Entrance Fee
$15.00
/ Entrance - Per Person
Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Denali Visitor Center: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
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About the Park
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' Mount McKinley. Wild animals large and small roam un-fenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await.
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What to See & Do
Explore Denali's Winter Trails
Whether on foot, skis or snowshoes, winter is a great time for you to explore Denali! Snow starts falling as early as September, although in some years the conditions aren't good for skiing until December, and it sticks around until April or May.
Sightsee on a Denali Tour Bus
Summer sight-seeing in Denali is mainly done by bus, and there are several trips to choose from. Narrated tour bus trips are more expensive than non-narrated transit buses. From high up in a bus, it becomes possible to look over roadside brush, allowing you to enjoy the incredible scenery (and wildlife sightings, too!).
Explore Mountain Vista & Savage River
While most of Denali’s sole road is restricted just to bus traffic, anybody can drive out to Mountain Vista and Savage River. Located about 15 miles inside the park, the area is scenic, featuring several trails (some short, one long) and a picnic area.
Hike a Short Trail From the Denali Visitor Center
At 6 million acres in size, Denali is incredibly vast, and hiking is possible almost anywhere in the park. However, there are only a handful of established trails in the park, and here you'll find a few suggestions for one or more short hikes from the Denali Visitor Center.
Bike the Denali Park Road
Biking the Denali Park Road is a rewarding way to explore the park at a slower speed than vehicles allow. Experience a variety of terrain over the course of just a few hours as you pedal from forested areas up to expansive views of the tundra, then coast back downhill towards a river.
Berry Picking in Denali
Alaska is well known for it’s amazing and abundant berries in August and September—just ask any of the grizzly bears in Denali! A family friendly activity would be to strike off into the tundra and search for berries. Bring your bucket (or empty water bottle) to fill, or simply snack on the go.
Self-Guided Tours
Denali Highlights: From the Park Entrance to Savage River
This self-guided tour combines driving and walking, and calls out the main sights to see within the first 15 miles of the Denali Park Road. The best time of year to do this tour is summer (roughly May 20 to mid-September), although many of the sights are worthwhile before or after those dates. In winter, however, most of the park's sole road is closed, so the sled dog kennels are the farthest point you can easily reach.
Walk Through Time on the McKinley Station Trail
Take a hike and learn about the early pioneer history of the area. The McKinley Station Trail is 1.6 miles long. It descends from the visitor center to Hines Creek, then travels alongside Riley Creek, under the Alaska Railroad trestle, and meanders up and down small hills til it reaches Riley Creek Campground and picnic area. Much of the material presented here first appeared in the book "McKinley Station: People of the Pioneer Park," by Tom Walker.
Visitor Centers
Denali Visitor Center
Open in summer only, this is the main visitor center near the park entrance. During the summer, you can explore exhibits, watch the park film, pay the park entrance fee, and talk with a ranger. In fall, winter, and spring, the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) acts as the park's Winter Visitor Center.
Murie Science and Learning Center
The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) is located at Mile 1.3 of the Denali Park Road at the entrance of Denali National Park and Preserve. In winter, the MSLC is Denali’s Winter Visitor Center. The MSLC is closed to the public in summer, when it serves as an operations base for registration-based educational programs. A 24-hour Automated Fee Machine is located outside the building. You can purchase the park entrance fee and Denali Annual Pass here by credit card only.
Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station
Located in the town of Talkeetna, about 100 miles south of the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, this ranger station serves as the center of mountaineering operations. Climbers wishing to attempt Mount McKinley or other peaks in the Alaska Range stop here first, for an orientation to the mountain and to acquire their climbing permit. This ranger station also offers some visitor services, particularly in summer. It is open year-round.
Denali Bus Depot
This summer facility is operated by our concessionaire rather than by the National Park Service. It is the primary place to buy bus tickets, arrange for stays in park campgrounds, or to check in for an existing reservation. Coffee and grab-and-go food is also available for purchase. Only credit cards are accepted here.
Indoor Picnic Area
A heated building, called the Indoor Picnic Area, is located next door to the Murie Science and Learning Center. Open in winter only, mid-October to mid-April. Restrooms and a water bottle filling station are available. Food service is not provided, so bring your own food to eat.
Eielson Visitor Center
The Eielson Visitor Center is located at Mile 66 of the Denali Park Road. Due to the ongoing Pretty Rocks landslide and the closure of the park road at Mile 42, Eielson is currently closed.
Where to Stay
Riley Creek
Riley Creek is a fairly wooded campground, with some screening between sites whenever possible. Most of the campground sites are open to either tent campers or vehicles / RVs. The proximity of Highway 3 means there is occasional traffic noise, but also means campers have all the conveniences and amenities of the park entrance area, and businesses outside the park, close at hand. Trails leading from the campground connect to the Denali Visitor Center, which is the central hub of trails in the entrance area.
Savage River
Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Savage River campground is located at Mile 13 on the Denali Park Road. It sits in a spruce forest, with moderate screening between sites. On clear days, Mount McKinley can be seen from a short walk below the campground.
Sanctuary River
Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Sanctuary River is a heavily wooded campground, with screening between most sites. The immediate area is brushy, but nearby mountains offer chances to hike directly from the campground and gain elevation, with views of Mount McKinley to the south possible on clear days, after some strenuous up-hill hiking. Sanctuary is tent-only—you will not find any RVs or other vehicles in this campground. It is accessible only by camper bus.
Teklanika River
Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Though nearly all private vehicles must turn around at mile 15, Savage River, Tek campers are an exception to that rule. If you wish, you may drive your vehicle / RV to Tek. The trade-off is that you must make, at minimum, a three-night stay, and your vehicle must stay in your campsite for the duration of your stay, while you use transit buses to sightsee. Tent campers using the park bus system to reach Tek are not subject to the 3-night minimum stay.
Igloo Creek
The campground is at mile 35 on the Park Road. It offers 7 sites, making it the smallest in Denali (along with Sanctuary River Campground, which also has 7 sites). Igloo is tent-only—you will not find any RVs or other vehicles in this campground. It is accessible only by camper bus. The bus stop is a short walk from the campsites (less than 50 yards).
Wonder Lake
Wonder Lake Campground is closed until further notice. Wonder Lake Campground is at mile 85 on the Denali Park Road. It offers 28 tent-only sites. This is the closest campground to Mount McKinley. Though still nearly 26 miles away, the sheer size of the mountain makes it loom impressively over Wonder Lake Campground. Cloudy skies can obscure views, and mosquitoes can be fierce, but clear days offer views that will last a lifetime. Bear-proof food lockers are available throughout the campground.
Parking & Access
Getting Here
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.
Official NPS directionsParking Lots
Denali Bus Depot Parking
This parking lot is at the building where most bus trips into Denali begin. Two-thirds of the lot are sized for small cars, and one-third is sized for RVs or other large vehicles. Many area hotels have shuttles that bring their guests to the Denali Bus Depot, so inquire at your lodging if you want to avoid bringing a car to the park.
Open in MapsGetting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Sightsee on a Denali Tour Bus
Summer sight-seeing in Denali is mainly done by bus, and there are several trips to choose from. Narrated tour bus trips are more expensive than non-narrated transit buses. From high up in a bus, it b
Sightsee on a Denali Transit Bus
Summer sight-seeing in Denali is mainly done by bus, and there are several trips to choose from. Transit bus trips are the cheapest and most flexible option, although they aren't narrated. From high u
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in Denali National Park & Preserve — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Denali charges an entrance fee year-round. Youth age 15 or younger are free. For people age 16 or older, the $15 entrance fee provides a 7-day entrance permit. Be prepared to show your receipt or pass (digital or physical) if requested by park staff.
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00The Denali Annual Pass covers up to four adults. You may purchase it online or in person at the park.
Operating Hours
All Park Hours
Denali is open 24-hours a day, although services are limited after-hours (generally after 4 pm in winter or 6 pm in summer). There is no gate at the park entrance. Please note that camping is only possible either in designated campgrounds (with a valid reservation) or in the rest of the park with a free backpacking permit.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Live Webcams
Click any camera to open the live feed on the NPS website.
Alpine Tundra Webcam
Have you ever wanted to check conditions for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities along the Denali Park Road corridor west of Park Headquarters? A new Alpine Tundra webcam, perched high atop a shoulder of Mount Healy along the park’s Outer Range, offers a westward perspective for several miles beyond the entrance area. Snow and extreme conditions may obscure the view at times. The image is set to refresh several times each minute.
Sled Dog Puppies
Welcome to the Puppycam, an annual webcam that depicts the early lives of sled dog puppies at the Historic Park Kennels at Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. For updates on the pups and other park activities, follow DenaliNPS on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.
Sled Dog Puppies
Welcome to the Puppycam, an annual webcam that depicts the early lives of sled dog puppies at the Historic Park Kennels at Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. For updates on the pups and other park activities, follow DenaliNPS on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.
Alpine Tundra
Have you ever wanted to check conditions for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities along the Denali Park Road corridor west of Park Headquarters? A new Alpine Tundra webcam, perched high atop a shoulder of Mount Healy along the park’s Outer Range, offers a westward perspective for several miles beyond the entrance area. Snow and extreme conditions may obscure the view at times. The image is set to refresh several times each minute.
Alpine Tundra
This camera is perched high atop a shoulder of Mount Healy along the park’s Outer Range. It offers a westward perspective for several miles beyond the entrance area of the park. Snow and extreme conditions may obscure the view at times. The image is set to refresh several times each minute.
Alaska Railroad Depot
This view from high above the Denali Visitor Center is oriented to the southeast, across the park boundary in the middle distance to the Yanert River Valley beyond. In winter, this expanse is where the sun first emerges and lingers low over the horizon. (Image refreshes about once each minute.)
Sled Dog Puppies
Welcome to the Puppycam, an annual webcam that depicts the early lives of sled dog puppies at the Historic Park Kennels at Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. For updates on the pups and other park activities, follow DenaliNPS on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.
Sled Dog Puppies
Welcome to the Puppycam, an annual webcam that depicts the early lives of sled dog puppies at the Historic Park Kennels at Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. For updates on the pups and other park activities, follow DenaliNPS on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.
Photos
snowy mountains reflected in a pond
A huge snowy mountain looming over a landscape of forests and water
a vast white mountain looming over a brown landscape
three brown bears walking along a dirt road
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
2-4 days
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Planning Denali & Preserve
These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.