Denali National Park & Preserve

Denali is truly a park on an Alaskan scale: six million acres—a plot of magnificent land larger than the state of Massachusetts—interrupted by just one road. And at that, the byway is gravel and all but closed to private vehicles. In other words, Denali sees less traffic than do many suburban streets. Read More »

Denali National Park & Preserve Highlights

Denali ranks as one of the most bike-friendly national parks. The park road (the only road for bike use) is 90 miles long, and bikes are allowed throughout the whole length. You also can take your bicycle with you on a camper shuttle bus. See a map of Denali National Park.
Overnight backpacking is a popular activity for wilderness trekking enthusiasts. Backcountry stays in Denali National Park require a free backcountry permit available at the visitor center during the summer months and at park headquarters during the winter months. Most areas require the use of Bear Resistant Food Containers, distributed free of charge with your backcountry permit. Bear encounters are fairly common, so learn how to handle them ahead of time.
The most challenging peak to summit in the United States is Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley). With a summit of 20,320 feet, temperatures known to fall below minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and 95-mile-per-hour winds, summiting Denali is for expert mountaineers only.
To access day hikes (and scout longer backpacking adventures) in Denali, follow the park road. Take a shuttle bus, get off at an interesting location, and hike from there. When you feel you've gone far enough, turn back and either wait for the next shuttle bus or walk along the road until the next bus comes.
Take a dogsledding tour with Mary Shields. Mary was the first woman to finish the 1,049-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Mary enjoys the pure pleasure of long spring trips with her dogs, exploring the wild country of Alaska, and meeting the people who live in the "bush" communities of Alaska. She offers tours ranging in length from one to ten days.
Learn more about Denali National Park at our sister site GORP.com.

By Travel Expert: Karen Kefauver