Map of Denali National Park

The changes in names and boundaries that have occurred over the years can be confusing. But there is some reason behind the naming madness. In 1917, Mount McKinley National Park was established as a wildlife refuge. In 1980, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) enlarged the boundary by four million acres and redesignated it as Denali National Park and Preserve.

Denali National Park and Preserve is managed as three distinct units. Denali Wilderness, the former Mount McKinley National Park, is managed to maintain the undeveloped wilderness parkland character. Backcountry use is regulated and most usual national park regulations apply here. Denali Wilderness is closed to sport and subsistence hunting and trapping activities.

The traditional subsistence uses by local rural residents are allowed in the Denali National Park Additions, established in 1980. This is the area of the park that does not include the Denali Wilderness. Denali National Preserve allows subsistence uses plus sport hunting, trapping, and fishing under Alaska Fish and Game regulations. There are two such preserve areas.