|
Sponsored National Park Search |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Visitor Centers
| Dates | Hours | Phone | Location | Available Facilities |
| 26 Apr 23 May Closes 15 Sep |
10:00 am - 4:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm |
907-683-2294 | near the Park Entrance | The Visitor Center offers information and has a small bookstore. A 12 minute slide program is shown several times throughout the day. Additionally, rangers present programs at 11:00 am and 6:30 pm starting 8 Jun. |
| Dates | Hours | Location |
| 01 Jun Closes 15 Sep |
9:00 am - 7:00 pm reduced hours in Sep |
Approximately 62 miles from Park Headquarters on Park Road |
General Information
Denali is open year round. By April you can drive to mile 15, and by May you can drive to mile 30, Teklanika. Private vehicle use stops prior to Memorial Day Weekend, after which you have to take the shuttle bus into the park. The park road is open from Memorial Day weekend to mid-September if weather allows.
When the road closes for wheeled vehicles due to winter conditions, crosscountry skis, snowshoes or dog sleds are ways to access the interior wilderness portion of the park from park headquarters. Snow machines can access 1980 park and preserve lands only. You must have your own equipment.
The primary visitation season runs from 01 May to 15 September. Visitation is lowest in winter months.
Denali National Park and Preserve features North America's highest mountain, Mount McKinley at 20,320 feet. The Alaska Range also includes countless other spectacular mountains and many large glaciers. Denali's more than 6 million acres also encompass a complete sub arctic ecosystem with large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and moose.
Today the park accommodates a wide variety of visitor use including wildlife viewing, mountaineering, and backpacking. It continues to provide a laboratory for research in the natural sciences.
Touring the Park Road by bus, attending ranger-naturalist programs, mountaineering (advanced registration required), day hiking, backcountry camping (permit required), skiing and dog mushing (winter only) are some of the activities available.
Join a National Park Service Ranger or Naturalist to explore Denali's natural and cultural history. Join a ranger to learn about the forces that once shaped this landscape, and continue to do so. Ranger / Naturalist programs include scheduled campfire programs, demonstrations, hikes, talks and walks. These are just some of the ways to discover the diversity of the scenic, natural and historic wonders that comprise Denali National Park. Interpretive programs usually end around the middle of September.
Junior Ranger Program
As in other National Parks, Denali has a Junior Ranger Program for youth ages 12 and under. The Junior Ranger Program really helps the youth get the most out of their visit to a National Park and to become involved as an official Junior Ranger and earn their patch.
Special Dates
First of December
Mail in and fax reservation service begins and continues through August 31 each operating year.
VTS
241 West Ship Creek Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
Fax: 1-907-264-4684
End of February
Phone reservation service begins. 1-800-622-7275 nationwide, 1-907-272-7275 International and Anchorage area callers
End of May through the middle of September
The shuttle buses will be operating
Road Lottery
July 01 - 31 - Lottery Mail In Dates
There is an annual road lottery each fall. In September, the park service allows 400 cars to drive the length of the park road a few days each September. Following the lottery, mid September, you may be able to drive to mile 30 until snow flies and the road closes for the winter.
Road Lottery applications are accepted by mail during the month of July. To apply for a road travel permit, you need to submit your name, address, choice of dates in preferential order and include a self addressed stamped envelope. Mail between 01 Jul and 31 Jul. Only one entry per person will be accepted.
Write to:
Road Lottery
Denali National Park
PO Box 9
Denali NP, AK 99755
or
Call: 907-683-2294 for details.
Ranger Led Activities
| Program | Begin Date | Description |
| Variety of Programs | 24 May | Rangers interpret a wide variety of park-related themes in a 45 minute program. Many programs are illustrated with slides. Check at the Visitor Center for meeting place. |
| Campground Programs | Early June | Learn about anything from grizzlies to glaciers to wolves during informal 30 to 45 minute programs |
| Kennels Hike | 07 June | Learn the two meanings of the word "hike" here in Denali National Park. This moderate 2.5 mile hike is along the Rock Creek Trail from the Park Hotel to the Denali Kennels. You'll arrive in time for the 4:00 pm Sled Dog Demonstration. Ride the free shuttle bus back or hike the returning trip on your own. Check at the Visitor Center for meeting place. |
| Sled Dog Demonstration | 07 June | Rangers and dogs work together to demonstrate a traditional Alaskan mode of travel. These unique 30 minute programs include an opportunity to tour the park kennels and visit Denali's Alaskan Huskies. Free buses leave the visitor center and the bus shelter at Riley Creek Campgrounds approximately .5 hour before each demonstration. No parking is available near the kennels |
| Horseshoe Lake Walk | 08 June | Explore this jewel of a lake in an oxbow of the Nenana River. It is an easy to moderate three mile walk rewarded by spectacular views and signs of wildlife. Check at the Visitor Center for meeting place. |
| Tundra Walk | 08 June | Meet at Eielson Visitor Center for this easy 30 to 60 minute walk. Explore the fascinating array of miniature tundra plants carpeting the low slopes in Denali's shadow. |
| Mount Healy Hike | 09 June | Moderate two mile hike to a scenic vista (bench area) on the low slopes of Mount Healy. Check at the Visitor Center for meeting place. |
| Discovery Hike | 14 June | Moderate to moderately strenuous 3 to 4 hour hikes in the backcountry wilderness of Denali. Expect uneven terrain, no trails and small stream crossings. Hikers must wear sturdy hiking boots and carry rain gear, food and water. Locations change daily. Mandatory sign-up 1 to 2 days in advance at the main visitor center. Bus tickets to purchase are withheld for participants upon sign-up (only until night before hike), or you may use an advanced reservation ticket (you still need to sign up for the hike). |
Copyright © 1995 - 2007 Hillclimb Media
This site is in no way associated with the United States Government, the Department of the Interior or the National Park Service
