Denali National Park in Alaska, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska takes some planning before the scenery comes into view. Most summer travel beyond the entrance area uses buses, while snow determines how far you can drive during the colder months. Choose your season and transport first, then fit hikes and wildlife watching around that access.

Highlights in Denali

• The Alaska Range: mountain views open along the park road when clouds allow.
• Savage River: a riverside walk beyond the busy entrance area, with uneven ground despite relatively little climbing.
• Working sled dogs: the park kennels explain how dog teams support winter wilderness work.
• Wildlife watching: grizzly bears and moose live here, but sightings depend on where animals choose to roam.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Safety around wildlife and remote terrain

Keep at least 300 yards from bears and 25 yards from other wildlife. Carry bear spray and learn how to use it before hiking. Never approach an animal to improve a photograph.

Cold rain and even summer snow can change a short walk into a serious problem. Bring insulating layers and rain gear. Tell someone your route and expected return time. Cell service is largely confined to the entrance area, so a phone connection is not a dependable emergency plan farther inside. Read the park's wilderness safety guidance before choosing an off-trail route.

Visit responsibly

Follow temporary wildlife closures even when a route otherwise appears open. Pack out trash. On overnight backcountry trips, approved bear-resistant food containers are required from April 15 through September 30.

Pets need a leash no longer than six feet. They can use roads and parking areas, but most trails and off-trail terrain are closed to pets. The Roadside Hiking Trail and Roadside Bike Trail are exceptions. Pets cannot ride park buses. Qualified service animals have different access provisions.

Bus reservations and camping permits

Reserve a summer bus trip in advance if your schedule leaves little flexibility. Transit buses allow hiking stops and later reboarding; narrated tours suit visitors who want a guided account of the route. An entrance fee is separate from a transit ticket, while narrated tour prices include it. Free local shuttles do not require reservations.

Developed campground reservations use the park's concessioner. Backcountry camping follows a different process: obtain a free permit in person no more than one day before departure. Everyone in the group must attend the orientation. Allow time for this before arranging a camper bus. The backcountry permit guide explains the unit system and food-storage requirements.

Maps, location, and road access

The road entrance is at mile 237 of Alaska Highway 3, also called the George Parks Highway. Use the entrance coordinates supplied by NPS, 63.728443, -148.886572, rather than the postal address. A generic park pin can lead away from the actual entrance.

Inside the park, mile numbers start at that entrance. The visitor center area is at mile 1.5. Summer private driving generally ends at Savage River, mile 15. Free seasonal shuttles connect several entrance-area stops. The Alaska Railroad also serves the entrance area, and private summer buses connect with Anchorage and Fairbanks. The NPS directions and map links help separate the highway approach from travel within the park.

Nearby parks along the highway

• Denali State Park: its road-access facilities lie farther south along the George Parks Highway, between miles 135 and 164.
• Nancy Lake State Recreation Area: this Alaska state park system stop is farther along the route toward Anchorage, reached from the Parks Highway via Nancy Lake Parkway. It is an onward stop, rather than a park beside Denali's entrance.

Choose a walk or a seasonal activity

Marked trails near the entrance offer a more straightforward introduction than route-finding in the backcountry. Match the surface and climbing to your group:

• Mountain Vista Trail: a 0.6-mile loop with relatively little climbing and mountain views in clear weather.
• Savage River Loop: a two-mile loop with rough sections but no substantial elevation change.
• Horseshoe Lake Trail: two miles round trip from its trailhead. Expect a steep descent of about 250 feet to the lake and the climb back. Starting at the visitor center adds about one mile round trip.

At the sled dog kennels, summer demonstrations show another side of park operations. Winter visiting hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 1–4 p.m., but teams may be away working. Follow staff instructions and supervise young children closely.

Snowshoeing and skiing become options when winter conditions allow. The Winter Visitor Center loans snowshoes and provides a place to discuss a suitable route.

Facilities and accessibility

Summer food service includes the Morino Grill and packaged supplies at Riley Creek Mercantile. Water-fill stations operate at the visitor center and bus depot in summer. Riley Creek also has seasonal showers and laundry. In colder months, obtain water at the Winter Visitor Center or Indoor Picnic Area during opening hours. Pit toilets remain available at selected entrance-area locations.

Riley Creek Campground operates year-round; other developed campgrounds are seasonal. Vehicle camping belongs in open campgrounds, not roadside pullouts. There are no NPS-operated hotels.

Wheelchair-accessible buses are available. Discuss your requirements before reserving. If standard bus accommodations cannot meet your needs, contact the park several weeks ahead about its accessibility arrangements.

About Denali National Park and Preserve

The park road provides a narrow route through a much larger landscape. Beyond the marked trails, wilderness travel depends on navigation, judgment, and preparation rather than a continuous signed path.

People and park history

People may have lived on these lands for as long as 12,000 years. Traditional subsistence continues for qualified local rural residents. The national park dates to 1917, and working sled dogs have served it through most of that history.

Wildlife through the seasons

Large mammals attract attention, but Denali's wildlife also includes small mammals, insects, and a single amphibian species. Many birds arrive for the summer and leave before the long winter. Watch from a distance and leave animals room to continue feeding or moving.

Contact the park

Denali National Park and Preserve: 907-683-9532. Rangers answer calls from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except major holidays. The mailing address is PO Box 9, Denali Park, AK 99755; it is not a driving destination.