Denali National Park draws 600,000+ annual visitors. But few either venture past the entrance, or get off the Denali Park Road bus. We can help you do it better. Read on for our tips on how to visit Denali National Park in the most immersive way, culled from over 20 years planning Alaska trips and visiting Denali National Park ourselves.
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IN THIS POST – How to Visit Denali National Park:
Our Experts’ Picks:
– Best Way to See Denali: Fly in & Overnight in Kantishna
– How to See Denali – Best Views
– Best Place to See Denali
What to Do & See:
– Driving vs Denali Bus Tour
– Denali Flightseeing
– What to See in Denali Alaska
Logistics:
– How to Get There
– Denali Park Road Closure
– When to Go / How Long to Stay
Trips, Reviews & More:
– View All Denali Trip Options
– Ratings & Reviews
The Best Way to See Denali
We’re often asked about the best way to see Denali National Park. The real Denali is best experienced deep within the park, away from the visitor center and tour bus crowds. This makes where to stay in Denali National Park the most important consideration for your visit, since this will dictate how you tour and explore.
While more than 90% of visitors will stay at the park entrance, I typically suggest travelers forego the park entrance in favor of Kantishna, a historic mining town located at the end of the Denali Park Road and completely surrounded by the National Park and Preserve.
Kantishna – All-Around Best Way to See Denali
Staying in Kantishna is the best way to visit Denali. It’s as close as you can get to the base of Denali without hiking or flying in. This private inholding takes additional effort to reach but offers adventurous travelers several advantages over staying at the park entrance.
First and foremost, you trade the crowds for solitude and true Alaskan wilderness. Exclusive lodges provide comfortable accommodations and a base from which to actively explore the surrounding backcountry. Each day touring Denali offers opportunities for active guided exploration and wildlife encounters. Lodges here offer daily guided hikes ranging from easy nature walks to all-day challenging explorations into the backcountry.
A few other reasons Kantishna is the best way to visit Denali National Park:
Multi-Day, Experienced Guiding
The experience and demeanor of your guide will have a profound impact on your overall experience visiting Denali National Park. Accommodations at the park entrance are geared for independent travelers with no guided exploration unless you book a day tour. The Kantishna lodges all include guided daily activities for touring Denali with excellent, skilled naturalists and guides.
Camp Denali in particular has the most experienced guides, with appeal to travelers who appreciate informative, thematic interpretation on the trail and at the lodge. Each evening after a delicious dinner expect an entertaining and informative presentation enhancing your knowledge of the park and its inhabitants. Fully guided small-group explorations of Denali such as Alaska Coast to Denali Adventure or the Alaska’s Grand Adventure offer the best of both worlds, with an experienced trip leader along for the whole journey, combined with excellent local guides on each itinerary stop.
Small Groups, Likeminded Travelers
When staying in Kantishna you will be among a small group of likeminded travelers in an intimate setting with a shared sense of purpose to actively explore up close. Lodges in Kantishna are relatively small, featuring properties dotted with 18 to 42 individual cabins. Choose Kantishna if you desire an authentic Alaskan experience away from crowds and hope to connect with Alaska’s ancient natural rhythms.
Exclusive, Fly-In Access
Staying in a Kantishna lodge is now an even more exciting and exclusive experience. Due to the Denali road closure, the majority of the park’s visitors are currently confined to the front country. Kantishna lodges have swapped out their private Park Road buses for special flights in and out, meaning Denali flightseeing is now built into a Kantishna-based Denali trip.
Most visitors touring Denali see the park from the window of a crowded bus. Instead, you’ll begin and end your trip to Denali national park in a group of 4-5, with a bird’s eye view of glaciers, mountains and tundra. Weather-permitting, your helicopter or small airplane may also fly by Denali and the Alaska Range. In a 35- to 55-minute flight, see more than most Denali visitors view in an entire day.
Off the Grid
Plan to disconnect on your trip to Denali; after all, isn’t this part of the point? At the park entrance you will have cell service, and lodges offer WiFi internet access. However, once you reach the park interior, cell coverage disappears. In Kantishna, there is no cell coverage and lodges do not offer internet access. Lodges have courtesy phones for calls out, and incoming calls can be received at the front desk. A visit to Kantishna is a chance to truly disconnect and immerse yourself in solitude for a few days.
Better Views
How to see Denali? Spend more time in the park. This dramatically increases your chances of seeing wildlife and mountain views of Denali clear of clouds. Read about how to See Denali for even more insight about why Kantishna is the best place to stay in Denali National Park if you want more chances to see the tallest mountain in North America.
AdventureSmith-recommended lodges in Kantishna:
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Denali Park Entrance – Best as a Stopover or If Short on Time
This is where the park headquarters and visitor center are located as well as huge hotels owned by big ship cruise lines. Affectionately known as Glitter Gulch, this area offers endless opportunity for distraction including raft trips, ATV trips, horseback trips, flightseeing, hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking, zipline adventures and souvenir shops. These options answer the question of what to do in Denali National Park for most of the tourists who flock to Denali every summer. The majority of these travelers will go on to actually experience the park on a 5-, 8- or 12-hour Denali bus tour operated by the National Park Service.
The park entrance can be fun and appeal to casual tourists, but it is undoubtedly a crowded mass-tourism enterprise with little connection to the solitude, tranquility and wilderness that makes Denali famous. Consider staying at the park entrance if you don’t mind crowds, are short on time or want to break up the journey from Anchorage to Kantishna, farther inside the park.
AdventureSmith-recommended accommodations at the park entrance:
- Denali Park Village
- Denali Park Cabins
- Grizzly Cabins
- Deneki Lakes Bed & Breakfast
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How to See Denali – Best Views
Denali is so big that it creates its own weather and is often shrouded in clouds. Less than 30% of travelers visiting Denali National Park ever see the mountain. So if you do see it, consider yourself lucky. However, there are ways to increase your chances. When the mountain is “out,” it can be seen from as far away as Anchorage, but you need to know where to look. Here are a few options for the best way to see Denali from Anchorage and Fairbanks:
- When you arrive at the Anchorage International Airport, look for Denali to the north as you walk out of the terminal.
- Visit Earthquake Park in Anchorage.
- Hike to the top of Flattop Mountain in Anchorage.
- Stop at the Denali and Alaska Range Overlook in Fairbanks.
- Visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks.
There are numerous pullouts along the Parks Highway and along the Alaska Railroad routes, so be sure to ask your driver or train conductor. The mountain is not visible from the park entrance, so for the best views you’ll want to go flightseeing or transit the Park Road on a Denali bus tour. The first glimpse is possible at mile 9 of the Park Road, and the farther you travel the bigger the mountain gets.
Best Place to See Denali
In my opinion, the pinnacle of mountain views and photography are at the Eielson Visitor center at mile 66 (currently inaccessible due to the Denali road closure) and Wonder Lake at mile 85 (in Kantishna).
If you stay in Kantishna, your chances to see the mountain increase dramatically, as more time spent in the park allows for more opportunities for the mountain to show itself. In fact, guests at Camp Denali have views right from the comfort of their cabin! Traveler testimonials certainly agree that the best way to see Denali is from the Kantishna region. While other lodges in Kantishna aren’t in direct view of the mountain, they will provide shuttles to Wonder Lake when the mountain is out.
Driving vs a Denali Bus Tour
How to see Denali National Park? To really see Denali, you’ll need to go beyond the park entrance and travel along the 92-mile Denali Park Road. Wildlife sightings along the drive are a huge part of the experience of visiting Denali National Park. When asked what to do in Denali, we recommend a Denali bus tour, preferably via a private vehicle owned by a Kantishna lodge, as the self-drive option is much more limited.
Can you drive into Denali National Park? Yes, but private cars are not allowed past mile 15 on the Park Road. The National Park Service’s system of buses is therefore the primary means for travelers to explore Denali (per the current Denali Park Road closure, no vehicles are allowed past mile 43). This Denali bus tour system not only reduces traffic but also makes vehicles predictable to wildlife. Over time, animals have become accustomed to the buses, so much so that they are not afraid to approach the road.
Often so accustomed to the Park buses, the animals will sometimes amble right next to the vehicle.
The Park Road parallels the Alaska Range, traversing low valleys and high mountain passes with beautiful landscapes at every turn. The Denali Park Road is mostly unpaved and is the only road in this massive wilderness area. Transiting the Park Road takes about 5 hours and is a highlight of any visit to Denali.
While touring Denali by bus, the drivers act as naturalist guides, pointing out sights, locating wildlife, answering questions and interpreting park history. Passengers also act as spotters. When someone shouts “bear,” the bus stops, everyone lowers their window and points cameras in the direction of the animal. Often so accustomed to the buses, the animals will sometimes amble right next to the vehicle as if it isn’t even there.
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Denali Flightseeing
Flightseeing is another recommendation for what to do in Denali. An opportunity to fly over the Alaska Range is a dramatic highlight of any trip to Alaska and should not be missed. From the window of a small aircraft, the enormity of the park is revealed from colorful valleys to gentle foothills, meandering glaciers and the astounding canyons and peaks of the Alaska Range. In addition to spectacular scenery, flights may reveal mountain climbers striving to summit the great one.
Most flightseeing companies, including fixed-wing planes and helicopter operators, are based in the nearby communities of Talkeetna, Denali Park, Healy and Kantishna. Some flightseeing routes also originate in Anchorage or Fairbanks. A number of routes are available. Because Alaskan weather is unpredictable, flightseeing is not typically booked in advance.
Keep some time in your itinerary available, and if you get a clear day, don’t hesitate or wait for a better opportunity. Do it.
Keep some time in your itinerary available, and if you get a clear day, don’t hesitate or wait for a better opportunity. Do it. A popular option for travelers visiting Kantishna is to fly between Kantishna and the park entrance to start and end your stay. This not only provides your transportation in lieu of the Denali bus tour but also the opportunity to soar over Denali on an unforgettable trip.
What to See in Denali Alaska
Denali National Park and Preserve covers over six million acres of pristine wilderness in the heart of Alaska’s interior. The centerpiece of the park is the spectacular Alaskan Range and 20,310-foot-high Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), the tallest mountain in North America. Known as one of the crown jewels of the U.S. National Park Service, touring Denali is on the bucket list of most Alaska travelers.
The centerpiece of the park is the spectacular 20,310-foot-high Denali, the tallest mountain in North America.
Unlike most national parks established to protect natural wonders, Denali was established to protect an entire functioning ecosystem. An area the size of New Hampshire—covered in mountains, glaciers, glacial valleys, boreal forest and arctic tundra—is bisected by only one 92-mile road.
Travelers often ask our experts about what to see in Denali National Park. The park is home to 38 species of mammals, 160 bird species and 758 species of plants. Most people visiting Denali hope to see the big five, or a “Denali Slam,” which consists of moose, caribou, wolf, Dall sheep and the brown or grizzly bear. Travelers interested in nature, wildlife, native culture, history and extraordinary scenery will love exploring Denali National Park.
How to Get to Denali National Park
A common question we answer is how do you get to Denali National Park? Travel to Denali National Park, in the heart of Alaska’s interior, is a trip in itself since it’s located more than 200 miles north of Anchorage. The park entrance, also known as Denali Park, is located at mile 237 of Alaska Route 3, also called George Parks Highway or simply the Parks Highway. Thankfully, it is fairly easily accessed by road, rail or air so you can take your pick of a few options.
- By Road: To visit Denali from Anchorage by car, the trip will take about 5.5 hours by road (longer if there is road construction, which is common during short Alaskan summers). Coming from Fairbanks, the drive takes about 3 hours.
- By Rail: Getting to Denali National Park by train takes 8 hours northbound from Anchorage, and about 4 hours southbound from Fairbanks. Look for the Alaska Railroad Denali Star Line that runs parallel to the Parks Highway. There is a departure from each city every summer morning for this quintessential rail route.
- By Air: An efficient but more expensive way of getting to Denali National Park is to fly. Charter options from Anchorage can take you to the park entrance or Kantishna, the small community that sits within the park at the end of the Denali Park Road. With a flight you will save a long day of travel and you will receive an incredible Denali flightseeing experience along the way, but keep in mind that weather in Alaska is unpredictable and flights can get delayed or cancelled.
In the end, how to get to Denali National Park depends a lot on your group size, your preferences for traveling by car, train or plane, and your Denali trip timeline. Our experts can help customize the best way to travel to Denali National Park for your needs and interests. All of AdventureSmith’s package and custom Denali National Park trip options include guided bus and/or train transportation to and from the park—a bonus for these long hauls.
Denali Park Road Closure
Since late August of 2021, the second half of the Park road has been inaccessible due to a landslide. Here are the latest updates:
- On August 21, 2021 Denali National Park and Preserve closed a portion of the 92-mile Denali Park Road at mile 43 near Polychrome Pass due to a landslide. The road has remained closed since. View the NPS News Release – Road Closure.
- On October 14, 2021 the National Park announced that about half of the road would remain closed for the 2022 visitor season while a permanent bridge is constructed over the slide area. View the NPS News Release – Pretty Rocks Bridge.
- On May 24, 2023 the park service announced construction delays, with a new anticipated completion year of 2026. View the NPS News Release – Polychrome Area Plan.
We anticipate this closure will extend through the 2026 visitor season. While travel to Denali National Park currently operates differently, it is important to note that Denali remains open to visitors and buses will continue to provide access to mile 43 (read more about the Denali Park Road experience, and what our travelers typically experience for when the road reopens).
Travelers will continue to have access to great wildlife viewing, views of Denali, front country trails, and backcountry hiking and camping. Most travelers to Denali should not have their experience greatly impacted by the road closure. AdventureSmith travelers who stay in Kantishna have a more exclusive experience, due to the mandatory fly-in access.
When to Go – The Best Time to Visit Denali National Park
Summer is short in Alaska’s interior, and thus most of the the national park services and lodges are only open June through mid-September. Keep this in mind if you are trying to pair your trip to Denali National Park with an Alaska small ship cruise.
Summer days are long with 20 hours of sunlight on summer solstice (June 21). Visiting Denali National Park in June may seem “early” for the summer crowds, but there is truly no “shoulder” or “low” tourism summer month here. All three months of summer are packed full of intense activities for wildlife and visitors alike, so when to visit Denali depends a lot on your travel group and preferences.
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If you’re trying to determine when to visit Denali, here are some considerations:
- Spring is brief with the tundra turning from brown to green in a matter of days, but this is the time to visit Denali if you are seeking to see the most snow on the mountaintops.
- In early June wildflowers begin to bloom and provide color until late July.
- Mosquitos are active in early summer, dissipating by early August, so very early season or mid-August to September may be the best time to visit Denali National Park if you wish to avoid mosquitos.
- Animals are active all summer, squeezing a year’s worth of living and eating before the onset of another cold winter.
- Fall comes early and by mid- to late-August the tundra turns brilliant red, orange and yellow.
- September is the best time to visit Denali if you wish to see the northern lights since at this time of year the night sky will actually be dark enough to spot them.
Learn the best time to visit Alaska with a more detailed account of seasonality in other locations.
Timing Your Denali Trip
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. High (F) | 10 | 16 | 25 | 39 | 53 | 64 | 66 | 61 | 51 | 32 | 18 | 11 |
| Avg. Low (F) | -1 | -5 | 1 | 15 | 29 | 39 | 43 | 38 | 31 | 14 | 1 | -6 |
| Avg. Rain |
4.3 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 5.4 | 7.2 | 7.9 | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Avg. Day |
7 | 9 | 12 | 14.5 | 17.5 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 11.5 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
How Long to Stay in Denali National Park?
My recommendation on how long to stay in Denali National Park is to spend at least 3 nights, preferably in Kantishna, in order to truly explore this massive park.
It is not possible to visit Denali in 1 day, unless you are simply flying over it. Many tours visiting the park entrance will spend as few as 2 nights, but even this only allows for 1 full day of exploration, usually on a bus. If the trip from Anchorage to Kantishna is too long of a travel day for you, consider adding one day at the park entrance. This way you can enjoy the park entrance while also appreciating the solitude of the park’s interior.
Book Your Trip to Denali National Park
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading how to visit Denali National Park. If you’re ready to go, let our experts be your guide from this research stage to booking your Denali National Park vacation. Our philosophy on travel to Denali National Park is to venture beyond the roads and rails to explore true Alaskan wilderness. Our touring Denali ethos therefore means spending a little more time and money to avoid tourist crowds and actively experience the true wilderness of Alaska.
We believe folks visit Denali Park not only for the incredible scenery, amazing wildlife and quiet solitude, but also to learn from experienced guides and return home as ambassadors for these wild lands. All of our Denali vacation options are designed with this focus in mind. Let us help you select, book and prepare for the best tour in Denali National Park for you.
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Have questions about visiting Denali National Park? Use the comments below to ask our experts and improve this post. If you are ready to begin planning your Denali visit or another Alaska national park tour with AdventureSmith Explorations please contact us.
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Traveling with my two kids (20,15) by car would like to visit for 1-3 days; just wanted to see if I need a pass and make sure private vehicles are granted access; thank you
Hello, Private vehicles are not allowed on the Denali Park Road past the Savage River Check Station at mile 15. To proceed further into the park, you’ll need to be on a bus, bicycle or on foot. There are several types of free and narrated bus tours available. You can find details on the NPS website. To experience authentic Alaska, we feel it is best to travel beyond the roads and rails and into the wilderness. Most of our Alaska land tours are suitable or families or take a peek at our Alaska family cruises. Contact us if you’d like to enjoy a new style of of Alaska travel.