Things To Do In Denali National Park

 DENALI NATIONAL PARK: THINGS TO DO

Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, home to North America's tallest mountain and more than 6 million acres of wilderness, offers a diverse range of outdoor activities and breathtaking views. There are plenty of summer activities in Denali to keep visitors enthralled for days, whether they want adventure among the peaks and rivers or prefer nature walks, wildlife observation, and sightseeing trips.

When visiting Denali National Park, use this guide to help you plan free activities, identify the finest hiking paths for your group, and avoid missing out on any hidden gems this bucket-list destination has to offer.

Take a Look Around the Denali Visitor Center.

The visitor center at the park entrance is more than just a place to pick up a trail map and buy a postcard; it also serves as a good introduction to what to expect during your stay. To get a taste of the Alaskan outdoors and wildlife safety guidelines, start with the 20-minute long “Heartbeats of Denali” and its related instructional films. Then take a trip through the exhibit area to see fossils, footprints, and other animal exhibits.

This is also where permits are obtained and where national park ranger walks are organized. It's only open from May to September because that's when the majority of visitors arrive.

A bookshop and gift shop, a baggage storage space, and a café with grab-and-go snacks suited for picnic lunches may be found elsewhere on campus.

Pay a Visit to the Sled Dogs

For the past century, canines have patrolled Denali's winter wilderness, carrying supplies and rangers as they conduct research, help visitors, and keep an eye out for illicit activities. Because they're more reliable and don't break down in the cold, Alaskan huskies are a better choice than motorized equipment for these tasks.

Visitors can pet the furry rangers, learn about what they do, and witness mushing demonstrations throughout the summer at the park's kennels. Because most of the dogs' labor is done during the winter, local volunteers take them on daily walks and runs to help them burn off any pent-up energy. When the dogs reach the age of nine, they are adopted into active, outdoor-oriented homes.

Horseshoe Lake Trail

This 2-mile route near the park entry circles its eponymous lake and follows a portion of the Nenana River, providing plenty of spectacular photo opportunities and opportunities to see wildlife.

The initial leg of the journey includes a brief hike up to a high lake perspective, followed by a 250-foot plunge to the shoreline, which implies an equally steep climb back up at the end. A small side route leads to a beaver dam near the lake, and the main trail breaks off in two directions, completing a loop.

It's a relatively straightforward path, save for the steep hill to the trailhead at the end. The stretch on the west side of the lake where the dusty footpath skirts barely between the water's edge and a steep and rocky hillside is possibly the most exciting. The views from this end of the shimmering lake, which is encircled by soaring trees and a mountainous backdrop, are especially beautiful.

Mount Healy

The Mount Healy Overlook Trail, which is also conveniently located near the park entrance, is ideal for adventurous hikers. The out-and-back route is 2.7 miles each way and climbs 1,700 feet to a mountaintop overlook.

You'll pass through spruce forests along the way, with a series of switchbacks taking you above the treeline. On a clear day, the payout is a panoramic view that may encompass Denali.

The ascent is one of the park's steepest and most grueling, and it may be made considerably more difficult by continuing 1.5 miles to the summit of Mount Healy, a permissible but unofficial and sometimes perilous trek that should be approached with caution.

Savage River Loop

This easy circle trail follows the Savage River, ending on the opposite bank with a river crossing via bridge. With a total length of 1.7 miles, it's suitable for hikers of all abilities, and you can reach the trailhead by car or free park shuttle.

Because the river runs between two mountain ranges, you'll feel as if you're strolling through a canyon with towering hills on both sides if you stay close to the banks.

Instead, take the Savage Alpine trek from here for a bit more excitement. The challenging route climbs into the mountains about four miles one way and connects to the Mountain Vista rest point, where you may catch a shuttle back to the start.

Camping

Is there a better way to appreciate Denali's beautiful outdoors than by sleeping under the stars? (Of course, comfortably tucked into a tent.) Six campgrounds are located throughout the park, extending from the entrance to 85 miles into the wilderness.

Each has its own set of laws and amenities, such as if RVs are permitted, drinkable water is accessible, and campfires are prohibited, so read the fine print before going. Reservations must be made in advance (as early as December 1 for the next summer season), and visitors are limited to 14 nights in the park.

A few of noteworthy points: while the rest of the campgrounds are only accessible from May to September, Riley Creek near the entrance is available all year, with free stays outside of the summer season. In addition, despite the route being closed to other private vehicles past mile 15, the Teklanika River campsite at mile 29 permits cars/RVs to access the site if they book for three nights. Wonder Lake is the park's farthest outpost, at mile 85, and the park's closest to Denali, at less than 26 miles.

All of the Denali National Park camping sites are accessible via shuttle (those beyond mile 15 require a ticket), and special camper buses are available on a retainer basis.

Birdseye View of Denali

Viewing North America's tallest peak from the ground may appear spectacular until you see photographs from flightseeing expeditions. These airborne excursions take place on helicopters and wing planes that take off from cities like Talkeetna and Healy outside the park.

Some of these trips include a glacier landing, allowing visitors to not only see but also walk on these massive icebergs.

Bus Tours In Denali

While the first 15 miles of Denali Park Road are easily accessible and offer plenty of exhilarating treks and wandering moose, a trip further down the 92-mile route is required to truly appreciate this beautiful wilderness of mountains, valleys, and rivers.

Denali bus excursions, which offer both narrated and non-narrated alternatives, are the best and most convenient way to drink up the diverse scenery and see roaming wildlife. The first option is the most expensive, as it includes a naturalist bus driver who will guide the journey and deliver information along the way, as well as food and beverages. Passengers spend the entire day with their crew, with three alternative destinations available.

The latter option, often known as transit buses, has four stopover points: the Toklat River at mile 53, the Eielson Visitor Center at mile 66, Wonder Lake at mile 85, and Kantishna at mile 92. Riders on these stripped-down excursions can get off at any time and jump back on another green bus when space allows, giving them greater freedom to hike or sightsee on their own. You'll need to pack a lunch, as food and beverages aren't sold past the bus station, however Eielson does have a water bottle refill station.

Both journeys include scheduled break periods and opportunities to see animals. If you want to ensure that you obtain a seat at the best moment possible, you can reserve tickets online ahead of time. It's a long and lengthy ride (about 7 to 12 hours round trip depending on how far you go), so factor in how much time you'll want to spend off the bus as well. These excursions usually start in May, but the full route won't open for several weeks after that, so plan your vacation appropriately if you want to visit one of the more remote locations.

The Eielson Visitor Center is a must-see.

This rest stop and interpretive center, located at Park Road mile 66, stands out for its environmentally friendly features and modest profile. The structure is snuggled into a slope, partially concealed beneath the hills, and the site's damaged landscaping was shifted to the roof terrace to further disguise it, making the entire structure scarcely visible from the road.

It's also LEED Platinum-certified, which is the highest level of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification system. Solar panels, a hydroelectric system, and solar-heated water in the lavatories are just a few examples of the building's renewable-energy elements.

Inside, there's a wilderness-themed art exhibit, park information, and a picture window with a direct view of Denali. On clear days, you can see the peak and the surrounding range easily from this stop.

Buses that stop here usually only remain for approximately 45 minutes, so if you want to stay longer to walk one of the nearby trails, you'll have to change buses to go back to the entrance. Keep in mind that if the buses are crowded, you may have to wait, however there are usually more empty seats later in the day.

Thorefare Trail

This route, one of just a few recognized trails past the park's entrance zone, is located near the Eielson Visitor Center and can be accessible via transit buses to Eielson, Wonder Lake, or Kantishna.

The hike begins across the road from the visitor center and ascends the Thorofare Ridge for about a mile, gaining 1,000 feet in elevation. As you progress up the steep incline, the sights become more stunning, culminating in a panorama from the top that includes dozens of peaks, including Denali when it is visible.

Denali as seen from Wonder Lake

On clear days, the aptly named Reflection Pond replicates the image of Denali, making it arguably one of the greatest views of the mountain. This spot has been the subject of many postcard photos, and if you're lucky enough to visit when the mountain is poking out, you can try your hand at capturing it as well.

You'll need to purchase a Wonder Lake or Kantishna bus ticket to get here. The second option takes you close to the pond, whereas the first takes you a few miles away to a campground. It will be a significantly shorter walk of about a third of a mile if you get off on Park Road before the turn.

If you want to see if Denali is visible on the day of your bus trip before purchasing a ticket all the way to Wonder Lake (ticket prices increase as you travel further), you can purchase a fare to Eielson and then add an extension ticket in cash.

Trekking in the Wilderness is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise

Denali National Park and Preserve, which spans more than 6 million acres and is the size of many states, offers apparently boundless wildness to explore. While there are a dozen or more recognized trails near the park entrance, after mile 15, the alternatives become few and far between.

That doesn't mean you can't get out and explore; off-trail hiking is permitted, which opens up a whole new world of possibilities. You can start hiking along most of the 92-mile-long Denali Park Road since transit buses allow you to get off wherever you want. Riding to the other half of the island, on the other hand, takes up a significant portion of the day and leaves little time for trekking. Check out the park's hiking page for all of the park's safety precautions, and consider checking in with a ranger when you arrive to learn about wildlife closures and other current information.

If you want to go hiking in Denali National Park but want to be accompanied by a professional, look into the discovery hikes led by park rangers. These adventures aren't your average stroll; they're an action-packed adventure that may include water crossings, muddy terrain, and steep elevation changes. Once you arrive, you can only sign up a day or two ahead of time.