewel of Denali Park Road. The Thorofare Ridge Trail climbs above the visitor center to a ridgeline with unobstructed views of Denali and the Alaska Range. Hiking here was one of the single best experiences of our entire month in Alaska.
What Makes Denali National Park Special
Denali National Park and Preserve protects the Alaska Range and its highest peak, Denali, at 20,310 feet (6,190 meters). What most people don’t realize is that Denali’s vertical relief, the visible rise from base to summit, is approximately 18,000 feet, the greatest of any mountain in the world. That number puts it above even Everest in terms of sheer visual impact from the surrounding terrain.
At over six million acres, Denali is the third-largest US national park, behind Wrangell-St. Elias and Gates of the Arctic, both also in Alaska. The vast majority of the park is designated wilderness, meaning there are no roads, no campgrounds, and no visitor centers across most of its area, just mountains, tundra, glaciers, and rivers.
Only one road heads into the park. Denali Park Road stretches 92.5 miles from the visitor center westward through the heart of the Alaska Range, passing through Polychrome Pass, Eielson, Wonder Lake, and eventually reaching the small cluster of lodges at Kantishna. Visitors can drive the first 15 miles in a private vehicle; beyond that, travel is by park bus or bicycle only.
Below is a map of Denali National Park from the National Park Service. I highlighted the main areas in the park.
The yellow line is the portion of Denali Park Road that is accessible to private cars. The red line is the portion of Denali Park Road that is only accessible by the Denali buses. This map also shows the location of the road closure due to the landslide.
2026 Important Notice: Denali Park Road Closure
Denali Park Road has been closed beyond mile 43 since August 2021, when a landslide at Pretty Rocks made the road impassable. A bridge is under construction to detour around the landslide; the project could last until 2027 or later.
Here is what this means for visitors in 2026:
- Private vehicles can still drive to mile 15 (Savage River), same as always
- Transit buses run to mile 42 (East Fork)
- Narrated tour buses go to mile 27 (Natural History Tour, 5 hours) and mile 42 (Tundra Wilderness Tour, 5.5 hours)
- Eielson Visitor Center (mile 66), Stony Hill Overlook (mile 62), Wonder Lake (mile 85), and Kantishna (mile 92) are all beyond the closure and not accessible by bus
- Kantishna can be reached by helicopter; the Denali Backcountry Lodge is operating and accepts guests who fly in
- The Denali Park Road Lottery (which typically opens the full road to private vehicles for four days in September) is not being offered in 2026
- Throughout this guide, we note which experiences are affected by the closure
For current conditions and updates, check the National Park Service website.
Should You Wait Until 2027 to Visit Denali?
Yes, if your schedule allows it. Some of the best experiences in Denali lie beyond mile 43: Stony Hill Overlook, Eielson, Wonder Lake, and Kantishna. Visiting now means missing a significant portion of what makes Denali extraordinary.
We cover this question in detail, including what you’re missing and whether a 2026 visit is still worth it, in our guide to the Denali Park Road closure ↓
What to Do in Denali while Denali Park Road is Closed (& Is It Worth It?)
Best Things to Do in Denali National Park & Preserve
In no particular order, here are the best things to do in Denali National Park and Preserve. This is the full list of things to do in Denali, including those sights that lie beyond the Pretty Rocks road closure. For a list of things to do in Denali while the road is closed, read our post Things to Do while Denali Park Road is Closed.
#1 Denali Park Road
One of the best things to do in Denali National Park is to venture into the park on Denali Park Road.
Denali Park Road is 92.5 miles long. This road to leads to numerous hiking trails and campgrounds, scenic lakes, and the best viewpoints of Denali and the Alaska Range.
Visitors can drive along the first 15 miles of Denali Park Road. In this “front country” of Denali National Park, you can visit the visitor center, sled dog kennels, and take your pick from several great hikes.
Beyond mile 15, you either need to be on a bicycle or a park bus.
Denali Park Road near the road closure (Polychrome Pass)
This is the area of the road that is “slumping.” Denali Park Road was built over a rock glacier at this point. This glacier is melting, causing the road to slump. Road crews were adding gravel to this portion of the road on a daily basis, but as of August 2021, they could no longer keep up. The road is now closed at this point and a bridge will detour this section of the road.
Highlights of Denali Park Road
I know that sitting on a bus for 8 to 12 hours does not sound like fun.
We rode both the transit bus to Eielson and took the narrated bus out and back to Kantishna. Honestly, we weren’t looking forward to it, we were only doing it since it sounded like something you should do when you visit Denali National Park.
Well, this experience blew away our expectations. The views from the drive are incredible. Hiking around Eielson was one of our favorite things to do not only in Denali, but also on our one-month trip to Alaska. And wow, the views are incredible! And to visit Kantishna, which is at the end of Denali Park Road, feels wonderfully remote.
From our multiple bus trips up and down Denali Park Road, here are what we think are the top experiences (note, in 2026, nothing beyond mile 43 is accessible):
- Spot Alaska’s Big 5 (entire drive)
- Go hiking at Eielson (Mile 66)
- Stony Hill Overlook (Mile 62)
- Wonder Lake (Mile 85)
- Polychrome Pass & Overlook (Miles 44 to 46)
- Spend the night in Kantishna (Mile 92)
- Savage Alpine Trail (Mile 15)
- Go hiking in the front of Denali National Park (Mile 2)
Polychrome Overlook
Eielson, at mile 66 of Denali Park Road. This photo was taken from the Thorofare Ridge Trail.
Denali Park Buses
The National Park Service offers several day trips by bus on Denali Park Road.
There are two types of buses: transit buses and narrated tour buses.
Transit buses serve as hop-on hop-off buses. If you want to get off somewhere along Denali Park Road, go hiking or exploring, and get back on the bus later in the day to get back to the park entrance, this is the bus that you want.
The East Fork Transit Bus, which goes to mile 42, is the only transit bus that will be operating in 2026.
On a narrated bus, a trained naturalist drives the bus and points out animals, geologic features, ecosystems, etc. These buses are not hop-on hop-off. They have several stops they make along the drive, each lasting 10 to 30 minutes, but you cannot go off on your own, do a hike, and then later hop back on another narrated bus.
In 2026, according to the National Park Service website, two narrated buses will be operating:
Natural History Tour. This bus goes to Teklanika at mile 27. This tour focuses on the history and cultural background of Denali National Park. This bus tour takes 5 hours round trip.
Tundra Wilderness Tour (only goes to mile 42 in 2026). Usually, this bus goes to Stony Hill Overlook at mile 62 (one of the best viewpoints in Denali). In 2026, it will only go as far as mile 42. This bus tour takes 5.5 hours.
In prior years, and once the bridge is constructed, the Kantishna Experience bus goes to the end of the road at mile 92. It’s a long day (about 12 hours) but if you want to experience all of Denali Park Road, and you are planning your trip for 2026, this is the tour to take.
For more information about the transit and narrated bus tours, a detailed description of things to see and do along Denali Park Road, and lots of photos, read our guide to Denali Park Road ↓
Denali Park Road: Things to Do from Mile 0 to 92 & Is It Worth It?
Complete guide to Denali Park Road, with things to do, lots of photos, and how to pick the best bus tour.
Denali park buses at Eielson Visitor Center
Caribou
#2 Visit the Savage River Area
The Savage River Area of the park is located at mile 15 on Denali Park Road. This is as far as you can go in a private car.
In this area, there are several great hiking trails. On a clear day, you can get a pretty good view of Denali, but it requires hiking the Savage Alpine Trail.
Things to Do in the Savage River Area
Hike the Savage Alpine Trail. This hike is 4 miles long. It can be done either point-to-point or out-and-back. With 1,500 feet of total ascent, it is a challenging hike, but it’s your best way to get a view of Denali without riding a park bus or taking a flightseeing tour. It’s also one of our favorite hikes in the park. Get the full details in our guide to the Savage Alpine Trail.
Best Way to Hike the Savage Alpine Trail in Denali
Everything you need to know to hike the Savage Alpine Trail.
Savage Alpine Trail
Hike the Savage River Loop Trail. This easy, 2-mile trail makes a loop around the Savage River. It’s a very pretty hike but just know that you won’t be able to see Denali from this trail.
Savage River Loop
Hike the Mountain Vista Trail. This 0.6-mile loop is located at mile 13 of Denali Park Road. It’s an easy hike with views of the surrounding mountains.
HOW TO GET TO THE SAVAGE RIVER AREA: You can drive to the Savage River area. Parking is extremely limited so it’s best to get here before 10 am so you can get a parking space. You can also ride the free Savage River Shuttle from the visitor center.
#3 Go Hiking in Denali National Park
Denali has a surprisingly strong network of hiking trails, most of them concentrated near the front of the park and accessible without a bus. That means even visitors who aren’t riding the park buses have plenty of great options to choose from.
The trails range from easy lakeside walks to steep, rewarding climbs with views of Denali and the Alaska Range.
A few of our favorites from the front country: the Horseshoe Lake Trail (2 miles, easy) is a lovely warm-up hike near the visitor center, the Savage Alpine Trail (4 miles, strenuous) is the best hike you can do without a bus, and the Mount Healy Overlook Trail (4.9 miles, strenuous) delivers one of the best viewpoints accessible from the park entrance.
Horseshoe Lake Trail
Mount Healy Overlook
For those who make it to Eielson on the bus, the Thorofare Ridge Trail and Gorge Creek Trail offer some of the most spectacular hiking in the entire park, both with close-up views of Denali. (Note: Eielson is not accessible in 2026 due to the road closure.)
The view from the Thorofare Ridge Trail
Gorge Creek Trail
For the complete list of hikes with trail stats, maps, and photos, read our guide ↓
Best Hikes in Denali (From the Entrance to Eielson and Beyond)
#4 Backpacking and Off-Trail Hiking
Denali is unlike other national parks. In Denali, you are permitted to hike off-trail.
This can be done throughout the park. You can ride a transit shuttle bus, getting off at an area that looks appealing. Spend some time hiking in the wilderness, and then board another transit bus at the end of the day, to take you back to the park entrance.
If you really want to venture into the wilderness, you can also go backpacking. This requires that you get a permit. Learn more about off-trail hiking and backpacking on the National Park Service website.
#5 Visit Eielson
Eielson is located on mile 66 of Denali Park Road. Riding a transit or narrated bus to this point is one of the best things to do in Denali National Park. Eielson is closed in 2026 due to the road closure.
Why is Eielson so great?
For one thing, the views of Denali are unbeatable. From the Eielson Visitor Center, the views of Denali and the Alaska Range are some of the best in the park.
Eielson Visitor Center
For an even better view, hike the Thorofare Ridge Trail, which takes you up to a stunning viewpoint. On a clear day, it’s hard to beat this view of Denali.
View from the Thorofare Ridge Trail
And the ride to get to Eielson is awesome. We spotted all of Alaska’s Big 5 and had lots of great views of the Alaska Range and Denali on the drive.
Once Denali Park Road reopens beyond mile 42, this is one of top things to do in the park. In the meantime, consider saving your visit to Denali to 2026 or later, so that you can have this experience.
#6 Visit Wonder Lake
Wonder Lake sits at mile 85 on Denali Park Road. Along Denali Park Road, this is about as close as you can get to Denali. From the Wonder Lake Campground, you are only 26 miles away from Denali.
On a clear day, the views of Denali are spectacular. We weren’t so lucky on our visit, with overcast skies, but it is still a beautiful place to visit.
Wonder Lake on a cloudy day
Wonder Lake on a clear day. JacobLoyacano/shutterstock.com
In the Wonder Lake area, you can bike along Denali Park Road, hike the McKinley Bar Trail, and see Reflection Pond. If skies are clear and it isn’t windy, you can photograph Denali’s reflection in this pond.
Reflection Pond on a cloudy day
#7 Spend Some Time in Kantishna
Kantishna is a small cluster of lodges, campgrounds, and private properties, all located at the very end of Denali Park Road.
End of Denali Park Road
To get here, ride a transit or narrated park bus (about 6 to 7 hours one way), or fly into Kantishna Airport.
Spend the night at the Backcountry Lodge, Kantishna Roadhouse, Skyline Lodge, or the Wonder Lake Campground. We stayed at the Denali Backcountry Lodge. Using the free bikes provided by the lodge, we cycled out past Wonder Lake and hiked the McKinley Bar Trail.
In 2026, you can visit Kantishna by flying in by helicopter and staying three to four nights at the Denali Backcountry Lodge. Learn more in our post about things to do during the Denali road closure.
#8 Stony Hill Overlook
Note: Stony Hill Overlook is beyond the mile 43 road closure and is not accessible in 2026. Plan this for a future visit once the road reopens.
Stony Hill Overlook sits at mile 62 on Denali Park Road, just four miles before Eielson, and it is one of the most breathtaking viewpoints we have encountered in any US national park.
On a clear day, Denali dominates the entire skyline. It’s closer, bigger, and more imposing than almost anywhere else you can see it from the road. We were there on a gorgeous July day in 2021, just weeks before the road closed, and the photos we took from this overlook are among the best we’ve ever captured anywhere.
What makes Stony Hill special is the combination of elevation, open tundra, and unobstructed sightlines to the Alaska Range. There’s nothing between you and the mountain. Most visitors experience it as a stop on the Tundra Wilderness Tour or Kantishna Experience bus, which makes a brief stop here before continuing to Eielson.
Stony Hill Overlook
#9 Spot Alaska’s Big Five
Alaska’s Big Five are caribou, moose, Dall sheep, bear, and wolf.
The best way to see all Big Five is on a bus ride on Denali Park Road. Each of these animals live in different parts of the park. Moose are usually spotted near the park entrance. Caribou and Dall sheep are usually spotted on Denali Park Road past mile 30. Bear can be seen almost anywhere. And we saw a wolf at Eielson.
#10 Go White Water Rafting on the Nenana River
The Nenana River forms part of the eastern boundary of Denali National Park. Several river outfitters run half and full-day white water rafting trips during the summer months. Take your pick from easy, float trips to more adventurous rafting trips through the rapids.
Learn more here.
Whitewater rafting on the Nenana River
#11 Take a Flightseeing Tour
One of the best ways to see Denali is on a flightseeing tour. Many flightseeing trips circle around Denali and the Alaska Range and you also have the option to add on a glacier landing tour.
Denali Flightseeing Tour: Is It Worth It? (+ Which Tour to Choose)
How to pick the best flightseeing tour of Denali.
We took a flightseeing trip with K2 Aviation. Originally, we booked a flightseeing tour with a glacier landing, but the weather wasn’t clear enough for a glacier landing. Instead, we took a standard flightseeing tour, which was still a great experience. But from those that we talked to who have done it, a flightseeing tour + glacier landing combo sounds awesome!
Flightseeing Tours of Denali
#12 Visit the Sled Dog Kennels
Sled dogs have been used for 100 years to patrol Denali National Park. Once the park becomes snow covered, these sled dogs are used by park rangers to travel through and patrol the park.
Sled Dog Kennels
Visitors to the park can attend sled dog demonstrations at the kennels. These demonstrations are typically held June through August several times a day. The sled dogs are open to visitors from 9 am to 4:30 pm. You can get here by car, but parking is extremely limited. There is also a free park shuttle that leaves from the visitor center about 40 minutes before the scheduled sled dog demonstration.
Learn more and get updated hours on the National Park Service website.
#13 Go Camping
There are numerous campgrounds located throughout Denali National Park. These are located either near the park entrance or along Denali Park Road.
Campsite fees range from $20 to $40 per night. Reservations are recommended but not absolutely necessary. However, if you wait to the last minute, you might have limited options inside of Denali National Park. Most campgrounds are open from mid-May to mid-September.
Here is a list of campgrounds in Denali National Park:
- Riley Creek Campground: Near the front entrance of Denali National Park. Open all year for tent camping and RV’s.
- Savage River Campground: Mile 14. Open to RV’s and tent camping.
- Sanctuary River Campground: Mile 22. Tent only camping and accessible by park bus. This campground is first-come first-serve and only has 7 sites.
- Teklanika River Campground: Mile 29. Open to RV’s and tent camping. You can drive your vehicle here, but if you do so, you will use the park buses to get around and you will have a 3-night minimum stay.
- Igloo Creek Campground: Mile 35. Tent camping only with 7 sites.
- Wonder Lake Campground: Mile 85. This is as close as you can get to Denali from a campsite.
For more information about camping in Denali National Park, visit the National Park Service website.
#14 Climb Denali
For the ultimate experience, climb to the summit of Denali. To do this, a high level of physical fitness, prior mountaineering experience, and experience hiking and ice climbing on glacier are a necessity.
The average climbing trip takes 17 to 21 days and it is best to do this with an experienced guide.
Learn more on the National Park Service website.
#15 Viewpoints of Denali Outside of the National Park
Here’s something that surprises most people: some of the best views of Denali are not inside the national park at all.
From the front of the park, Denali is roughly 75 miles away and partially obscured. Along the Parks Highway between Talkeetna and the park entrance, you can actually get a cleaner, more open view of the mountain, and on a clear day, it is spectacular.
There are two roadside viewpoints worth stopping at:
Denali Viewpoint South is our favorite of the two. Pull into the parking lot and walk a short distance to the viewpoint. The sight line to Denali and the Alaska Range is wide open and the mountain looks enormous from here. If you are driving up from Anchorage and the skies are clear, do not drive past this one.
Denali Viewpoint South
Denali Viewpoint North. From here, you can see the Alaska Range right from the parking lot, no extra walking necessary. But the view isn’t quite as good as what you get from the south viewpoint, in my opinion.
Denali Viewpoint North
Both viewpoints are located on AK-3 and are easy additions to the drive between Talkeetna and the park entrance. If the skies have been uncooperative inside the park, these stops on your way out are worth the effort, because you might get the clear view of Denali here that eluded you all week.
#16 Denali Park Road Lottery
For four days in September, the entire length of Denali Park Road opens to private vehicles, with two conditions. #1, you must have a lottery ticket. And #2, you can only drive as far as the weather allows. During years of early snow or ice, you might not be able to travel past mile 15 (Savage River).
Lottery tickets go on sale in May. If you win the lottery, you will be charged $25 (this is in addition to the park entrance fee). Dates that the road lottery event vary by year but typically it takes place in mid-September.
IMPORTANT: The Denali Park Road Lottery is not being offered in 2026 because of the landslide at Pretty Rocks.
How Much Time Do You Need in Denali National Park?
There is a statistic that only 30% of people who visit Denali National Park, actually get to see Denali. This mountain is so large that it creates its own weather and it is frequently hidden behinds the clouds. In order to increase your chances to see Denali, plan on spending several days here.
We spent 6 days here in July. Three days we had clear skies and could see Denali. On the other three days, the mountain was completely hidden behind the clouds.
I recommend spending three days in Denali National Park, especially for those who want to do some hiking and travel along Denali Park Road.
With three days in Denali, spend one day on Denali Park Road, one day hiking the trails in the front of the park, and one day on a flightseeing tour.
With more time, you can hike more trails at the front of the park, go whitewater rafting, or spend a night or two in Kantishna or Wonder Lake.
If you only have a day or two, consider taking a transit or narrated bus as far as you can go (in 2026, this will be to mile 42) or hiking the trails in the Savage River area and near the park entrance.
Denali, seen from Eielson
3-Day Denali Itinerary
Here is a sample 3-day itinerary that starts and ends in Anchorage.
Day 1: Drive from Anchorage to Denali. On the drive, visit Talkeetna, have lunch, take a flightseeing tour (optional), and check into your hotel. If the skies are clear and you still have energy and daylight left, hike the Mount Healy Overlook Trail.
Day 2: Transit or narrated bus tour of Denali Park Road. Ideally, do this early in the morning. In 2026, since these are 5-hour tours, you will have the afternoon to visit the sled dog kennels, the visitor center, and/or go hiking.
Day 3: Go hiking in the Savage River area. In the evening, drive to Anchorage.
With More Time: Each day that you add on to your trip gives you a better chance to see Denali with clear skies. There are enough hikes to do in front of the park to keep you busy for several days, plus you have the option to go whitewater rafting. Once Denali Park Road reopens past mile 42, taking the park bus to Kantishna and spending one or two nights here is a great experience.
View from the McKinley Station Trail
Best Time to Visit Denali National Park
We visited Denali in early July 2021 and the timing was excellent. The weather was warm, the park was fully open, and we had three clear days out of six, enough to see Denali in all its glory, though the mountain was completely hidden on the other three. That 50/50 split is fairly typical and a good reminder that more days always means better odds.
The summer months are by far the best time to visit. From June through early September, Denali Park Road is open, the buses are running, the campgrounds and lodges are operating, and the days are extraordinarily long. In July, you have nearly 20 hours of daylight in this part of Alaska. Wildflowers bloom across the tundra from late June through July, adding color to the sweeping open landscapes along the road.
Early to mid-June can be cooler and wetter, but the park is less crowded and the snow is still fresh on the peaks. Late August and early September bring the first hints of fall color to the tundra, which is stunning, and the crowds begin to thin. Snow can start falling as early as mid-September, and once it accumulates enough, Denali Park Road closes for the year.
Winter visits are possible but limited. The park is open year-round, but most roads and facilities close from October through April. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are options for those who want a true off-season experience.
Quick seasonal summary:
- Spring (April–May): Roads still closed, limited facilities; good for early-season snowshoeing
- Summer (June–August): Best time to visit; all buses running, long daylight hours, wildflowers in July
- Early Fall (September): Fewer crowds, fall tundra color, cooler temps; snow possible late in the month
- Winter (October–March): Park open but most facilities closed; for experienced winter travelers only
How to Get to Denali National Park
Denali National Park is located in the interior of Alaska, roughly halfway between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Both cities have international airports and make natural starting and ending points for an Alaska road trip.
To visit Denali, we drove up from Anchorage, stopping at the cool little town of Talkeetna. This is a great place to stop for lunch and many flightseeing tours of Denali start in this town.
Denali National Park is one of the easiest parks to visit in Alaska, since you can drive right to it. Other parks, such as Katmai, Lake Clark, and Gates of the Arctic, all require either an airplane or a boat to enter the park.
Here are driving distances and times to Denali National Park from other destinations in Alaska:
- Anchorage: 240 miles, 4 hours
- Talkeetna: 155 miles, 2.5 hours
- Fairbanks: 125 miles, 2.25 hours
- Glenallen: 340 miles, 6 hours
- Tok: 325 miles, 5.5 hours
- Valdez: 460 miles, 8 hours
- Seward: 365 miles, 6.25 hours
By Train: The Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star train is a popular way to reach the park, running daily between Anchorage and Fairbanks with stops in Talkeetna and Denali. The Denali Star runs from mid-May through mid-September and offers both Adventure Class and GoldStar Dome service, with a dining car and baggage service available. The journey itself is scenic and well worth considering if you’d rather not drive, especially on the stretch between Talkeetna and the park, where views of Denali and the Alaska Range come into view on clear days. For schedules and booking, visit the Alaska Railroad website.
Where to Stay
Inside of Denali National Park, you can stay at one of several campgrounds (see our section on camping above) or at one of the lodges in Kantishna (Denali Backcountry Lodge, Skyline Lodge, and Kantishna Roadhouse).
Outside of Denali National Park, there are many hotels, cabins, and motels to choose from.
We stayed at the Denali Cabins but the Denali Tri-Valley Cabins, the Denali Park Hotel, and Grande Denali Lodge get good reviews.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Book early. Accommodation near Denali fills up quickly during the summer months, particularly in July, and your options become limited if you wait.
Important Planning Information
Entrance Fee: $15 per person, valid for 7 days. Those 15 years and younger are free. The America the Beautiful Pass is accepted and will cover up to four adults. There is no entrance booth, so purchase your entrance permit in advance and be prepared to show your receipt to park rangers should they ask to see it.
Hours of Operation: Open all year, although most roads and facilities will be closed from October until May.
Pets: Pets are permitted in Denali National Park with limited access to many areas. They must be on a leash at all times. Pets are not permitted on buses or the majority of the hiking trails.
Cellular Service: Cellular service is only available at the front of the park, near the visitor center. We did not have cellular service beyond mile 5 of Denali Park Road.
Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the National Park Service website.
Plan Your Trip to Denali National Park
Start with our Denali National Park Travel Guide, where you can find all of our guides on Denali in one place.
If hiking is your priority, don’t miss our guide to the Best Hikes in Denali National Park, where we cover the top trails with stats, photos, and firsthand tips.
If Denali is part of a bigger trip to Alaska, our 10 Days in Alaska guide covers three different itineraries depending on your travel style, and our Alaska Travel Guide is a good starting point for planning the full trip.
Denali is one of 63 US national parks. If you are working your way through the list, visit our guide to the US national parks for inspiration and planning resources.
If you have any questions about the best things to do in Denali National Park, let us know in the comment section below.
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