Denali National Park is one of Alaska's most well-known destinations and a place we recommend including if you have enough time to explore the Interior. If you're only visiting Alaska for a few days, we'd recommend focusing on destinations closer to Anchorage, but if you have a longer trip, Denali is well worth adding to your itinerary. The park is known for its wide-open landscapes, mountain scenery, and abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, and wolves. It is also home toDenali, the highest mountain in North America, rising 20,310 feet above sea level.

One quick note about the name “Denali”: In this guide, we're referring to both Denali National Park and the surrounding Denali area. The national park is where you'll find the Park Road, wildlife, hiking trails, and Denali itself, while the area just outside the park is where you'll find most hotels, restaurants, and many of the activities available to visitors. Since you'll likely spend time in both, we've included them together in this guide.

Denali is different from many other national parks because there is only one road through the park, and access is limited for private vehicles. Most visitors explore the park by bus or through one of the guided activities available in the area. Because of this, a visit to Denali takes a little more planning than simply driving into a park and exploring on your own.

We've spent a lot of time in Denali and have helped many of our clients plan their time here. In this guide, we'll share our recommendations for things to do in Denali, how many days we suggest spending in the area, where to stay and eat, and what to know before you visit.

Read on to find out more:

Getting to Denali National Park
Things to do in Denali National Park
How Many Days Do You Need in Denali National Park?
How We'd Spend a Few Days in Denali
Things to Know Before Visiting Denali National Park
Best Time to Visit Denali
Where to Eat and Stay in Denali

Getting to Denali National Park

Denali National Park is located about 240 miles north of Anchorage and 125 miles south of Fairbanks. Most of our clients reach Denali by car, and we generally recommend driving. Having your own car gives you more flexibility to make stops along the way and explore the area around the park.

You can also reach Denali by train during the summer. The Alaska Railroad operates seasonal service between Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks. If you're traveling without a car, many hotels and lodges in the Denali area offer transportation to and from the train depot, so it's worth checking this when choosing where to stay.

There are also seasonal motorcoach services connecting Denali with Anchorage and Fairbanks, which can be a convenient option if you prefer not to drive.

Things to Do in Denali

Explore Denali National Park

Even if you don't have a full day to spend on a bus or hike, it's worth taking some time to explore the area around the park entrance. Stop by the Denali Visitor Center to learn more about the park and get an idea of current conditions, then take a walk on one of the nearby maintained trails.

If you have a car, you can also drive the section of the Park Road that is open to private vehicles, generally the first 15 miles. The Savage River area is a good place to stop for a walk, enjoy the scenery, and keep an eye out for wildlife.

The park entrance area is also where you'll find several trails, the sled dog kennels, and access to the park's bus system. You don't need to travel deep into the park to get a feel for Denali—some of the trails and experiences we recommend are actually located near the entrance.

Take a Park Bus

One of the best ways to experience Denali National Park is by traveling along the Park Road by bus. Private vehicles are restricted beyond the area near the park entrance, so taking a park bus is the primary way to travel deeper into the park and experience its landscapes and wildlife.

The buses allow you to enjoy the scenery without having to navigate the narrow Park Road yourself, and drivers will often stop when wildlife is spotted. Depending on the route and current road access, you may see grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves, along with views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

There are several bus options available in Denali, including the East Fork Transit Bus, Tundra Wilderness Tour, and Denali Natural History Tour. The options, routes, and schedules can change from year to year, particularly while work continues on the Park Road.

For most of our clients, we recommend the East Fork Transit Bus. Unlike the narrated tours, transit buses give you more flexibility to explore the park at your own pace. You can get off the bus to hike or spend more time in an area, then catch a later bus when you're ready to continue. For travelers who want a bit more independence and flexibility, we think this is the best choice.

The Tundra Wilderness Tour is a good option if you'd prefer a narrated experience. The driver shares information about the park and will stop when wildlife is spotted along the road. The Denali Natural History Tour focuses more on the history of the area, with stops such as one of the original ranger cabins and information about Alaska Native history, geology, and wildlife.

The type of bus experience available can change from year to year, particularly while work continues on the Park Road. We recommend checking the National Park Service website for the current options and road access when planning your trip.

Look for Wildlife

Wildlife is one of the main reasons people visit Denali, and the park is home to Alaska's famous “Big Five”: grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves. You may also see smaller mammals and a wide variety of birds as you travel through the park.

Taking a park bus gives you some of the best opportunities to look for wildlife, as you're able to travel farther into the park while the drivers keep an eye out for animals along the road. That said, you don't necessarily have to take a bus to see wildlife. It's possible to spot animals along the first 15 miles of the Park Road, which is generally open to private vehicles. Keep an eye on the hillsides and open areas as you drive, and be prepared to stop safely if you spot something.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but that's part of what makes each visit different.

Bring binoculars if you have them. Many animals stay well away from the road, and binoculars can make it much easier to spot them on the hillsides and across the valleys.

Hike in Denali

Denali offers a wide range of hiking opportunities, from easy trails near the park entrance to more challenging hikes that take you farther into the wilderness. Unlike many national parks, Denali has relatively few developed trails, so hiking here can feel much more open and wild.

Near the park entrance, you can explore trails such as the Horseshoe Lake Trail, Savage River area trails, and Mount Healy Overlook Trail. For a more adventurous experience, you can join a guided Discovery Hike, where you'll leave the established trails and explore the landscape with a park ranger. The Denali National Park website provides detailed information about the hiking trails in the park.

One thing that can be confusing about hiking in Denali is that many of the trails we recommend are actually near the park entrance. Taking a bus farther into the park doesn't mean you'll find more established hiking trails. Beyond the developed areas, Denali is largely trail-less, and hikers can explore the landscape on their own rather than following a marked route. This can be an incredible way to experience the park, but it requires good preparation and an understanding of the terrain. For most of our clients, we recommend sticking to the marked trails maintained by the National Park Service, unless you're an experienced backcountry hiker with a clear plan and the skills to navigate safely without an established trail.

There are also guided hiking options offered by local companies if you'd prefer to explore with someone who knows the area. We recommend choosing a hike that matches your experience and comfort level, as conditions can change quickly in Denali. One local hiking company we often recommend is Northern Epics.

Visit the Sled Dog Kennels

Sled dogs have been an important part of Denali's history for decades, and the Denali Sled Dog Kennels are still home to working sled dogs used by the National Park Service. During the summer, visitors can attend free demonstrations where park rangers explain how the dogs are trained and cared for and how they help rangers travel through the park in winter.

The kennels are a great addition to your Denali visit, especially if you're interested in learning more about Alaska's sled-dog tradition. The demonstrations are free, but you'll need to plan around the daily demonstration schedule.

If you'd like to spend more time with sled dogs, you can also visit Husky Homestead, a private kennel run un by Iditarod champion Jeff King. Their guided experience focuses on sled dogs, racing, and life in Alaska.

Take an ATV Tour

If you'd like to explore some of the landscape outside the national park, an ATV tour can be a fun addition to your time in the Denali area. Denali ATV Adventures is a company we regularly work with that offers guided tours through the surrounding wilderness, with several options ranging from shorter to longer excursions.

This is a good choice if you're looking for something more active and hands-on, especially if you'd like to spend some time off the main roads and trails.

Take a Denali Flightseeing Tour

Flightseeing is another way to experience Denali and the Alaska Range from above. Small aircraft can take you over the mountains and glaciers, offering a perspective you simply can't get from the ground.

Flightseeing tours are available from the Denali area as well as Talkeetna. However, if flightseeing is a priority for your trip, we generally recommend taking a flight from Talkeetna, which is a particularly good departure point for exploring the Alaska Range and getting views of Denali.

If you're already spending time in the Denali area and don't plan to visit Talkeetna, a flightseeing tour from Denali can still be a great option. Weather and flight conditions can change quickly in the mountains, so flexibility is important when booking these tours.

For more information, see our guide to Denali Flightseeing Tours.

How Many Days Do You Need in Denali?

For most of our clients, we recommend spending two nights in the Denali area. This gives you enough time to take a park bus, go for a hike, and have some time to explore without making Denali take up too much of your Alaska itinerary.

When designing itineraries for our guests, we usually plan two or three nights in Denali. Two nights are enough for the main experiences, while an extra night gives you more flexibility to add another activity, take a longer hike, or just have a little more time to enjoy the area.

Denali has a lot to offer, but we don't think you need to spend a large portion of your Alaska trip here. Alaska is a huge state, and we recommend exploring many other destinations as well. For most travelers, two nights in Denali provides a good balance and leaves plenty of time to experience other parts of Alaska.

How We’d Spend a Few Days in Denali

If we had two nights in the Denali area, this is how we'd spend our time. It gives us a good mix of driving, wildlife viewing, hiking, and time in the park without trying to fit too much into a short stay.

Drive from Anchorage to Denali

We'd leave Anchorage in the morning and make a stop in Talkeetna for lunch before continuing north toward Denali. Once we arrive, we'd check into our accommodations and head to the park.

We'd start with a visit to the Denali Visitor Center to pick up our park pass and get a feel for what's happening during our visit. We'd then drive the first 15 miles of the Park Road, which is open to private vehicles, and keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. In the afternoon, we'd head to the Savage River area for a walk before returning to the Denali area for dinner. We'd either eat at one of the restaurants along the boardwalk or head to the restaurant at McKinley Creekside Cabins. Then we'd spend the night.

Take the East Fork Transit Bus

The next morning, we'd head back into the park and take the East Fork Transit Bus. We recommend this bus most often because of the flexibility it gives you. We'd spend the day traveling farther into the park, looking for wildlife, and enjoying the scenery. After returning, we'd stretch our legs with a hike on the Horseshoe Lake Trail. In the evening, we'd drive to Healy for dinner at 49th State Brewing before heading back to our hotel.

One more morning in Denali

On our final morning, we'd see how we're feeling and the weather before deciding what to do. If we wanted a little more time in the park, we'd go back for another walk or drive the open section of the Park Road to look for wildlife. Then we'd leave Denali and continue on to our next destination.

This is a fairly active couple of days, but we think it gives you a good introduction to Denali without spending too much of your Alaska itinerary in one place. If you have an extra night, you can slow things down or add another activity, but two nights is usually plenty for the way we plan Denali for our clients.

Things to Know Before Visiting Denali

Park Road access: Denali is different from many national parks because there is only one road through the park, and private vehicles are generally allowed only on the first 15 miles. To travel farther into the park, you'll need to take a park bus. Road access and bus routes can change, so check current conditions with the National Park Service before your visit.

Book ahead: Denali is a popular summer destination, and accommodations and popular bus tours can fill up well in advance. We recommend making your reservations as early as possible, especially if you have specific dates or want to take a narrated bus tour.

Weather: Weather in Denali can change quickly, and conditions in the Alaska Range can be difficult to predict. Even on a warm, sunny day, you may encounter cooler temperatures, wind, or rain. Bring layers, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable shoes, and consider packing a warm hat and gloves.

Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes can be part of the Denali experience, particularly during the summer. Bring insect repellent and consider wearing long pants and sleeves. A head net can also be useful if you're hiking or spending a lot of time outdoors.

Wildlife: Denali is home to bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, and many other animals. Always give wildlife plenty of space and never approach or feed an animal. If you're hiking away from developed areas, be especially aware of your surroundings and familiarize yourself with wilderness safety before you go.

Bring binoculars: Many of Denali's animals will be quite far from the road, so binoculars are one of the most useful things you can bring. If you're interested in photography, a telephoto lens also helps you photograph wildlife from a safe distance.

Hiking is different here: Don't expect a network of marked trails throughout the park. Most of the established trails are near the park entrance, while much of the backcountry is open and trail-less. If you plan to hike away from maintained trails, make sure you're prepared for the terrain and know how to navigate safely.

Give yourself flexibility: If your plans depend on weather or road conditions, try not to pack your schedule too tightly. This is especially important for flightseeing and other activities in the Alaska Range, where weather can change quickly.

Don't try to do everything: Denali has plenty of activities, but you don't need to fill every day. For most of our clients, two nights is enough time to experience the park without taking too much time away from the other destinations on their Alaska itinerary.

Best Time to Visit Denali

Denali National Park is open year-round, but summer is the best time to visit if you want to experience the park fully. The main visitor season generally runs from late May through early September, when park buses, most accommodations, restaurants, and other activities are operating.

The best time depends a little on what you're hoping to do. Earlier in the summer can offer better chances of seeing Denali on a clear day, while July and August are a good choice if hiking is your priority. September is one of our favorite times for photography, when the tundra begins to turn colorful, and the landscape takes on a very different feel.

That said, Alaska weather is unpredictable, particularly in the Alaska Range, so we don't recommend choosing your dates based too heavily on the weather. Whenever you visit during the summer season, come prepared for changing conditions.

If you visit outside the summer season, keep in mind that park bus service ends in September and many businesses in the Denali area close for the winter. Winter is a completely different experience, with limited services and opportunities for visitors, so we generally recommend visiting during the summer if it's your first trip to Denali.

Where to Eat in Denali

49th State Brewing - Denali Park

A popular spot in Healy for a casual dinner after a day exploring Denali. They serve a mix of burgers, sandwiches, seafood, and other Alaska-inspired dishes, along with their own beer. We like it for its relaxed atmosphere and spacious outdoor area, and it’s a good option if you’re traveling with a group and want plenty of choices.

The Black Bear

The Black Bear is a locally owned café and restaurant near the entrance to Denali, known for its coffee, house-made pastries, and casual meals. It is a small and very popular spot, so it can get busy and a little chaotic during the summer. We still think it's worth a visit, especially for breakfast, coffee, or a pastry before heading into the park

McKinley Creekside Cafe

Located along Carlo Creek about 15 minutes south of Denali National Park, this locally owned café is one of our favorite places to eat in the area. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a selection of house-made baked goods. Their “Alaska-size” cinnamon rolls are especially popular.

Where to Stay in Denali

If you're traveling to Denali by train or without a rental car, make sure to choose a hotel that offers shuttle service. Ideally, the shuttle should connect the train depot, your hotel, and the park entrance, making it much easier to get around without your own vehicle. We recommend checking this before booking your accommodation.

McKinley Creekside Cabins

Located about 15 minutes south of Denali National Park along Carlo Creek, McKinley Creekside Cabins offers a variety of cabins and rooms in a quiet setting. We like this option for travelers who want a more peaceful place to stay while still being close to the park. The property also has a café and bakery, which makes it especially convenient for breakfast or dinner.

Denali Bluffs Hotel

Located just outside the entrance to Denali National Park, the Denali Bluffs Hotel is a convenient option for travelers who want to stay close to the park. The hotel is built into a wooded hillside and offers lodge-style rooms, with many rooms featuring balconies or verandas. We like this option for its location and views, and the complimentary shuttle makes it easy to get to the park and nearby restaurants without driving.

Camping in Denali

Camping is a great option if you want to stay close to the park and spend more time outdoors. Denali National Park has several campgrounds along the Park Road, with options for both tents and RVs. Riley Creek is the most convenient, located just inside the park entrance, while Savage River offers a quieter setting farther along the road.

Keep in mind that most of the park’s campgrounds are summer-only, and none of the campgrounds have electrical or water hookups for RVs. If you need hookups, you’ll find several private campgrounds outside the park. Reservations are strongly recommended during the summer.

For most visitors, we think Riley Creek is the easiest choice, especially if it’s your first visit to Denali. It’s close to the Visitor Center, bus depot, and entrance-area trails, and the nearby mercantile has camping supplies, food, showers, and laundry.

Planning Your Trip to Denali

Denali is one of those places where a little planning can make a big difference. Whether you want to spend your time looking for wildlife, hiking, exploring the park by bus, or simply enjoying the surrounding area, there are plenty of ways to experience Denali. If you'd like help planning your time in Denali and the rest of your Alaska trip, visit our Design Your Trip page and tell us a little about what you’re looking for. We'll help you create a personalized itinerary based on your interests, travel style, and the kind of Alaska experience you want.