Parks / Denali National Park & Preserve
Denali National Park & Preserve
National Park & Preserve · AK
Denali is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelers along it see the relatively low-elevation taiga forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America's tallest peak, 20,310' Mount McKinley. Wild animals large and small roam un-fenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (2)
Denali Park Road Information
In summer, the Denali Park Road is open to Mile 15 (Savage River) for personal vehicles. Vehicle travel further into the park is limited to transit and tour buses.
Park Operations Altered Due to Pretty Rocks Landslide
Summer access to facilities and services in Denali remains altered due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide and the associated closure of the Park Road at Mile 43. Check here for more information on what to expect.
Entrance Fees
Denali charges an entrance fee year-round. Youth age 15 or younger are free. The America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series (Interagency Passes) are accepted. Be prepared to show your receipt or pass (digital or physical) if requested by park staff.
An annual pass covers the park entrance fee for the pass holder and up to three other adults. The pass holder must be present and must show the physical pass and a valid photo ID to park staff. Annual passes are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. For example, a pass purchased at any point in July 2025 will be valid through July 31, 2026.
Campgrounds (6)
Igloo Creek
The campground is at mile 35 on the Park Road. It offers 7 sites, making it the smallest in Denali (along with Sanctuary River Campground, which also has 7 sites). Igloo is tent-only—you will not find any RVs or other vehicles in this campground. It is accessible only by camper bus. The bus stop is a short walk from the campsites (less than 50 yards).
Details →Riley Creek
Riley Creek is a fairly wooded campground, with some screening between sites whenever possible. Most of the campground sites are open to either tent campers or vehicles / RVs. The proximity of Highway 3 means there is occasional traffic noise, but also means campers have all the conveniences and amenities of the park entrance area, and businesses outside the park, close at hand. Trails leading from the campground connect to the Denali Visitor Center, which is the central hub of trails in the entrance area.
Details →Sanctuary River
Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Sanctuary River is a heavily wooded campground, with screening between most sites. The immediate area is brushy, but nearby mountains offer chances to hike directly from the campground and gain elevation, with views of Mount McKinley to the south possible on clear days, after some strenuous up-hill hiking. Sanctuary is tent-only—you will not find any RVs or other vehicles in this campground. It is accessible only by camper bus.
Details →Savage River
Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Savage River campground is located at Mile 13 on the Denali Park Road. It sits in a spruce forest, with moderate screening between sites. On clear days, Mount McKinley can be seen from a short walk below the campground.
Details →Teklanika River
Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Though nearly all private vehicles must turn around at mile 15, Savage River, Tek campers are an exception to that rule. If you wish, you may drive your vehicle / RV to Tek. The trade-off is that you must make, at minimum, a three-night stay, and your vehicle must stay in your campsite for the duration of your stay, while you use transit buses to sightsee. Tent campers using the park bus system to reach Tek are not subject to the 3-night minimum stay.
Details →Wonder Lake
Wonder Lake Campground is closed until further notice. Wonder Lake Campground is at mile 85 on the Denali Park Road. It offers 28 tent-only sites. This is the closest campground to Mount McKinley. Though still nearly 26 miles away, the sheer size of the mountain makes it loom impressively over Wonder Lake Campground. Cloudy skies can obscure views, and mosquitoes can be fierce, but clear days offer views that will last a lifetime. Bear-proof food lockers are available throughout the campground.
Details →Things to Do
Backpacking in Denali
A backpacking trip in Denali is unlike backpacking in most other national parks. Denali is about the size of Vermont, with only a handful of trails—most of which are near the entrance of the park for day-hiking, rather than overnight backpacking. This opportunity to set your own route and hike through a trail-less landscape amid wild animals and wilderness is rare in the 21st century.
Berry Picking in Denali
Alaska is well known for it’s amazing and abundant berries in August and September—just ask any of the grizzly bears in Denali! A family friendly activity would be to strike off into the tundra and search for berries. Bring your bucket (or empty water bottle) to fill, or simply snack on the go.
Bike the Denali Park Road
Biking the Denali Park Road is a rewarding way to explore the park at a slower speed than vehicles allow. Experience a variety of terrain over the course of just a few hours as you pedal from forested areas up to expansive views of the tundra, then coast back downhill towards a river.
Discover the Boreal Forest: Identify Plants While Hiking in Denali
Denali is home to a beautiful variety of plant species, from tall Aspen trees to short Moss campion. With a diversity of habitat types that support water-loving to drought-tolerant plants, Denali is an excellent place to immerse yourself in the subarctic flora. The DenaliFlora App is the perfect companion for your botanical explorations.
Dog Mushing in Denali
Though Denali's dogs are not available for visitor sled rides, there are opportunities for visitors to arrange for day trips or multi-night trips through a privately owned sled dog kennel in the area.
Early Morning Hike to Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake is a lovely destination about 2 miles from the Denali Visitor Center. A trail loops around the entire lake, which is occasionally home to moose, beavers and a variety of bird-life. An early-morning visit to the lake is particularly pleasant, though any time of day is great to hike to the lake.
Explore Denali's Winter Trails
Whether on foot, skis or snowshoes, winter is a great time for you to explore Denali! Snow starts falling as early as September, although in some years the conditions aren't good for skiing until December, and it sticks around until April or May.
Explore Mountain Vista & Savage River
While most of Denali’s sole road is restricted just to bus traffic, anybody can drive out to Mountain Vista and Savage River. Located about 15 miles inside the park, the area is scenic, featuring several trails (some short, one long) and a picnic area.
Hike a Short Trail From the Denali Visitor Center
At 6 million acres in size, Denali is incredibly vast, and hiking is possible almost anywhere in the park. However, there are only a handful of established trails in the park, and here you'll find a few suggestions for one or more short hikes from the Denali Visitor Center.
Hiking Off Trail in Denali
Denali National Park and Preserve has very few formal trails for a park of its size, but hiking off trail offers limitless opportunities for recreation and exploration. The terrain and bus system in Denali make hiking off trail less intimidating and more approachable than it may seem at first.
Look for the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
Aurora is like any weather phenomenon, where a forecast is issued each day. Unlike rain, though, aurora viewing can only occur when the far north is dark enough; and forecasts aren't nearly as precise as weather forecasts. Despite these challenges, any dark night in Alaska is a great time to look outside and hope for some signs of the Northern Lights!
Sightsee on a Denali Tour Bus
Summer sight-seeing in Denali is mainly done by bus, and there are several trips to choose from. Narrated tour bus trips are more expensive than non-narrated transit buses. From high up in a bus, it becomes possible to look over roadside brush, allowing you to enjoy the incredible scenery (and wildlife sightings, too!).
Sightsee on a Denali Transit Bus
Summer sight-seeing in Denali is mainly done by bus, and there are several trips to choose from. Transit bus trips are the cheapest and most flexible option, although they aren't narrated. From high up in a bus, it becomes possible to look over roadside brush, allowing you to enjoy the incredible scenery (and wildlife sightings, too!).
Viewing Wildlife in Denali
Denali provides habitat for 39 species of mammals, 169 species of birds, 14 species of fish, and one species of amphibian The large animals that are often the most sought after can be surprisingly elusive. The so called “Big Five”—moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, and wolves, receive the most attention, but the is a great place to see a wide variety of wildlife. The longer you spend in the area, the better your chances to see wild animals!
Walk on a Glacier in the Alaska Range
The rugged Alaska Range is home to Denali, the highest point in North America. For some visitors, a flight-seeing trip over or around "the Mountain" can be one of the most memorable parts of a visit to Alaska. Some companies are also authorized to land on a glacier in the park, letting passengers disembark for a short while.
Visitor Centers
- Denali Bus Depot
- Denali Visitor Center
- Eielson Visitor Center
- Indoor Picnic Area
- Murie Science and Learning Center
- Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station
Webcams
Source: National Park Service.