Denali National Park & Preserve

About Denali

Denali is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelers along it see the relatively low-elevation taiga forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America's tallest peak, 20,310' Mount McKinley. Wild animals large and small roam un-fenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await.

Hours

Entrance fees

An America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee at every site that charges one.

Getting there

You can drive to Denali from Anchorage or Fairbanks, along Highway 3, which is known as the "George Parks Highway." Fairbanks is about 2 hours north, while Anchorage is 5 hours south of the Denali entrance. You can also reach Denali from either city via the Alaska Railroad, which is operated by the State of Alaska.

Weather

Summer is typically cool and wet, with highs typically in the upper 50s to low 60s, and lows in the 40s. On occasion, summer highs reach the low 80s, though this is rare. Snow can fall any month of the year, so be prepared for chilly weather even in summer. Fall colors emerge on the alpine tundra in August and in the low valleys in early September. Winter generally starts in mid-September, with temps often getting down to -40 by January. Spring is a short season in April / May, with highs above freezing.

Things to do

Arts and Culture, Astronomy, Backcountry Camping, Backcountry Hiking, Biking, Bookstore and Park Store, Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour, Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Climbing, Cross-Country Skiing, Dog Sledding, Fishing, Flying, Food, Front-Country Hiking, Gathering and Foraging, Group Camping, Guided Tours, Hiking, Hunting, Hunting and Gathering, Junior Ranger Program, Mountain Climbing, Off-Trail Permitted Hiking, Park Film, RV Camping, Shopping, Skiing, Snow Play, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing, Stargazing, Wildlife Watching.