Denali National Park
Denali National Park spans over six million acres of Alaskan wilderness, and getting here takes real effort. You’re flying to Alaska, driving several hours from Anchorage or Fairbanks, and then navigating a park where a single road, just 92 miles long, is the only way in. But that remoteness is the whole point. Crowd levels stay remarkably low for a park of this stature, and the payoff is access to some of the most extraordinary wilderness in North America.
We spent six days here in July, and those days still rank among our most memorable in any national park. We rode the park bus the full length of Denali Park Road, all the way out to Kantishna, before the 2021 road closure cut that off. We spotted all of Alaska’s Big Five, hiked trails at the front of the park and deep in the backcountry, and took a flightseeing tour that put us face to face with Denali from the air.
Three of those six days were perfectly clear. The other three, the mountain was completely hidden behind clouds. That’s Denali. You build in extra days and you hope for the best, and when it clears, there is nothing else like it.
At 20,310 feet, Denali is the tallest peak in North America, and its presence dominates everything about this park. Spotting it from the Savage Alpine Trail, from the viewing area at Eielson, or from the shores of Wonder Lake are three very different experiences, and all of them are worth chasing.
Start Here: Planning Your Trip to Denali National Park
- Want an overview of what to do? → Best Things to Do in Denali National Park
- Ready to hit the trails? → Best Hikes in Denali National Park
- Visiting during the road closure? → What to Do in Denali While the Park Road is Closed
- Combining Denali with other national parks? → US National Parks Guide
Denali National Park Stats
Founded: February 26, 1917
Annual Visitors: 540,000 in 2025
Size: 6,045,000 acres
Location: Alaska
Notable Fact: Denali has the greatest vertical relief of any mountain on Earth — 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) from base to summit.
Overview of Denali National Park
Denali is a fundamentally different kind of national park, and understanding how it works before you arrive makes a big difference in how you plan your time.
The park has just one road: Denali Park Road, stretching 92 miles from the entrance to Kantishna at the far end of the park. Everything, the wildlife, the best views of Denali, the backcountry trailheads, the lodges, is organized along this single corridor. There are no loops, no alternate routes, no shortcuts. You go in and come back out the same way.
The front country covers roughly the first 15 miles of the road and is the only section accessible by private vehicle. This is where you’ll find the Visitor Center, Riley Creek Campground, and several hiking trails, including the Horseshoe Lake Trail and the Triple Lakes Trail. The Savage River area, at the end of the private vehicle section, is where you’ll find the Savage Alpine Trail, one of the best hikes in the park and one of the few places in the front country with a realistic view of Denali on a clear day.
Beyond mile 15, private vehicles are not permitted. To go farther into the park, you need to be on a park bus, either a narrated tour bus or a transit bus, or on a bicycle. This is not a limitation so much as a deliberate design: the restricted access keeps crowds low and gives wildlife room to roam freely along the road corridor. The farther you go, the better the experience.
Eielson Visitor Center at mile 66 is widely considered the best viewpoint in the park. On a clear day, the views of Denali from here are extraordinary. Wonder Lake, at mile 85, puts you closer to Denali than anywhere else accessible by road, and it’s one of the most photographed spots in the park. Kantishna, at mile 92, is a small cluster of backcountry lodges at the very end of the road.
Denali Park Road
Denali Park Road is the only road that leads into the park. Stretching 92 miles, this road leads to stunning viewpoints, scenic lakes, and numerous hiking trails and campsites.
For most of its length, Denali Park Road is only open to the transit and tour buses that are run by the National Park Service or the backcountry lodges. Private cars are only permitted to drive to mile 15, unless you have a special permit.
The farther down Denali Park Road you go, the better the experience. Not only do the views of Denali get better, but you also have the chance to spot all of Alaska’s Big 5, go on some of the best hikes in the park, and journey deeper into the heart of this park.
We have several detailed guides on Denali Park Road, which you can see below. We visited Denali one month before the road closed at mile 42, so we know what it is like to travel the full length of the road, including amazing Eielson and what it is like to spend a night or two in Kantishna.
Denali Park Road: Things to Do from Mile 0 to 92 & Is It Worth It?
Denali Park Road is the only road into Denali National Park, 92 miles of gravel stretching from the park entrance west through Polychrome Pass, past Eielson Visitor Center, and all the way to Kantishna. Along the way, you’ll find some of the best wildlife viewing, hiking, and mountain views in any national park in the […]
What to Do in Denali while Denali Park Road is Closed (& Is It Worth It?)
Only one road leads into Denali (Denali Park Road) and currently it is closed at mile 43, which is about the halfway point. This road closure cuts off access into the backcountry of the park, which is unfortunate, since some of Denali’s best experiences lie beyond this road closure. However, even with the road closure, […]
5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Eielson Visitor Center on Denali Park Road
Eielson, which is located at mile 66 on Denali Park Road, is one of the most spectacular places to visit in Denali National Park & Preserve and our single favorite experience in the park. On a clear day, the views of Denali are unbeatable. The drive to get here is gorgeous, there are several short […]
Top Experiences in Denali
Looking for highlights? These are the must-see experiences in Denali National Park:
- Ride the park bus down Denali Park Road and try to spot Alaska’s Big Five — grizzly bear, Dall sheep, caribou, moose, and wolf
- Hike the Savage Alpine Trail for sweeping views of the park and one of the best chances to see Denali without taking a park bus
- Visit Eielson Visitor Center at mile 66 for the closest and most dramatic views of Denali on a clear day
- Hike the Mount Healy Overlook for 360° views of the front country of the park
- Take a flightseeing tour to see Denali up close — and consider adding a glacier landing
- Visit Wonder Lake at mile 85, one of the best photography spots in the park and as close to Denali as the road gets
- Attend a sled dog demonstration at the park kennels, where working dogs have patrolled Denali for over 100 years
- Venture into Kantishna at the end of the road for the most immersive, remote experience in the park
16 Amazing Things to Do in Denali National Park
Ride the park shuttle or cycle to end of Denali Park Road, hike one of many trails throughout the park, see Alaska’s Big Five, and take a flightseeing tour. Here are the best things to do in Denali National Park.
Did You Know?
At 20,310 feet (6,190 meters), Denali is the tallest mountain in North America. It’s vertical relief, which is the visible difference from base to peak, is 18,000 feet (5,500 meters), the highest of any mountain in the world.
The word “Denali” means “The High One” in the native Athabaskan language. In 1897, the mountain was named Mount McKinley by local prospector William A. Dickey, when William McKinley was elected president. This was the official name of the mountain until 2015, when it was renamed to Denali.
Hiking in Denali National Park
Denali rewards hikers at every level, from short, easy walks near the park entrance to remote backcountry routes deep in the wilderness. What makes hiking here unlike almost any other national park is that off-trail hiking is permitted throughout the park, meaning the wilderness is truly open to those willing to explore it.
The front section of the park, accessible by car, has a solid lineup of maintained trails ranging from the easy Horseshoe Lake loop to the more challenging Savage Alpine Trail, which offers some of the best views of Denali without requiring a park bus.
Farther down Denali Park Road, once it fully reopens, trails at Eielson and Wonder Lake put you in the heart of the park with Denali looming in front of you.
Best Hikes in Denali (From the Entrance to Eielson and Beyond)
For full details, read our complete guide to the Best Hikes in Denali National Park.
Best Way to Hike the Savage Alpine Trail in Denali
We’ve hiked most of the developed trails in Denali National Park, from the easy stroll around Horseshoe Lake near the entrance to the backcountry trails in Eielson and Kantishna. If we had to pick one trail that delivers the best payoff for the effort in the front country, the Savage Alpine Trail is at the […]
Triple Lakes Trail, Denali National Park: Is It Worth It?
The Triple Lakes Trail is a well-maintained, well-traveled trail along the eastern border of Denali National Park, just south of the park’s entrance. As you hike, you can walk right down to the shoreline of three separate lakes, watch for beavers at Lake 1 and moose at Lake 2, and enjoy occasional clearings with views […]
Mount Healy Overlook Trail: Step-By-Step Guide
The Mount Healy Overlook Trail is one of the most accessible hikes in Denali National Park: no bus required, no permit, and the trailhead is steps from the visitor center parking lot. From the overlook, you get sweeping 360° views of the park’s front country, the Parks Highway snaking through the valley below, and on […]
How to Hike the McKinley Bar Trail in Denali National Park
The McKinley Bar Trail is a great add-on to a Denali Park Road backcountry adventure. Hiking through a beautiful landscape of streams, marshes, and spruce trees makes this hike enjoyable even on a cloudy day. And on a clear day you will also be treated with specular views of Denali and the Alaskan Range. The […]
How to Hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail | Denali National Park
The Horseshoe Lake Trail is one of the best easy hikes in Denali National Park and one of our favorites in the park. Named for its distinctive oxbow shape, Horseshoe Lake sits just 1.2 miles from the park entrance, making it accessible to virtually every visitor regardless of fitness level or how much time you […]
Denali Flightseeing Tours
Denali Flightseeing Tour: Is It Worth It? (+ Which Tour to Choose)
On a Denali flightseeing tour, you get an up-close experience with this mighty mountain, and on some tours, you will even circle around Denali. Adding on a glacier landing is icing on the cake. In this guide, we cover the Denali flightseeing options, photos from the flightseeing tour that we took, and whether or not it is worth it.
When To Visit Denali National Park
The best time to visit Denali National Park is from late May through early September, when Denali Park Road is open and all services are running.
We visited in July and spent six days in the park. Three of those days, we had clear skies and breathtaking views of Denali. On the other three, the mountain was completely hidden behind the clouds. That’s just the nature of Denali, so plan on spending multiple days to improve your odds of seeing the mountain.
June is a great month to visit if you want fewer crowds and drier weather. The daylight is extraordinary, with up to 19 hours of sunlight around the summer solstice. July is the warmest month and the peak of the season, but it also brings the most rainfall. August remains warm and is still a wonderful time to go, with the added bonus of the first hints of fall color toward the end of the month. September offers dramatically fewer crowds and stunning autumn foliage, but the risk of an early road closure due to snowfall is real. The park road can close as early as mid-September.
- Winter (October–April): Denali Park Road is closed; extremely limited access.
- Spring (May–June): Long daylight hours, drier weather, and fewer crowds. A great time to visit if you want the park mostly to yourself.
- Summer (July–August): Peak season with full services and the warmest temperatures, but also the most rainfall.
- Fall (September): Quiet, beautiful fall colors, and a chance of early snow. The road could close early.
Denali National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in July and August.
15 Best US National Parks to Visit in July
Which are the best national parks to visit in July? In this guide, we list 15 great parks to visit in the USA. Go hiking in Mount Rainier and Glacier National Parks, go whale watching in the Channel Islands, and venture into Alaska for some amazing adventures. About this National Park Series This article is […]
15 Best US National Parks to Visit in August
Planning a trip to the US national parks in August and don’t know which ones to visit? August is a busy time to visit the national parks, but crowd levels aren’t quite at their peak (that typically happens in July for many parks). In this guide, we list some popular summertime parks to visit plus […]
How Many Days Should You Spend in Denali?
We recommend spending three days in Denali National Park, especially for those who want to do some hiking and travel along Denali Park Road. Three days makes it more likely you will see Denali, which is frequently hidden behind the clouds.
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.
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.
How to Get to Denali National Park
Most visitors fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), which has the most flight options and connections. From Anchorage, it is approximately a 4.5 to 5-hour drive north on the Parks Highway (AK-3) to the park entrance, a distance of about 240 miles.
Fairbanks is a closer option for those who prefer a shorter drive. The park entrance is roughly 125 miles south of Fairbanks, a drive of about two hours. Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) is smaller but serves several major carriers.
We flew into Anchorage and drove north through some gorgeous Alaskan scenery. The drive is scenic and easy, and you can stop at viewpoints along the way as you enter the Alaska Range.
The Alaska Railroad is another popular option. The Denali Star train runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks, with a stop at the Denali Depot right at the park entrance. This is a scenic and relaxed way to arrive, and the railcars offer views of the landscape that you simply cannot get from a car.
Where to Stay in Denali National Park
Accommodation options vary significantly depending on how deep into the park you want to go.
Near the Park Entrance: The town of Healy (8 miles north of the park entrance) and the Denali Village (just south of the entrance along the Parks Highway) offer the widest range of options, including lodges, hotels, and cabin rentals. This is where most visitors base themselves. Riley Creek Lodge, just inside the park entrance, is a convenient in-park option.
Campgrounds: The park has several campgrounds. Riley Creek Campground, near the entrance, is the only one accessible by private vehicle. Campgrounds deeper in the park (Savage River, Teklanika River, Wonder Lake) require travel by park bus.
Kantishna (End of the Road): A small cluster of backcountry lodges, including Camp Denali and the Kantishna Roadhouse, sits at the very end of Denali Park Road at mile 92. Staying here puts you deep in the heart of the park and gives you easy access to Wonder Lake and the remote trails in this area.
Alaska Road Trip
10 Days in Alaska: 3 Itineraries for Every Type of Traveler
In this Alaska Road Trip Itinerary, we lay out three different ways to plan a 10-day road trip through Alaska. Two of these itineraries include Denali National Park. The best time to do these itineraries is from June through early September, when Denali Park Road is open.
Places to Visit Near Denali
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Complete Guide to Brooks Falls Trail & Viewing Platforms | Katmai National Park
Brooks Falls is one of the best places in Katmai National Park to view brown bears. Every July, when the salmon make their annual run, this part of the Brooks River is packed with bears, making it one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in the US national parks. In this guide, learn how to […]
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Denali National Park Photos
US National Parks List
In our US National Parks List, get information on all of the US national parks, including interesting facts, the most and least visited national parks, and a FREE printable national parks checklist with map.
US National Parks List: All 63 Parks, Map & Free Printable Checklist
