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' Denali. Wild animals large and small roam un-fenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await.

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. A small private airstrip is also available near the park entrance for individuals wishing to fly their own small craft to the park.

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

  • Archeology
  • Arts
  • Aviation
  • Industry
  • Mining
  • Westward Expansion
  • The Gold Rush
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Wolves
  • Arctic
  • Tundra
  • Climate Change
  • Fire
  • Forests and Woodlands
  • Coniferous Forests
  • Fossils and Paleontology
  • Dinosaur
  • Geology
  • Glaciers
  • Mountains
  • Natural Sounds
  • Night Sky
  • Aurora Borealis
  • Scenic Views
  • Trails
  • Wilderness

Dall Sheep

a white colored sheep standing on a mountainside overlooking a green valley

Congress originally created Denali National Park (called Mount McKinley National Park, at the time) to protect wildlife, particularly Dall sheep

Denali and Reflection Pond

snowy mountains reflected in a pond

Denali is the highest mountain in North America

Talkeetna View

A huge snowy mountain looming over a landscape of forests and water

The view of Denali from the south, in Talkeetna, Alaska

View from Stony Overlook

a vast white mountain looming over a brown landscape

Many bus trips into Denali pause at Stony Overlook, which features a great view of Denali when skies are clear

Transit Driver

a man standing next to a green bus

Transit buses are a primary way for visitors to sightsee in Denali during summer

Alpenglow

light turns a snowy mountain shades of pink and purple

Alpenglow on North America's tallest peak, Denali

Discovery Hike

a park ranger leading hikers up a steep mountainside

Visitors following a ranger on a Discovery Hike, an off-trail adventure

Grizzlies

three brown bears walking along a dirt road

Grizzlies walking on the park's sole road

Caribou Sighting

a bus on a gravel road behind a large caribou that is trotting on the road

A tour bus pauses to view a caribou as it walks on the Denali Park Road

Sled Dog Demonstration

a large seated crowd faces a park ranger and a small group of sled dogs

A crowd takes in a sled dog demonstration in the Denali Park Kennels