Visiting Denali National Park and Preserve: The Complete Guide for 2022

Post Summary: Visiting Denali National Park

Denali National Park and Preserve is located in interior Alaska.  The Park and Preserve are two separate national park service units that are managed together.  They had slightly different rules and regulations but for the most part, are one and the same.  The units are named for the great mountain in the park.  Denali stands at 20,320 feet and is the highest mountain in North America.  The park was founded to protect the Dall sheep and their ecosystem from overhunting.

In this guide, we will be exploring Denali National Park and Preserve and providing helpful hints and tips for planning a trip to Denali. We will help you avoid the crowds as well as find the best Denali hikes, and where to stay. Here is the National Park Obsessed guide for visiting Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

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The Quick Guide to Visiting Denali National Park and Preserve

Map of Denali National Park

Click on the Denali Map above to download the official brochure map. If you’d like a PDF copy of this Denali Map click here.

Denali National Park Basics

Region: Alaska / Pacific Northwest / West Coast / Pacific

Park Size: 4,740,911 acres (7,407.67 sq miles) (19,185.79 sq km)

Preserve Size: 1,304,242 acres (2,037.88 sq miles) (5,278.08 sq km)

Location: Denali and Matanuska-Susitna Boroughs

Closest Cities: Healy, Alaska

Busy Season: June to August

Visitation: 601,152 (in 2019)

Funniest 1-Star Review: Couldn’t WAIT to see all the wildlife, saw 1 bear way in the distance and a couple of Dell Sheep that could have been dots of snow at the top of the hill. Total waste of time. It was a 6 hour tour and was so boring I fell asleep (along with half the others on the old bus) for a couple of hours. Didn’t even see a butterfly!

Official Website: Click Here

How much does Denali National Park Cost?

Denali National Park and Preserve costs the following:

• 7-day Individual Pass (Over 15 years) – $15
• Under 15 years – Free

An annual Denali National Park Pass costs $45 but it is not recommended you buy this pass. For an extra $35 you can get an American the Beautiful Pass. This $80 pass offers free admission to all 116 fee-charging National Park Units.

When is Denali National Park Open?

Denali National Park is open year-round.

Are dogs allowed in Denali National Park?

Yes, pets are welcome in Denali National Park but are limited to developed areas such as roads, parking areas, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Pets are not allowed on the trails or in the wilderness within the park. Please review the Denali Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Denali.

Where are Denali National Park’s visitor centers?

Murie Science and Learning Center / Winter Visitor Center – Open Year Around

Denali Visitor Center – May to September

Eielson Visitor Center – May to September

Denali Bus Depot – May to September

Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station – May to September

Toklat River Contact Station – May to September

Land Acknowledgments for Denali National Park

The National Park known as Denali National Park sits on Upper Kuskokwim, Koyukon, Dënéndeh, Dena’ina Ełnena, Ahtna Nenn’, and Tanana land.

Thank you to the Native Land Digital for making the Indigenous territories accessible to all. They have mapped the known territories to the best of the current knowledge and is a work in progress. If you have additional information on the Indigenous nations boundaries, please let them know.

Native Land Digital is a registered Canadian not-for-profit organization with the goal to creates spaces where non-Indigenous people can be invited and challenged to learn more about the lands they inhabit, the history of those lands, and how to actively be part of a better future going forward together.

When was Denali National Park Created?

Denali National Park and Preserve was created on February 26, 1917, as Mount McKinley National Park. The original park boundaries included just of a portion of the current park.

In 1978, the surrounding area was declared as Denali National Monument. In 1980 as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, Mount McKinley National Park was combined with Denali National Monument to create Denali National Park and Preserve.

We protect intact, the globally significant Denali ecosystems, including their cultural, aesthetic, and wilderness values, and ensure opportunities for inspiration, education, research, recreation, and subsistence for this and future generations.

Denali National Park and Preserve Foundation Document

Fun Facts about Denali National Park

• The highest point in Denali National Park is the summit of Denali which is 20,310 (6,190 m) above sea level.
• Denali, the mountain, is the tallest mountain on land. From base to summit, the moutnain
• The lowest point in Denali National Park is the Yentna River which is 240 ft (73 m) above sea level.
• Denali means “Great One” or “High One” in the local Athabaskan language.
• Denali can be seen up to 200 miles away.
• The first summet attempt of Denali look place in 1903. The first verifiable summit was achieved on June 7, 1913.

• Denali by the numbers
  • 92 miles of roads
  • 89.4 miles of hiking trails
  • 35.5 archeological sites

>>> Learn more Denali Facts and Statistics here.

When to Visit Denali National Park

Denali National Park Visitation

Denali is busiest from May to September.

Denali National Park Weather

Denali National Park is located in interior Alaska and has a subarctic climate. The park has long winters and short summers. The summers are cool and damp with unpredictable weather. Snow can happen at any time of the year.

How to Get to Denali National Park

Where is Denali National Park Located?

Denali National Park is one of the easiest National Parks in Alaska to visit. The park is located in interior Alaska along the Parks Highway between Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska.

Below you’ll find my quick guide for getting to Denali, here is my detailed guide for how to get to Denali National Park.

Flying to Denali National Park

If you are planning to fly to Alaskan and visit Denali National Park, your two main options are Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). These are both major international airports with year-round flight service from the lower 48 and many international destinations.

Fairbanks has year-round service from Alaska Airlines and Delta. During the summer, there are flights from most major airline hubs including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and San Francisco.

Anchorage has year-round service from Seattle, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. During the summer season, there are non-stop flights from 14 different states and several other countries such as China, Germany, and Russia.

Driving to Denali National Park

Unless you live in Alaska, driving to Denali National Park will involve driving through Canada. You will need a passport and it’s a LONG drive.

Distance from Major Cities to Denali National Park

City	Mileage	Kilometers	Drive Time
Anchorage, AK	237 mi	371 km	4 hours
Atlanta, GA	4,301 mi	6,921 km	69 hours
Boston, MA	4,561 mi	7,340 km	73 hours
Charlotte, NC	4,336 mi	6,978 km	71 hours
Chicago, IL	3,580 mi	5,761 km	58 hours
Columbus, OH	3,937 mi	6,335 km	65 hours
Denver, CO	3,193 mi	5,138 km	53 hours
Detroit, MI	3,866 mi	6,221 km	63 hours
Houston, TX	4,220 mi	6,791 km	67 hours
Las Vegas, NV	3,407 mi	5,483 km	55 hours
Los Angeles, CA	3,675 mi	5,914 km	59 hours
Miami, FL	4,964 mi	7,988 km	78 hours
Minneapolis, MN	3,172 mi	5,104 km	53 hours
Nashville, TN	4,055 mi	6,525 km	65 hours
New Orleans, LA	4,394 mi	7,071 km	70 hours
New York City, NY	4,368 mi	7,029 km	71 hours
Philadelphia, PA	4,337 mi	6,979 km	70 hours
Phoenix, AZ	3,649 mi	5,872 km	59 hours
Salt Lake City, UT	2,989 mi	4,810 km	49 hours
San Francisco, CA	3,127 mi	5,032 km	55 hours
Seattle, WA	2,330 mi	3,749 km	43 hours
Washington, D.C.	4,278 mi	6,884 km	69 hours

Public Transport to Denali National Park

Despite being located in Alaska, Denali is one of the most accessible parks in terms of public transportation. There are two public transportation options once you are in Alaska.

Alaskan Railroad

The Alaskan Railroad offers service to Denali National Park year-round as part of their service of Anchorage to Fairbanks. From mid-May to mid-September, there is daily service. During the rest of the year, there is weekend and midweek service. Here is the Denali Train schedule. The train ride is 7 hours from Anchorage and 4 hours from Fairbanks.

Buses to Denali

The Alaskan Park Connection Motorcoach offers bus service between Anchorage and Denali from June to mid-September.

What kind of rental car do you need for a Denali National Park Road Trip?

Unless you are driving the Denali Road Lottery, any rental vehicle you would like will work to drive from Anchorage or Fairbanks.

I book most of my rental cars through RentalCars.com. They have a great selection of rental cars from most major agencies and the best prices – check prices here.

Things to do in Denali National Park

Hiking in Denali National Park

Best Hiking Trails in Denali National Park

Denali National Park doesn’t have a huge number of maintained hiking trails but its trails showcase some of the amazing landscapes of this park. There are 20 hiking trails in Denali. Here are some of my favorite –

• Savage Alpine Trail – 4 Mile (one way) – 1,500 ft elevation gain
• Mount Healy Overlook Trail – 5.4 miles (round trip) – 1,700 ft elevation gain
• Triple Lakes Trail – 9.5 mile (one way) – 1,000 ft elevation gain

>>> Click here to learn more about the Best Hikes in Denali National Park

Off Trail Hiking in Denali National Park

Unlike many other national parks, off-trail hiking is allowed and encouraged in Denali. Visitors can hike anywhere they would like in the wilderness areas of the park.

Where to stamp your National Parks Passport Book in Denali National Park?

Looking for a cheap National Park souvenir? The National Park Passport Books is one of the best and cheapest souvenirs. If you have don’t have a National Park Passport Book click here to learn more about the program or click here to buy.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT stamp your government issued passport.

There are 2 official stamps in Denali along with a handful of bonus stamps in the park.

• NPS Centennial
• Talkeetna, AK

Bonus Stamps

• Denali Bus Depot
• Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
• Eielson Visitor Center
• Murie Science & Learning Center – dinosaur footprint
• Picture of Wonder Lake
• Talkeetna Alaska
• THE KANTISHNA EXPERIENCE
• THE KANTISHNA EXPERIENCE with date
• Toklat Visitor Center

Denali National Park Passport Stamp Locations

Here are all the locations where you can find the Denali National Park Passport Stamp.

• Denali Bus Depot (Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska)
• Denali Bus Depot (Denali Park)
• Denali Visitor Center
• Eielson Visitor Center
• Fannie Quigley Cabin
• Murie Science and Learning Center
• Riley Creek Campground Mercantile
• Toklat River Contact Station
• Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station
• Wonder Lake Ranger Station

Denali Bus Depot

Denali Bus Depot is located at Mile 0.75 Park Rd, Denali National Park, AK 99755. It is open from mid-May to mid-September. Stamps located here:

Denali Visitor Center

Denali Visitor Center is located at Mile 1.5 Park Rd, Denali National Park, AK 99755. It is open from May 15 to September 20. Stamps located here:

Eielson Visitor Center

Hulls Cove Visitor Center is located at Mile 66 Park Road, Denali National Park, AK. It is open from June 1 to mid-September. Stamps located here:

Fannie Quigley Cabin

Fannie Quigley Cabin is located at Park Rd, Denali National Park, Healy, AK 99743. It is open from June 1 to mid-September. Stamps located here:

Murie Science and Learning Center

Murie Science and Learning Center is located at Mile 1.3 Park Rd, Denali National Park, AK 99755. It is open from mid-May to mid-September. Stamps located here:

Riley Creek Campground Mercantile

Riley Creek Campground Mercantile r is located at Park Road, Denali, AK, 99755. It is open from mid-May to mid-September. Stamps located here:

Toklat River Contact Station

Toklat River Contact Station is located at Mile 53 Park Road, Denali National Park, AK. It is open from mid-May to mid-September. Stamps located here:

Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station

Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station is located at 22241 B St, Talkeetna, AK 99676. It is open from year-round. Hours vary by season. Stamps located here:

Wonder Lake Ranger Station

Wonder Lake Ranger Station is located at Park Road, Denali, AK. It is open from mid-May to mid-September. Stamps located here:

Feeling overwhelmed with planning your Alaska National Park trip? Our expertly designed Alaska Park itinearies will show you how to make the most of your time and make booking your trip easy.

>>> Find the best Alaska National Itineary for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Denali National Park

What is the best way to see Denali?

The best time of year to visit Denali National Park is early June to mid-September. The 92-mile park road is usually fully open and the weather is usually pleasant and the shuttle bus system is operating.

How many days do you need in Denali?

Ideally, you need two days to explore Denali. The bus tour into the park takes between 6-12 hours so its a full-day adventure. The second day gives you time to do some hiking and see the dog sled demonstration.

Is going to Denali worth it?

Yes, it is. The Indigenous peoples of the area knew the mountain was special and early explorers had similar experiences and advocated for the creation of the park. Think about it this way Alaska got its first National Park 42 years before becoming a state of the United States. That is how special of a place Denali and the surrounding area.

What is the best month to see Denali?

If you are looking to see the mountain called Denali, the winter months offer the best visibility. If you are looking to explore the park and have a chance to see the mountain, then the summer months of June, July, August, and September are the best months.

Can you explore Denali on your own?

Sort of. It is impossible to explore the interior of the park without using the shuttle bus system but you can easily explore on your own once you get inside the park. Visitors to Denali can hike anywhere they would like.

Where should I stay in Denali without a car?

I recommend staying at one of the cruise ship passenger-focused hotels. These hotels have regular shuttles into the park and some of the park tours offer pick-up at these hotels. These include Denali Bluffs Hotel, McKinley Chalet Resort, Denali Park Village and Denali Grizzly Bear Resort.

How long is the bus ride in Denali?

The bus ride in Denali is from 4.5 to 12 hours depending on how far you would like to go into the park. There are different tour and shuttle bus options depending on what you want to do.

What is the difference between Denali State Park and Denali National Park?

There is Denali National Park and Preserve and Denali State Park. The State Park is located along the southern edge of Denali National Park. The State park is underdeveloped and is a popular hiking and backpacking area.

Can you see Northern Lights from Denali?

Yes, you can see the Northern Lights in Denali National Park. Nothern light season starts in early September to late April. The Northern Lights are only visible once the sun starts to dip below the horizon long enough to get dark.

>>> Learn more about National Park Northern Light Viewing.

Is there cell service in Denali?

Cell service in Denali National Park is very limited. There is only cell service access along the first 3 miles of the park road. Beyond those 3 miles, there isn’t reliable cell service by any carrier.

Are there Ubers in Denali?

There is a 2017 article about the first Uber driver in the Denali area. I cannot find any information on if he is still operation or if others have joined him. But cell service can be spotty within the park so I wouldn’t rely on uber to get to and from your hotel to the visitor center.

Do you need a car in Denali National Park?

Denali National Park is one of the few National Parks you can explore without a car. There is only one park road in Denali National Park and for most of the season, its closed to personal vehicles. If you are looking to visit Denali without a car, take the train from Fairbanks or Anchorage and then use the bus system to explore the park.

National Parks Near Denali National Park

Check out this great 63 National Parks and get a FREE National Park Checklist. Count how many National Parks you have visited.

National Park Service units within a 4 hours drive

• None

National Park Service units within an 8 hours drive

• Kenai Fjords National Park
• Wrangel l– St. Elias National Park and Preserve

Check out nearby National Park Service Sites (accessible by air from Anchorage):

• Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
• Katmai National Park and Preserve
• Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve
• Alagank Wild River
• Aleutian World War II National Historic Area

Check out nearby National Park Service Sites (accessible by air from Fairbanks):

• Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
• Kobuk Valley National Park
• Noatak National Preserce
• Cape Krusenstern National Monument
• Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
• Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve

Final Thoughts on visiting Denali National Park and Preserve

Do you have any questions about Denali Natonal Park or need help planning your National Park trips. Let me know in the comments or join me in my National Park Trip Planning Community!

Feeling overwhelmed with planning your Alaska National Park trip? Our expertly designed Alaska Park itinearies will show you how to make the most of your time and make booking your trip easy.

>>> Find the best Alaska National Itineary for you.

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