Denali National Park

You'll probably want to start off on the small trail system near the park entrance. And the park is planning new trails suitable for day hikes along the the Nenana River corridor (mile 231-238 along the Parks Highway) and in the Savage River area. The Savage River trail system will provide a range of different length hikes. The park is also considering, but has no plans to build, short trails at Primrose (mile 17 along the park road) and in the Wonder Lake area. For the latest news on these trails, check with the park Visitor Center when you're there.

One approach to day hiking in Denali is to follow the park road . Just hop a shuttle bus and get off anywhere you like. You can hike into the park from there, and when you feel you've gone far enough, turn back and either wait for the next shuttle bus or wander along the road. You set the agenda.

Here's a sampling of short trails. You can pick up a map at the visitor center and take a stroll...

Easy Trails

Taiga Loop Trail
Begins and ends at the Denali Park Hotel parking lot.
Length: 1.3-mile loop
Elevation Change: 150 feet
Time: 1 hour round-trip

Morino Loop Trail
Begins and ends at the Denali Park Hotel parking lot.
Length: 1.3-mile loop
Elevation Change: 100 feet
Time: 1 hour round-trip

Moderate Trails

Rock Creek Trail
Connects the Denali Park Hotel to Park Headquarters.
Length: 2.3 miles one way
Elevation Change: 400 feet
Time: 2 hours one way uphill

Roadside Trail
Connects the Denali Park Hotel to Park Headquarters.
Length: 1.8 miles one way
Elevation Change: 300 feet
Time: 1 hour one way
Note: This trail also extends from the Hotel to the Visitor Center.

Horseshoe Lake Trail
Begins at mile 0.9 on the park road near the railroad track crossing. Self-guided pamphlet at trailhead.
Length: 1.5 miles round-trip
Elevation Change: 200 feet
Time: 1 hour round-trip

Strenuous Trails

Mount Healy Trail
Begins and ends at the Denali Park Hotel parking lot. Take the Taiga Loop Trail for .3 miles and look for the Mount Healy trailhead after crossing the second service road.
Length: 5 miles round-trip.
Elevation Change: 1,700 feet
Time: 3 to 4 hours round-trip.
A good moderate hike ends at the benches at mile 2.