The ultimate guide to Denali National Park and Preserve

Created by Roadtrippers - September 8th 2021

The ultimate guide to Denali National Park and Preserve Map

Written by Bailey Berg

With moose grazing in river valleys, meadows festooned with wildflowers, forests thick with aspen and birch trees, and breathtaking views of “The Great One” at Wonder Lake, the natural beauty of Denali National Park and Preserve packs a wallop. At 6.1 million acres, it’s the third largest national park in the U.S. (larger than the state of Massachusetts), meaning there is no shortage of ways to explore and be delighted by everything the area has to offer.

To many people, Denali represents all that is still wild and raw in Alaska. While some may find that exciting, it can also be nerve-wracking. The National Park Service offers a slew of ranger-led hikes and presentations every day of the week. The Discovery Hikes are 3- to 5-hour adventures where rangers teach hikers about local flora and fauna; they often take place deep within the park, so would-be explorers need to reserve a shuttle ticket in advance.

Denali National Park has many distinctions, but one of the sweetest is that it’s the only park to employ dogs. At any given time, the kennel has several dozen sled dogs (and often a litter of puppies) waiting to teach visitors about their work and importance in the park. In the winter, they help rangers conduct patrols, check in with winter travelers, and bring additional gear to scientists working deep within the park. In the summer, the four-legged rangers do demonstrations and wait patiently for belly rubs.

It can be challenging to know where to start, so here are some of the most memorable parts of Denali National Park.

Denali National Park and Preserve

4.5

Anchorage, AK

At more than 20,000 feet—the highest peak in North America—it’s possible to see Denali from as far away as Anchorage or Fairbanks on a clear day. Clear days, however, are hard to come by. Rangers estimate that the mountain is visible one out of every three days (granted, it could be “out” for a week straight and then hidden for a month or more). Despite its lofty height, there are only a handful of places to see Denali within the actual park. Miles 9 and 11 on the Park Road are accessible by car, otherwise you have to be on a park bus where the driver will point out the subsequent sightings. Don’t worry if they’re brief—you’re almost guaranteed a good look close to mile 85 at Reflection Pond.

1

Denali Visitor Center

Arguably the best day-hike located within Denali National Park, this 9.5-mile-long, one-way trail features—you guessed it—three lakes. Because of its length, it’s one of the lesser-traveled trails near the park entrance, so there’s a good chance you’ll see wildlife such as moose, marmots, red squirrels, and foxes. If you don’t want to go out and back on the same trail (19 miles roundtrip), most hotels in the area offer shuttles and can drop you off at the southern trailhead. The trail terminates at the Visitor Center.

Wonder Lake

There’s only one road into Denali National Park (aptly called the Park Road). It runs 92 miles and one of the best stops along its length is at mile marker 85: Wonder Lake. Made famous by photographer Ansel Adams, here you can see Denali standing in all its glory behind the eponymous lake, as well as much of the Alaska Range. After you’ve taken your own photos, check out the historic cabin of Fannie Quigley, an early miner in the area, or go on an on- or off-trail hike.

2

Stampede Excursions

There are several tour operators just outside the entrance to Denali National Park, though Stampede Excursions offers the most options, including Jeep tours and ATV rides. The most envy-inducing is a helicopter tour with a glacier landing, just 10 miles from the summit of Denali. While most aerial tours of Denali depart from Talkeetna, roughly 2 hours south of the park, Stampede Excursions lifts off from just outside the park entrance.

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Denali Raft Adventures

Another popular adventure outfitter nearby is the Denali Raft Adventures. The guides take riverrats down the Nenana River between Canyon (near the park entrance) and Healy (10 miles north) on rapids reaching Class IV. Depending on the tour you sign up for, either the guide does all the work or the whole boat paddles. All tours include dry suits and a shuttle pick-up.

Kantishna Experience

Anchorage, AK

If you want to visit Kantishna, the old gold-mining town 92 miles into Denali National Park, you have two options. You can catch the transit bus or go on the Kantishna Experience Tour. The difference in the bus options is fairly simple: The transit buses are non-narrated and it’s possible to get off one bus and onto another passing one whenever, whereas the tour buses are narrated by a ranger and you're with them all day. The Kantishna Experience also allows for a stop at Kantishna Lodge for lunch, as well as activities like gold panning. It’s a long day, but you’re almost certainly guaranteed wildlife sightings.

5

229 Parks Restaurant And Tavern

National parks aren’t necessarily known for the food options surrounding them. But 229 Parks Restaurant and Tavern is top-rate. Owner and executive chef Laura Cole’s menu focuses on locally grown, freshly harvested ingredients and includes items such as pork belly and duck ramen, Alaskan octopus, and reindeer ragù. It’s a smaller establishment, so be sure to book a reservation in advance.

49th State Brewing Company

Just because you’re in the wilderness, doesn’t mean you can’t get a good craft beer. 49th State Brewing is a long-time local favorite, with tons of tap handles and a truly shocking number of whiskeys. If you’re hungry, the king crab grilled cheese is as decadent as it sounds and the pretzel with beer cheese is a crowd pleaser. Outside there’s a massive beer garden that includes the infamous bus from the movie Into the Wild.