Home to North America’s Tallest Mountain, Taller Than Everest

Denali National Park and Preserve: A Land of Untamed Beauty

Denali National Park and Preserve is one of the most unique national parks in the country, offering a landscape that feels truly wild. Located deep within the heart of the Alaskan interior, this park is home to Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, which stands as the tallest peak in North America. The mountain measures an impressive 18,000 feet from base to summit, surpassing even Mount Everest’s vertical rise of 17,000 feet.

The park stretches across six million acres of mountains, tundra, and boreal forests, making it one of the largest protected areas in the United States. Visitors can witness breathtaking sunrise views of Denali from Sable Pass on Mile 39 along Denali Park Road. Taking a scenic bus ride aboard a park shuttle offers a chance to see some of the country’s largest mammals, such as grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and caribou, all in their natural environment.

One of the highlights of Denali is the free ranger-led dog sled demonstration, where visitors can experience the traditional way of travel through the wilderness. Additionally, the park offers stunning views of the night sky, with the Milky Way visible around the Savage River area or along the Teklanika River.

Know Before You Go

Before planning a trip to Denali National Park and Preserve, it’s essential to understand the park’s rules and regulations. The entrance fee for the park is $15 per person for a seven-day pass, with an annual pass priced at $45. Free admission may be available for those with certain statuses. Cash is not accepted, so visitors should come prepared with other payment methods.

The park is open year-round, but most lodges, facilities, and shuttles operate seasonally from late May through mid-September. During other times, services are limited, and conditions can be harsh. It’s important to check the park’s website for the latest information, including road closures.

In the summer, private cars are not allowed past Mile 15 (the Savage River checkpoint) on Denali Park Road. The park is currently closed at Mile 43 due to a landslide and is scheduled to reopen in 2027. In the winter, the park road is only open till Mile 3 (at the visitor center). From roughly May through September, the park runs several types of buses, ranging from narrated adventures to purely transit-focused shuttles.

Best Time to Visit

According to Crystal Jones, a senior adventure tour leader at Intrepid Travel, the best time to visit Denali depends on the experience you’re hoping to have. June through August is peak tourist season, with warm weather, full access to park services, and the best opportunities for wildlife viewing. Long daylight hours make it perfect for exploring, sightseeing, and nature photography.

May and September are considered shoulder seasons, with fewer crowds, beautiful lighting, and early fall colors, though some services may be limited. From October through April, Denali turns into a snowy wilderness, ideal for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and chasing northern lights. However, access during this time is limited, and the park road is only open at the entrance. Winter conditions demand careful preparation.

How to Get There

For travelers heading to the park, Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) is the closest major gateway, about a two-hour drive from the park entrance. Anchorage’s Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is another popular entry point, though it’s about five hours away by car. Both cities, Fairbanks and Anchorage, are connected to Denali via the George Parks Highway, which leads directly to the park’s entrance. If you don’t want to drive, you can take the Denali Star Train to the park from May through September.

Best Things to Do

Spotting wildlife is one of the most exciting activities in Denali National Park. The park has some of the best roadside wildlife viewing in North America, with frequent sightings of large mammals. Shuttle buses often pause to allow passengers to observe animals without disturbing them. Sable Pass at Mile 39 is a top spot for grizzly bears, caribou, and Dall sheep.

Attending free ranger-led programs is another highlight. Rangers host guided walks, educational talks, and demonstrations featuring the park’s working sled dog kennels. Most of these programs don’t require reservations and offer deep insight into the park that you wouldn’t be able to get on your own.

Exploring the backcountry is a must for those seeking an off-trail adventure. Free backcountry permits are required if you want to camp and are available at ranger stations. However, if you decide to head off into the backcountry, be prepared to be self-sufficient, bear aware, and hike in a group whenever possible.

Seeing Denali from the air is a great way to take in unforgettable views of Mount McKinley, massive glaciers, and remote valleys unreachable by road. Scenic flights with outfitters like Fly Denali and K2 Aviation offer options that include glacier landings for a more immersive experience.

Exploring the night sky is another unforgettable experience. With minimal light pollution, the park has spectacular night skies, from Milky Way showings in the summer to Northern Lights displays in winter.

Best Hikes

There aren’t many marked trails inside the park, and the few that exist are short and near the park entrance. But you don’t have to stick to them. Unlike most parks, you can explore off-trail for a real backcountry adventure.

Horseshoe Lake Trail
This gentle two-mile loop has forest views, scenic overlooks, and the chance to spot beavers or moose near the water. It is ideal for families and first-time visitors.

Mount Healy Overlook Trail
This is a strenuous five-mile hike but you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the park entrance area and distant peaks of the Alaska Range. It is best for experienced hikers who are looking to work up a sweat and see an unforgettable view.

Savage River Loop Trail
The Savage River Loop Trail is a relatively easy 1.7-mile hike along the Savage River with dramatic mountain scenery all around. This route gives you a taste of the interior without going too deep into the park.

Triple Lakes Trail
This is the longest trail in Denali National Park, and takes hikers through forest, wetlands, alpine terrain, and three lakes. The trail can take about four to five hours to complete, but backpackers can stay overnight with a permit.

Best Places To Stay

There are no NPS–operated lodgings inside Denali National Park other than campgrounds. However, privately operated lodges exist within the park, and a variety of hotels and cabins are seasonally open just outside the park entrance.

Denali Park Village
Located eight miles from the closest park entrance, Denali Park Village is open from May to September and overlooks the Nenana River. The Village is a quiet alternative to the busier accommodations near the park entrance. There is a restaurant on-site as well as tours like guided hikes, wildlife, and river trips.

Crow’s Nest Alaskan Log Cabins
About a mile from the nearest park entrance, Crow’s Nest Alaskan Log Cabins is open from late May through early September. The hand-crafted log cabins have private bathrooms, while on-site amenities include a restaurant with mountain views, a hot tub and sauna (by reservation), and complimentary shuttle service to the park entrance and train depot.

Kantishna Roadhouse
Deep inside the park, Kantishna Roadhouse is a remote, privately owned, historic lodge where the mountains and wildlife are your closest neighbors. Open June through September and accessible only by small planes, it’s the perfect place to unplug completely. Cozy cabins, hearty meals, and guided hikes make it an unforgettable wilderness experience, especially if you’re chasing solitude.

Riley Creek Campground
If camping is more your style, Riley Creek Campground is an easy, no-fuss option just a stone’s throw from the park entrance. Open all year, it has tents and RV spots with picnic tables, fire pits, and restrooms. The location is ideal for shuttle access into the park. The other five seasonal campgrounds are located further down the park road and are accessible via the shuttle service (private cars are not allowed). Reservations are required and tend to sell out months in advance.

Denali Lakeview Inn
A year-round, family-owned lakeside inn on Otto Lake in Healy, Alaska, Denali Lakeview Inn features private bathrooms and private decks with lake and mountain views. Rates include a continental breakfast delivered to the room.

Places to Eat

Most dining options around Denali National Park operate seasonally from May through September. At Denali Park Village Dining Room, you can refuel with hearty Alaskan fare like fresh fish, rich stews, and comfort-food classics. Consider attending an Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre event, where a Gold Rush-era story comes to life.

49th State Brewing Company in Healy is a lively favorite for local craft beer and pub-style dishes like its halibut tacos and Alaskan-raised yak burgers. Prospector’s Pizzeria & Alehouse is Jones’s favorite options in the area. “It has great local craft beer and Alaskan specials like Elk meatballs and fresh halibut, along with really good pizzas or burgers, especially after a long day in the park,” she adds.

The Black Bear is a great option for brunch or dinner, and has a great selection of house-baked breads and coffee.