Photo: NPS Photo / Nathan Kostegian
Denali is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road.
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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.
The Denali Park Road is open to Mile 30, Teklanika River. Please stay alert for heavy equipment traveling on the park road.
15 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
Reservation required
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…
Learn more about Backpacking in Denali on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about Berry Picking in Denali on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about Bike the Denali Park Road on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about Discover the Boreal Forest: Identify Plants While Hiking in Denali on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Reservation required
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.
Learn more about Dog Mushing in Denali on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about Early Morning Hike to Horseshoe Lake on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about Explore Denali's Winter Trails on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about Explore Mountain Vista & Savage River on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about Hike a Short Trail From the Denali Visitor Center on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Reservation required
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…
Learn more about Hiking Off Trail in Denali on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about Look for the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Reservation required Fee applies
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…
Learn more about Sightsee on a Denali Tour Bus on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Reservation required Fee applies
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…
Learn more about Sightsee on a Denali Transit Bus on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Reservation required
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…
Learn more about Viewing Wildlife in Denali on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Reservation required Fee applies
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…
Learn more about Walk on a Glacier in the Alaska Range on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)Showing 15 of 15
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Find timed-entry reservations, permits, tours, tickets, visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Timed Entry
Permit Reservations Any private vehicle driving the Denali Park Road past Mile 15 will need a permit. The permit holder needs to be in the vehicle and present ID at the…
Permit Reservations
Any private vehicle driving the Denali Park Road past Mile 15 will need a permit. The permit holder needs to be in the vehicle and present ID at the time of entry. Visit the park's current conditions webpage for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
PLEASE NOTE: Permits are only available during the summer of 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because these permit reservations may sell quickly, we recommend that you create an account on Recreation.gov and ensure that you're logged into your account prior to the ticket release time. After account creation/logging in, follow these steps:
Step 1: Under “Tickets,” click the “Book Now” button for the Teklanika Road Permit.
Step 2: Select the date you wish to book (available dates will be marked with an “A” in the calendar)
Step 3: Select the permit time.
Step 4: Under “Quantity,” select number of people who will be in the vehicle (options are: 1 person, 2 people, or 3 or more
people.)
Step 5: Add to cart (note: you will need to sign in or create an account to do this)
Step 6: You have 15 minutes* to:
a. Review time and date for the permit
b. Enter ticket holder details. This does not need to be the person purchasing the ticket, but the person MUST be
present in the vehicle when checking in at the park.
c. Apply a park pass: if you have a pass or will have one before the permit date. The pass MUST be presented at
time of check in for the permit.
* When time is about to expire, you’ll have the opportunity to add an additional five minutes. However, once that time is up, this order will be removed from your cart and made available to other visitors
Step 7: Finish checking out.
Park Entrance Fees
Are required at the time of the permit reservation, no payment accepted when entering the park. Please purchase entrance fees through Recreation.gov and present the receipt at time of entry. Or if you have an annual or lifetime pass at the time of your permit reservation those are accepted as your entrance fee. Valid entrance passes accepted are: Denali National Park & Preserve Annual Pass, Interagency passes including: Annual, Senior Lifetime, Senior Annual, Access, Volunteer, Military, Veteran, Gold Star Family and 4th Grade Pass. 5th grade voucher also accepted for summer 2021. Pass holders must present pass and ID at time of entry.
Additional information
Denali National Park & Preserve is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelers see low-elevation taiga forest give way to rivers and views of the snow capped peaks in the Alaska Range. Wild animals, large and small, roam unfenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility, and wilderness await.
Visitors are invited to explore the park's website for additional information.
As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the park will implement a timed entry road permit reservation system to allow some private vehicles to travel the restricted portion of the Denali Park Road to Mile 30. This 2021 offering will allow for additional access beyond the limited transit and tour bus schedule and complies with CDC social distancing guidelines. Visitors who wish to explore the park road past Mile 30 should explore bus reservations.
Driving the Denali Park Road is a unique opportunity and not to be undertaken lightly. Visitors will traverse a winding, gravel road with some steep slopes, narrow shoulders, no cell service and limited access to facilities. Please be aware you’ll be sharing the road with buses and heavy equipment.
Permit
Each September the park hosts a multi-day event called "Road Lottery." During these days, winners of a lottery drawing are given a chance to purchase a single, day-long…
Overview:
Each September the park hosts a multi-day event called "Road Lottery." During these days, winners of a lottery drawing are given a chance to purchase a single, day-long permit, allowing them to drive as much of the Denali Park Road as weather allows. In years with heavy snowfall, the park road may open no farther than Savage River (mile 15); in milder years, lottery winners are able to enjoy a trip out to Kantishna (mile 92).
Natural Features:
Denali National Park and Preserve 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', Denali. Wild animals, large and small, roam unfenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility, and wilderness await.
Recreation:
The vast and expansive landscape that surrounds the Denali Park Road includes not only breathtaking scenery but opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, and much more. Visitors are invited to explore the park's website for activities and additional information related to the fall Road Lottery.
Camping and overnight sleeping while on the Denali Park Road is allowed only in designated campgrounds that are open. These may include: Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika Campgrounds.
Wildlife viewing along the Denali Park Road can never be guaranteed. Some of the most iconic, large mammals, such as grizzly and black bears, wolves, caribou, moose and Dall sheep, can be seen by lucky visitors. More-often seen small mammals include arctic ground squirrels, red squirrels, foxes and marmots.
Facility Details:
The dates of Road Lottery vary each year -- the event usually begins the second Thursday after Labor Day.
Year Dates for "Road Lottery" Event 2018 Sept 14,16,17,18
Ticket Facility
Permit Reservations Any private vehicle driving the Denali Park Road past Mile 15 will need a permit. The permit holder needs to be in the vehicle and present ID at the…
Permit Reservations
Any private vehicle driving the Denali Park Road past Mile 15 will need a permit. The permit holder needs to be in the vehicle and present ID at the time of entry. Visit the park's current conditions webpage for answers to Frequently Asked Questions .
PLEASE NOTE: Permits are only available during the summer of 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because these permit reservations may sell quickly, we recommend that you create an account on Recreation.gov and ensure that you're logged into your account prior to the ticket release time.
Park Entrance Fees
Are required at the time of the permit reservation, no payment accepted when entering the park. Please purchase entrance fees through Recreation.gov and present the receipt at time of entry. Or if you have an annual or lifetime pass at the time of your permit reservation those are accepted as your entrance fee. Valid entrance passes accepted are: Denali National Park & Preserve Annual Pass, Interagency passes including: Annual, Senior Lifetime, Senior Annual, Access, Volunteer, Military, Veteran, Gold Star Family and 4th Grade Pass. 5th grade voucher also accepted for summer 2021. Pass holders must present pass and ID at time of entry.
Additional information
Denali National Park & Preserve is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelers see low-elevation taiga forest give way to rivers and views of the snow capped peaks in the Alaska Range. Wild animals, large and small, roam unfenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility, and wilderness await.
Visitors are invited to explore the park's websitefor additional information.
As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the park will implement a timed entry road permit reservation system to allow some private vehicles to travel the restricted portion of the Denali Park Road to Mile 30. This 2021 offering will allow for additional access beyond the limited transit and tour bus schedule and complies with CDC social distancing guidelines. Visitors who wish to explore the park road past Mile 30 should explore bus reservations.
Driving the Denali Park Road is a unique opportunity and not to be undertaken lightly. Visitors will traverse a winding, gravel road with some steep slopes, narrow shoulders, no cell service and limited access to facilities. Please be aware you’ll be sharing the road with buses and heavy equipment.
Visitor Center
A heated building, called the Indoor Picnic Area, is located next door to the Murie Science and Learning Center. Open in winter only, mid-October to mid-April. Restrooms…
Mile 1.4 Denali Park Road, Denali Park, AK 907 683-9532 Directions
Facility
This summer facility is operated by our concessionaire rather than by the National Park Service. It is the primary place to buy bus tickets, arrange for stays in park…
Denali Park, AK (866) 761-6629 Directions
Facility
Open in summer only, this is the main visitor center near the park entrance. During the summer, you can explore exhibits, watch the park film, pay the park entrance fee…
Mile 1.5 Denali Park Road, Denali Park, AK (907) 683-9532 Directions
Facility
The Eielson Visitor Center is located at Mile 66 of the Denali Park Road. Due to the ongoing Pretty Rocks landslide and the closure of the park road at Mile 42, Eielson…
Mile 66, Denali Park Road, Denali Park, AK (907) 683-9532 Directions
Facility
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…
Mile 35, Denali Park Road, Denali Park, AK (800) 622-7275 Directions
Facility
The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) is located at Mile 1.3 of the Denali Park Road at the entrance of Denali National Park and Preserve. In winter, the MSLC is…
Mile 1.4 Denali Park Rd., Denali Park, AK (907) 683-9532 Directions
Facility
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…
Reservation website Mile 0.25, Denali Park Road, Denali Park, AK (800) 622-7275 Directions
Facility
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…
Reservation website Mile 22, Denali Park Road, Denali Park, AK (800) 622-7275 Directions
Facility
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…
Reservation website Mile 14 Denali Park Rd., Denali Park, AK (800) 622-7275 Directions
Facility
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…
Reservation website Mile 29, Denali Park Road, Denali Park, AK (800) 622-7275 Directions
Facility
Located in the town of Talkeetna, about 100 miles south of the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, this ranger station serves as the center of mountaineering…
22241 S. B Street, Talkeetna, AK (907) 733-2231 Directions
Facility
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…
Reservation website Mile 85, Denali Park Road, Denali Park, AK (907) 683-9532 Directions
Open 24 hours, daily · All Park Hours
Denali is open 24-hours a day, although services are limited after-hours (generally after 4 pm in winter or 6 pm in summer). There is no gate at the park entrance. Please note that camping is only possible either in designated campgrounds (with a valid reservation) or in the rest of the park with a free backpacking permit.
Denali charges an entrance fee year-round. Youth age 15 or younger are free. For people age 16 or older, the $15 entrance fee provides a 7-day entrance permit. Be prepared to show your receipt or pass (digital or physical) if requested by park staff.
The Denali Annual Pass covers up to four adults. You may purchase it online or in person at the park.
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Summer is typically cool and wet, with highs typically in the upper 50s to low 60s, and lows in the 40s. On occasion, summer highs reach the low 80s, though this is rare. Snow can fall any month of the year, so be prepared for chilly weather even in summer. Fall colors emerge on the alpine tundra in August and in the low valleys in early September. Winter generally starts in mid-September, with temps often getting down to -40 by January. Spring is a short season in April / May, with highs above freezing.
You can drive to Denali from Anchorage or Fairbanks, along Highway 3, which is known as the "George Parks Highway." Fairbanks is about 2 hours north, while Anchorage is 5 hours south of the Denali entrance. You can also reach Denali from either city via the Alaska Railroad, which is operated by the State of Alaska.
Mailing address: PO Box 9, Denali Park, AK 99755
Ask about trails, fees, weather, events, or planning your visit.
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