About Denali National Park & Preserve
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.
Quick Facts
Entrance Fees
Denali charges an entrance fee year-round. Youth age 15 or younger are free. For people age 16 or older, the $15 entrance fee provides a 7-day entrance permit. Be prepared to show your receipt or pass (digital or physical) if requested by park staff.
Operating Hours
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.
Activities
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Entrance Passes
The Denali Annual Pass covers up to four adults. You may purchase it online or in person at the park.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Sightsee on a Denali Tour Bus
Summer sight-seeing in Denali is mainly done by bus, and there are several trips to choose from. Narrated tour bus…
On a narrated tour bus, your driver is a trained naturalist who will share stories about the natural and cultural…
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…
While hiking is a main attraction at the Savage River area, there is plenty of scenery to enjoy even from…
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,…
The trails suggested here are all in the front-country of Denali.
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…
You'll find various winter trails in Denali that are good for skiing, snowshoeing, or just hiking on foot. We have…
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.…
If you choose to ride on the first 15 miles of the road, you'll be on pavement. If you cycle…
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…
Visitor Centers
Denali Bus Depot
This summer facility is operated by our concessionaire rather than by the National Park Service. It is the primary place to buy bus tickets, arrange…
Hours: Open: May 20 through mid-September each year (closing date varies). Daily hours: 5 am to 7 pm for coffee service, bus loading, ticket sales, and pre-booked bus and campground reservation check-ins.
Denali Visitor Center
Open in summer only, this is the main visitor center near the park entrance. During the summer, you can explore exhibits, watch the park film,…
Hours: The Denali Visitor Center is open in summer only, from early May through late September. Full summer hours are in effect June through August. Hours are slightly reduced in May and September.
Eielson Visitor Center
The Eielson Visitor Center is located at Mile 66 of the Denali Park Road. Due to the ongoing Pretty Rocks landslide and the closure of…
Hours: Currently closed due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide.
Indoor Picnic Area
A heated building, called the Indoor Picnic Area, is located next door to the Murie Science and Learning Center. Open in winter only, mid-October to…
Hours: The Indoor Picnic Area is open to visitors in the winter, from 9:30 am to 5 pm daily, except on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day). NPS staff are not present.
Murie Science and Learning Center
The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) is located at Mile 1.3 of the Denali Park Road at the entrance of Denali National Park and…
Hours: The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm during the winter season, except on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day). A heated building, called the Indoor Picnic Area, is located next door to the MSLC. The Indoor Picnic Area is open daily 9:30 am to 5 pm from mid-October through April 20, except on major holidays. In summer, the MSLC is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station
Located in the town of Talkeetna, about 100 miles south of the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, this ranger station serves as the…
Hours: Throughout the main summer season (April 13 to mid-September), the ranger station is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. Hours are limited and vary in fall, winter, and spring. Call to speak with a ranger about visiting during winter months.
Campgrounds
Igloo Creek
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,…
Riley Creek
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…
Sanctuary River
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
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…
Teklanika River
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…
Wonder Lake
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.…
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