With over 6 million acres to explore of wilderness, you'll see wild animals galore both big and small that roam free. From its relatively low-elevation taiga forests to the peak of North America's tallest mountain at 23,010' above sea level. Solitude, quiet, and expansiveness await you!
Current Park Alerts
Live from the National Park Service · Official park site →
Plan Your Visit
Hours & Season
Denali is open 24-hours a day, although services are limited after-hours (generally after 4 pm in winter or 6 pm in summer). There is no gate at the park entrance. Please note that camping is only possible either in designated campgrounds (with a valid reservation) or in the rest of the park with a free backpacking permit.
Entrance Fees
- $15 – Entrance - Per Person
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
Sightsee on a Denali Tour Bus
Reservation requiredSummer sight-seeing in Denali is mainly done by bus, and there are several trips to choose from. Narrated tour bus trips are more expensive than non-narrated transit buses. From high up in a bus, it becomes possible to look over roadside brush, allowing you to enjoy the incredible scenery (and wildlife sightings, too!).
Explore Mountain Vista & Savage River
While most of Denali’s sole road is restricted just to bus traffic, anybody can drive out to Mountain Vista and Savage River. Located about 15 miles inside the park, the area is scenic, featuring several trails (some short, one long) and a picnic area.
Hike a Short Trail From the Denali Visitor Center
At 6 million acres in size, Denali is incredibly vast, and hiking is possible almost anywhere in the park. However, there are only a handful of established trails in the park, and here you'll find a few suggestions for one or more short hikes from the Denali Visitor Center.
Explore Denali's Winter Trails
Whether on foot, skis or snowshoes, winter is a great time for you to explore Denali! Snow starts falling as early as September, although in some years the conditions aren't good for skiing until December, and it sticks around until April or May.
Bike the Denali Park Road
Biking the Denali Park Road is a rewarding way to explore the park at a slower speed than vehicles allow. Experience a variety of terrain over the course of just a few hours as you pedal from forested areas up to expansive views of the tundra, then coast back downhill towards a river.
Discover the Boreal Forest: Identify Plants While Hiking in Denali
Denali is home to a beautiful variety of plant species, from tall Aspen trees to short Moss campion. With a diversity of habitat types that support water-loving to drought-tolerant plants, Denali is an excellent place to immerse yourself in the subarctic flora. The DenaliFlora App is the perfect companion for your botanical explorations.
Getting There
Address: Mile 237 Highway 3 Denali Park AK 99755
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.
Get driving directions → Official NPS directions →Where to Stay – Campgrounds
Igloo Creek
7 sites · $25.25/night
The campground is at mile 35 on the Park Road. It offers 7 sites, making it the smallest in Denali (along with Sanctuary River Campground, which also has 7 sit…
Riley Creek
142 sites · Free
Riley Creek is a fairly wooded campground, with some screening between sites whenever possible. Most of the campground sites are open to either tent campers or…
Sanctuary River
7 sites · $25.25/night
Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Sanctuary River is a heavily wooded campground, with screening between most sites. The immediate area is brushy,…
Savage River
32 sites · $49.25/night
Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Savage River campground is located at Mile 13 on the Denali Park Road. It sits in a spruce forest, with moderate…
Teklanika River
53 sites · $40.25/night
Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Though nearly all private vehicles must turn around at mile 15, Savage River, Tek campers are an exception to th…
Wonder Lake
28 sites · $9.50/night
Wonder Lake Campground is closed until further notice. Wonder Lake Campground is at mile 85 on the Denali Park Road. It offers 28 tent-only sites. This is the …
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter Denali National Park?
The entrance fee for Denali National Park is $15. See Plan Your Visit above for vehicle, per-person, and annual-pass rates.
Do I need a reservation or permit to visit Denali National Park?
Some entry windows or activities at Denali National Park require a reservation or permit. Check the Current Park Alerts and Things to Do sections above, and confirm on the official NPS site before you go.
When is Denali National Park open?
Denali is open 24-hours a day, although services are limited after-hours (generally after 4 pm in winter or 6 pm in summer). There is no gate at the park entrance. Please note that camping is only possible either in designated campgrounds (with a valid reservation) or in the rest of the park with a free backpacking permit.
What are the best things to do in Denali National Park?
Popular things to do in Denali National Park include Sightsee on a Denali Tour Bus, Explore Mountain Vista & Savage River, Hike a Short Trail From the Denali Visitor Center, Explore Denali's Winter Trails. See Things to Do above for photos and details.
Are there campgrounds in Denali National Park?
Yes — Denali National Park has 6 campgrounds, including Igloo Creek, Riley Creek, Sanctuary River. See Campgrounds above for site counts, fees, and booking links.