Hi there! Are you ready to plan an enchanting trip to Denali National Park?! Explore the pristine and breathtaking wilderness that surrounds the tallest mountain in North America! You are sure to find something here that everyone in your group will LOVE.
Denali is a place you will never forget — and likely somewhere you will talk about for years to come. Phenomenal wildlife, meandering rivers, and an exhilarating massive mountain make this park the perfect backdrop for your next adventure. This incredible place will leave you speechless!
There is so much to do. You may have already looked at a map and been a little overwhelmed — and eager — to make sure that you don’t miss the best sights.
I’m a former park ranger, and I’ll help you plan your vacation down to the details. I’ve extensively explored Denali and am here to help! Whether this is your first time to Denali National Park, or if you are returning after many years and would like to be reintroduced to the park, this list of 10 things is for you.
What You Need to Know About Denali
- Don’t miss out on anything during your trip! For the best experience, get an early start to your day and have a solid plan.
- Lodging is available on private land within Denali National Park or just outside of the park entrance. To learn more about your options, click here.
- As the highest peak in North America, Denali stands tall at 20,310 feet above sea level. This mountain is so large it creates its own weather, so it is not uncommon for the mountain to be entirely invisible behind a blanket of clouds. Only 30% of people who visit the park actually see the mountain!
- Preparation is key! The weather in this park can change at any moment. You never know when you’ll walk around a bend and come upon a moose or bear. Bushwhacking and stream crossings are common while exploring. Come with the right gear and learn more about wilderness safety before you arrive.
- There are very few maintained hiking trails in this park, so you don’t want to be caught hiking without a map if you plan to explore the backcountry. This is the map I use and recommend for Denali National Park.
I’ll make sure that you don’t miss the sights that make this park so famous, but I also want to provide a few treasures that are off-the-beaten-path as well. Let the adventure begin!
Click NEXT to see this exciting list of 10 things you can’t miss on your first visit to Denali National Park!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that (at no extra cost to you) I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase. I only recommend products that I personally love, and I appreciate your support and welcome any questions you may have about any products featured on my site. Thanks! Ash
As an update, North Face Lodge is no longer open. In addition, the park road was closed on August 27th at Pretty Rocks to all traffic including the buses. Lodges at Kantishna closed for the season as a result. Word is the road will not reopen any sooner than 2023. Kantishna properties will have to decide if they can operate based solely on fly-in customers and supplies. We left the Kantishna Roadhouse on August 25th.
Yes, a lot of changes will have to be made due to that road closure. Glad you were able to get out there this year!
Do you have any suggestions on hikes or viewpoints near mile 42 where the buses have to turn around, that would give views of Mt. McKinley? I read of Thorofare ridge and wonderlake but they are not accessible.
Hey Sid, I haven’t done any hiking around that turnaround spot, so I’m not sure. You can get views of Denali from the Mountain Vista Trail in the park (near Savage River) on a clear day. You might also want to drive down to Denali State Park and visit the North and South Denali Viewpoints there. That highway from Denali National Park to Trapper Creek/Talkeetna has some awesome views of the mountain on a clear day!
I’m guessing that mosquitos are decreased, as well as rivers, the longer the summer goes on? So maybe a preferred time to visit is late August or early September if I’m concerned about mosquitos and potentially crossing backcountry rivers? Also, is it *that* much colder then compared to the peak of summer? Thanks!
Denali just got snow a few days ago! Also, the mountain is often clouded over a lot more later in the summer, so if you’re hoping to see Denali, a visit in June makes more sense. But you’re right, the rivers will likely be higher and the mosquitos can be really bad that time of year.
Hello!
I love the information on here, this is amazing! I am going to be in Denali Late august, Early September. There is so much to do and we are staying 4 days in Lake Teklanika campground. I was wondering if you could tell me how to get around? I would like to do some hiking around that area. Also, are there shuttles there? it would be nice to be able to see more, but it’s unclear as to whether or not we can get transit there. What would you recommend for a 4 day trip for your first time in Denali.
Thank you for the help!
There is a park bus that you’ll need to purchase tickets for (look for the Tek Pass). You won’t be able to drive your own vehicle beyond the campground, so you’ll want to take the bus if you’re hoping to go further into the park. Have fun!
Thank you so much for this site. I’ve just booked 3 nights in Denali but am bummed to see the free shuttle busses are not operating due to COVID. We are staying those three nights at the Denali Park Village and are getting to the park via train after spending the night in Talkeetna and getting a K2 plane trip the day prior. We are fit and love day hikes but are definitely not rugged hikers who are in to backpacking overnight. Will we still be able to access good ones given the lack of shuttles? Any information or insight you can provide would be appreciated.
Oh I should mention, we will be there from July 29 to August 1.
Most hotels in the area run complimentary shuttles to the park. You can find several hiking trails from the visitor center area, such as Horseshoe Lake, Healy Overlook, Triple Lakes, and McKinley Station. You can also walk to the sled dog kennels. Beyond that, you’ll want to book a bus into the interior of the park…you wouldn’t be able to drive your own car along the entire park road even if you had one with you. If you don’t want to book a full-on tour, you can book a transit bus for much cheaper that follows the same route as the tours. I recommend getting to Eielson at least!
Thank you so much for the advice.
Busses are already completely booked….
Check back for cancellations, but yes, they are running at lower capacities this year and are nearly all booked up.
Transit buses aren’t running summer of 2021 due to covid. I too am trying to figure out how to enjoy Denali. The ONLY bus available is the Tundra tour bus, $169+ a person. Holy smokes.
Hey Carrie, I actually just got back from Denali yesterday and they are running transit buses this year! But many of them have already been booked up for the season.
Transit busses are running this year just fly booked. Check daily for cancelations though. And supposedly adding 2 busses daily that can be booked 48- hours ahead so with some luck you might snag one.
I will be taking the train from Fairbanks to Denali on Sunday June 13th and then back to Fairbanks on the 4pm train the same day. Looking for things to do within walking distance during the 4 hour period between trains. Any ideas are greatly appreciated
You’ll find a few trails near the train station/visitor center. I recommend Horseshoe Lake, Mount Healy Overlook, McKinley Station, or the Rock Creek Trail to the Sled Dog Kennels. I like this map for trails/walking paths in that area: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/upload/trail-map-letter-size.pdf Have fun!
Hi! Thanks for the great info. We just scored a timed entry permit that will allow us to drive to mile 30 with our own car, yay! Due to the limits this year with tours and shuttles, we are super happy to have found this option. We will be visiting June 14th. Any recommendations on the best way to spend the day?
I’d drive the road, then when you’ve finished that, head to the park entrance area and hike Horseshoe Lake or Mt. Healy Overlook and visit the sled dog kennels!
We will be at Denali in June 28-July 2. What are the mosquitos like during this time? We went in July about 8 years ago and didn’t see many at all. I’ve heard that they are quite bad in June.
Thanks so much!
They usually are quite bad at that time, and I never go to Alaska in the summer without being totally prepared for the mosquito situation no matter the month. When I worked in Denali, I used those funny head nets in the backcountry all the time — they were a lifesaver haha. But you’ll definitely want some long-sleeved shirts, deet bug spray, and possibly even the head nets (they are only a couple of bucks and will really help if it’s bad). Have fun!
Are you available to hire for a guided tour? We are staying in Denali state park from Friday May 21st to Monday May 24th.
I don’t offer guided tours, but thank you for thinking of me!
Hi,
Planning to visit Denali 1st week of March. We plan to drive inside Denali. I understand that driving is limited. Considering the weather, what places do you recommend we visit?
You likely won’t be able to drive past Savage River in March. You can find more information on visiting in winter here: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/winter-activities.htm Have fun!
Thank you for the two stickers! I’m be always loved your itineraries (Grand Canyon, Yosemite, & Glacier are my favorites). I’m taking 28 to Alaska next July. We’d like to hike and overnight in Denali. Can you suggest anything? We’ll spend two weeks (1 week south of Anchorage and one week around Denali). Thoughts?
Wow!! I’m not sure if you mean that you’d like to backcountry camp, but I don’t know of any unit that will allow a group of 28. So you’ll probably be better off camping in one of the park campgrounds and then completing some day hikes. I also definitely recommend taking the bus out to Wonder Lake. It makes for a long day, but the scenery and wildlife viewing is phenomenal. Have fun!
Loved the details. I got excited about Denali and then reading some comments from some tourists got a bit demotivated. This article put me back where I was. Thank you.
Denali is amazing! I spent 4 months there and still am dying to go back. You’re going to LOVE it. Have a great time!
Hi we are leaving in about 30 days for a land and cruise. Want to go all the way to the end and want to see Wonder Lake. Should we do the shuttle or the narrarated bus tour- we want to get off and go to the lake.
Also is this the best use of our time with day and a half in Denali?
Yeah, I definitely think you should try to take the bus out as far as you can. The narrated bus tours don’t typically let you get off and wander around…they just take short breaks at some of the viewpoints. The transit bus will likely be your best option. Have fun!
hi, travelling to Alaska for the first time. Will be travelling with a 3 year old kid and my mom who cant walk long distances. what activities (hikes etc) would you recommend that are not too physically demanding?
Most of the activities on this list are family-friendly! I’d just choose the ones that sound doable based on your family’s abilities. Have fun!
Hello,
Your blog is great!
I want to hike in the backcountry with my wife and two daughters (10 and 12). For a week. In early Augustly. We are used to backpacking, generally with light non-waterproof hiking shoes, in the southeast US. Would you recommend waterproof hiking boots for the backcountry, or will it be warm enough that our shoes will dry out? Or, if they won’t dry out, won’t waterproof shoes then be wet longer, for the whole trip. While mesh-ier shoes may be more comfortable?
Thanks for your thoughts!
Steve
I’d hike with waterproof over the ankle boots if you can. It can get mucky back in there, and mesh shoes won’t give you any protection against the terrain. Your shoes may not completely dry out, so having a few pairs of good hiking socks will make a big difference. Have fun!
My friend and I are arriving early June to the park. We are on a budget. Family members have told us not to book excursions through our cruise line. They recommended crossing the road from the lodge to the Ranger station? We have been told we can do the same things for free. I don’t want to get there and find out it isn’t that simple. Any advice?
It really depends on the type of excursion, but some do sell out so if you have your heart set on one, I’d book it in advance. If you don’t go through the cruise line and decide to book on your own, just be sure the times match up with the schedule you need to keep. Have fun!
Planning a trip to Denali the last week of June 2019. We will be staying in the Teklanika River Campground. Which trails would you recommend from that location?
I’d talk to the rangers! From the Tek, most “trails” are ones that you create yourself… there are tons of options to explore out there!
We are planning a land tour as part of a cruise in June. The land tour includes a 6-8 hour sightseeing excursion in Denali. We are debating spending an extra day in the park. Besides hiking what is there to do and will our excursion be enough as far as us seeing the park?
If the excursion is the bus tour through the park, you’ll get a good overview of what the park is about. There are some nice hiking trails near the entrance, but you can’t see the mountain from there, so if you’re only there for one day be sure it will take you deeper into the park!
Hi, This was great information on Denali. We will be coming at the end of June 2019 and we plan on staying inside the park at the Kantishna Roadhouse. I am confused on how you get around in the park, once we are at the lodge to get to any of these hikes. Is there any insight to this you can provide that will help us plan our 1 full day starting way down inside the park? We want to make sure we get the most out of our stay inside the park. Thanks
If you’re staying in Kantishna, I wouldn’t try to get to the hikes at the park entrance…that’s a really long bus ride. The fun thing about staying all the way out in Kantishna is being so deep into the park that you are on a true adventure! The Wonder Lake area is a great place to explore if you’re staying out there. The lodge will also have some excellent recommendations for making the most of your day. Only if you have some extra time before or after your stay in Kantishna would I recommend trying to get to some of the other hikes listed here near the entrance/visitor center.
Have a great trip!
Hi Ash,
My Husband and I are planning our first trip to Denali. Could you tell us which lodging has the best views. Can the Aurora be seen in mid September. We will be celebrating our 34th Anniversary when we go. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. P.S Which city is better Anchorage or Fairbanks? Sorry so many questions.
The lodging options just outside of the park entrance don’t have views of Denali, but some do have nice views of the river and surrounding hills. You can usually see the aurora in mid-September :) As for Anchorage vs. Fairbanks, it really depends on what you plan to do and what kind of things are important to you. Fairbanks is closer to Denali though so if that’s important to you then I’d go there. Feel free to email me at ash{at}dirtinmyshoes{dot}com if you need more info.
And Happy Anniversary! I can’t think of a better place to celebrate!
I’m planning my very first visit in Alaskathere arriving September 3. Flying from Singapore. Hoping to get a backcountry permit. The official website says “the more effort your group invests in planning your trip, the larger the reward.”
But its kind of hard to plan when there’s so little information I could find. It seems that I would have to choose certain units ( plots of land ) but which ares are the best? I have absolutely no idea. All I see is a grid so are there certain squares that all totally boring and are there some exceptionally beautiful areas?
Any advice on this would be an immense help.
Also if you have any advice in general it would be absolutely welcome !
It does get pretty confusing and the possibilities probably seem endless :) Check out this site: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/backpacking-guide.htm and scroll to the bottom. It has all the units listed and you can click on each one individually to learn more about what it is/see photos/learn possible routes/find what to expect. Then you just pick one that looks like it matches your skills/experience level and try to snag the permit for it.
Have fun!
Was wondering if there are fewer mosquitoes in May as opposed to August. I’m still deciding when to go. Maybe foliage is nicer in August? Thanks. P.S. I am in my early 70s and in good health.
In addition to dealing with less mosquitoes, you’ll also have a much better chance at seeing the mountain in May. Because Denali is so large and high, it can create it’s own weather and in August it is often covered in clouds. I’d go in May :)
Does the park distribute bear safe canisters for hiking?
They do if you’re backpacking, but not if you’re just dayhiking {as far as I know….you may be able to get one just for the day depending on the ranger you talk to}.
Hi Dirt in my shoes!
Thanks for the information. I was wondering how far of a hike is it to wonder lakes? If you happen to know the elevation gain and how long is the bus ride?
Thanks
Frank
The bus ride is around 11 hours roundtrip to get to Wonder Lake and back. Once you get off the bus, it’s just a short hike to the lakeshore and campground with hardly any elevation gain.
Thanks for your insight. I’ll be working near Denali this summer and I can’t wait!
Have a great time!!!
Thank you for the excellent directions and suggestions. We are visiting Denali for a few days following a cruise this summer and have been meticulously planning each day. Your post has the most detail and usable information of any that I’ve seen.
Thank you so much! Have a great time in Denali and let me know if you have any questions!