Denali National Park
A vast Alaskan wilderness around the highest peak in North America - grizzlies, caribou and tundra along a single road into the wild.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Denali protects a huge slice of the Alaskan interior around Denali itself, at over six thousand metres the highest mountain in North America. A single road leads into the wilderness of tundra, taiga and braided rivers, roamed by grizzlies, caribou, moose, wolves and Dall sheep, seen mostly from the park bus rather than a private car.
What you actually see
- Denali - the great peak, when the clouds clear to reveal it.
- The park road and bus - the wilderness road ridden by shuttle to spot wildlife.
- The big five - grizzly, caribou, moose, wolf and Dall sheep.
- Tundra and taiga - the vast subarctic landscape, ablaze in autumn.
When to go
The short summer from June to early September, when the road, buses and services run; the season is brief and the far interior harsh outside it. Late August brings autumn colour to the tundra.
Honest expectations
Private vehicles are limited on the park road, so seeing the interior means riding the shuttle bus for many hours. The mountain is often hidden by cloud, so a clear view of Denali is a matter of luck. Part of the road has been closed by a landslide, so check current access.
Nearby
Anchorage and Fairbanks are the gateway cities; the wider Alaskan interior spreads around.
What to pack for Denali National Park
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
