Denali's dynamic glaciated landscape supports a diversity of wildlife with grizzly bears, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep and moose. Summer slopes are graced with birds and wildflowers. Visitors enjoy sightseeing, backpacking, mountaineering, and research opportunities. Whether climbing or admiring, the crowning jewel of the park is North America’s highest peak, the awe inspiring 20,320 foot Mount McKinley.
The Basics
Hours:
Schedule for the Winter Visitor Center
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The entrance area is where you’ll find most of the amenities of the park.
Denali Park's headquarters is located along Alaska Route 3, the George Parks Highway, approximately 240 miles north of Anchorage, AK, 125 miles south of Fairbanks, AK, and 12 miles south of Healy, AK. Denali Park's mountaineering headquarters is located in Talkeetna, AK, approximately 100 miles north of Anchorage, AK.
The Denali Park Road is accessible by private vehicle for 14.8 miles to the Savage River bridge. To travel to destinations farther into the park, shuttle and tour bus services are available. Bicycles are permitted along the Park Road.
Climate
Weather in Denali is extremely variable. Often changes in weather occur without warning. Many of our rangers tell visitors to expect sun, wind, rain, and clouds, and expect them all on the same day. Average summer temperatures range from 33 to 75° Fahrenheit. While we hope it doesn't, it has been known to snow in July, so be prepared. Wearing layers of clothing makes it easy to regulate your body temperature. Also, you'll find that a good waterproof raincoat is invaluable. Winters can be extremely cold with temperatures ranging from -40° Fahrenheit and below to high 20s on warm days. Specialized cold weather gear is necessary for mountaineering and winter visits.
The primary visitation season runs from May 1 to September 15. Visitation is lowest in winter months. The Denali Visitor Center is closed for the season, please join us at the Murie Science and Learning Center, our home for the winter months.
Fees
$10.00 per person or $20.00 per vehicle.
Things To Do
Denali National Park & Preserve is full of activities that can keep you busy for hours or weeks. While summer is the most popular time to visit Denali, winter offers many recreation and sightseeing opportunities. Here at Denali, we encourage you to take a moment to learn more about this area -- then start exploring.
Examples of just a few of the many opportunities available to you include touring the Denali Park Road by bus, attending ranger-naturalist programs, mountaineering (advanced registration required), day hiking, backcountry camping (permit required), skiing and dog mushing (winter only).
Outdoor Camping
Within Denali National Park and Preserve there are six campgrounds of varying size and distance from the developed area at the entrance to the park. You may camp a total of 14 days per year in Denali's campgrounds. Site size varies, however, there are a limited number of sites that may accommodate recreational vehicles (RV's) up to 40' in length.
Riley Creek Campground Riley Creek Campground (RCC) is a 150 site campground located just inside the entrance to the park. There are flush and vault toilets available as well as potable water. There are no hook-ups. The RCC is adjacent to the Riley Creek Mercantile Camper Convenience Store as well as the Mercantile Laundry and Shower Facilty and Dump Station. Tents and recreational vehicles can be accomodated at RCC. RCC is open year round, (one loop only during winter) with dry camping available from September through May.* Fee: Drive In Site: $20 per night Walk In Site: $12 per night *Fee waived in the off season
Savage River Campground Savage River Campground (SRC) is a 33 site campground located at Mile 13 on the Park Road. There are flush and vault toilets available as well as potable water. There are no hook-ups or other amenities available. Tents and recreational vehicles can be accomodated at SRC. SRC has 3 Group Camping sites for parties of 9 or greater, and not to exceed 20. SRC is open from late May through early September, weather dependent. Fee: Drive In Site: $20 per night
Teklanika River Campground Teklanika River Campground (Tek) is a 53 site campground located at Mile 29 on the Park Road. There are flush and vault toilets available as well as potable water. There are no hook-ups or other amenities available. Tents and recreational vehicles up to 40' in length can be accommodated at Tek. Tek is open from late May through early September, weather dependent. Fee: $16 per night with a 3-night minimum stay plus a one time reservation fee of $4 Campgounds that I must ride on a Camper Bus to get to:
Igloo Campground Igloo Campground is currently closed until further notice due to wildlife activity
Sanctuary Campground Sanctuary Campground (Sanctuary) is a 7 site campground located at Mile 23 on the Park Road. There are chemical toilets available. There is no potable water, nor are hook-ups or other amenities available. All sites at Sanctuary are walk-in only. Sanctuary is open from late May through early September, weather dependent. Fee: $9 per night plus a one-time reservation fee of $4. Reservations for Sanctuary can only be made on a walk-in basis at the Wilderness Access Center, within two (2) days of desired nights at this campground.
Wonder Lake Campground Wonder Lake Campground (WLC) is a 28 site campground located at Mile 85 on the Park Road. There are flush and vault toilets available as well as potable water. There are no hook-ups or other amenities. All sites at WLC are walk-in only. WLC is open from June 8 through early September, weather dependent Fee: $16 per night plus a one time reservation fee of $4
A variety of Ranger led walks and hikes are offered throughout the park. Joining a ranger is an excellent way to learn more about Denali National Park. Please check at any visitor center for detailed times and locations.
Horseshoe Lake Hike Difficulty: Easy to moderately strenuous Distance: 3 miles (2 hours roundtrip) Highlights: Spectacular views of Horseshoe Lake and Nenana River; wildlife sightings Elev. change: 250 feet Grade: 20% sections Width: 60 inches Surface: Native soils with roots, and rocks
Meadow View Hike Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 1.5 miles (2 hours) Highlights: View of meadow and mountains Elev. change: 250 feet Grade: 15% maximum Width: 30 inches Surface: Well-compacted gravel
Discovery Hikes
Discovery Hikes are a great way for the adventurous and well-prepared to explore the heart of Denali. These ranger-led hikes go everywhere, so expect uneven terrain, small stream crossings, close encounters with dense vegetation, and unpredictable weather. To see if a discover hike is right for you please take a look at the description and gear information. For safety concerns; rangers may turn away unprepared hikers.
Discovery Hikes are offered daily during the summer and are limited to 11 persons. These ranger-led adventures range from moderate (elevation gain less than 1000 feet) to strenuous (elevation gain more than 1000 feet).
The locations of Discovery Hikes change each day, and schedules are posted weekly at the Visitor Centers and on the web. The Discovery Hike bus leaves and returns from the Wilderness Access Center at Mile 1. Meet the bus at 8:00 a.m. and don’t be late! Plan on hiking for 3-5 hours. If you hike in the east district add a 2-5 hour round-trip bus ride. If you hike in the west district, add a 5-8 hour round-trip bus ride.
Cost: $ 28.75 for bus ticket (2007)
Additional Information: You must sign up 1-2 days in advance for Discovery Hikes at the Visitor Center, and purchase your ticket at the same time.
Day Hiking
Day Hiking in Denali can include anything from a leisurely stroll along a river bar to an adventurous hike to the top of a mountain. Denali for the most part is a trailless wilderness. You will find short trails at the entrance of the park, shown on the map below, Savage River, and Wonder Lake.
Mountaineering All climbers attempting Mt. McKinley or Mt. Foraker must register with Denali National Park & Preserve and pay a special use fee of $200.00 per climber plus park entrance fee ($10.00 per person or $20.00 per family).
The special use fee offsets costs to the South District related to mountaineering, such as maintaining the high-altitude ranger station, staff, and mountaineering booklets. In addition to the special use fee, a 60-day pre-registration regulation allows mountaineering rangers to have direct contact with climbers before they arrive in Talkeetna. In doing so, rangers are able to suggest appropriate routes for different levels of expertise and offer first-hand knowledge of conditions encountered in the Alaska Range. Learn more about registration.
The National Park Service wishes to notify climbers and mountaineers that they should expect these regulations to be strictly enforced. Climbers who are not pre-registered a minimum of 60 days in advance will be denied permission to climb Mount McKinley or Mount Foraker. Our goal is that you have a safe journey while climbing in the Alaska Range.
Outdoor Boating and Fishing
Fishing
Denali National Park is not noted for its fishing. Most streams and lakes have a high glacial silt content resulting in poor fish habitat. However, for those willing to scout out the occasional clear creeks and ponds deep enough not to freeze solid during the winter, a few fish may be caught. Lake Trout are occasionally caught in Wonder Lake and Grayling inhabit some of the clear streams running in the park.
Licenses
No state license or permit is required in the former Mount McKinley National Park, known as the "old park." An Alaska state fishing license is required in the 1980 park additions and preserves, and state regulations and limits apply.
Limits
In the "old park" catch limit per person per day is 10 fish, the catch shall not exceed 10 lbs and one (1) fish. The catch limit for lake trout (Mackinaw) per person per day is 2 fish, including those hooked and released. Possession of more than one (1) day's limit of catch by one person at any one time is prohibited.
Prohibited
1. Fishing in any manner other than by hook and line with rod or line being closely attended.
2. Possessing or using bait live or dead, minnows or other bait, fish, amphibians, nonpreserved fish eggs or fish roe.
3. Chumming or placing preserved or fresh eggs, fish roe, food, fish parts, chemicals, or other foreign substances in the water for purpose of feeding or attracting fish so that they may be taken.
4. Commercial fishing
5. Fishing by use of drugs, poisons, explosives or electricity.
6. Digging for bait
7. Failing to return immediately to the water from which it was taken, a fish that a person chooses not to keep. Fish so released shall not be included in the catch or possession limit provided that at the time of catching, the person did not possess the legal limit of fish.
8. Fishing from motor road bridges.
Penalties
Any person convicted of violating any provision of the regulations shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment not exceeding 6 months.
Cycling is a great way to see Denali National Park and get some exercise at the same time. Visitors are allowed to bike all 90 miles of the road. Concessionaires of the park offer shuttle bus service into the park, and camper buses have spots for a maximum of two bikes on a space available basis. Using the camper bus allows you to travel deep into the park for a day trip. Motorists generally show courtesy to cyclists and do their best to avoid "dusting" them by driving very slowly on the often times dry, dusty park road.
Cyclists need to keep in mind some special considerations -- there are no repair stations along the way so please plan to fix your own flats and other common problems. Also, make sure you carry water or have a filter or potable aqua tablets to make water from streams and rivers safe to drink. Obey all area closures and treat wildlife the same as if you were on foot. Plan for many types of weather at any time in the park. Sun, rain, hail, wind and even snow are all possible in the summer.
Remember, always stop for buses and bears. Put a foot down to indicate to drivers that you are stopped.
Biking & Overnight Trips
If you plan to stay in the park overnight you must secure a campsite reservation or a backcountry permit. Bicycles must be stored at designated bike racks overnight at these locations: established campgrounds, the Visitor Access Center and Toklat Road Camp. Bicycles may not be left on the roadside while camping. If you wish to camp with your bicycle, you should obtain a campground site reservation.
All lands within the former Mount McKinley National Park on both the north and the south sides of the crest of the Alaska Range are closed to all snowmachine use by federal regulation.
Other Areas of Denali National Park and Preserve
The use of snowmachines is permitted in the remainder of Denali National Park and Preserve for traditional activities or for travel to and from villages and homesites during periods of adequate snow cover or on frozen rivers.
Snowmachine use is prohibited until the park superintendent has made a determination that there is adequate snow cover. Adequate snow cover is determined by evaluating the ability of the snow pack to support snowmachine use in a manner that does not damage resource values such as vegetation and soils. A combination of factors such as snow depth, snow structure, and the characteristics of the vegetation in the area are considered in this evaluation.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is gaining in popularity as a great way to get outside and exercise in the winter. Historically, as today, different lengths of snowshoes served different purposes. Here in the park you may encounter very deep snow, where longer, traditional snowshoes are quite effective. You may also find yourself traveling along an existing trail, across rougher terrain, or through brushy areas. In these areas, a shorter shoe with an up-turned toe is better for traveling.
Cross Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is a peaceful and rewarding way to explore Denali, whether on an afternoon trip on sled dog trails, along the Park Road, or on an extended trip into the backcountry. Telemark skiing and snowboarding involve long climbs on foot, but are becoming increasing popular in Denali. If you plan to travel in areas that present avalanche hazards, please have proper training and equipment. And remember: traveling with a partner or a group is a good idea.
The Kennels now offers descriptions of winter trail conditions in Denali that are commonly used by mushers, snow shoe users, cross country skiers and skijorers. Please be aware that rapidly changing weather conditions occur, so be prepared.
