The ultimate first-timer's guide to Denali National Park and Preserve

18.04.2024 - 17:51 / lonelyplanet.com

In a landscape sparsely populated with people but covered in spruce forests, taiga, tundra and lakes, a singular physical force reigns supreme – the 20,310ft imposing elevation of Denali, the mountain that dominates its eponymous national park in Alaska.

Denali National Park and Reserve is everything you would expect from the USA's wild-and-wonderful northernmost state – incredible scenery, abundant wildlife and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities.

It’s also one of the most accessible national parks in Alaska, thanks to the George Parks Highway and Alaska Railroad traversing its southeastern boundary and providing links to both Anchorage and Fairbanks. And that's just one of many reasons you don't need to be daunted by the prospect of a trip to Denali; we've got all the information a first-timer needs to know before they go.

Denali National Park and Preserve is open year-round, but the bulk of guest services are primarily available between late May and mid-September to accommodate the thousands of people who arrive each summer.

During this time, visitor centers, hotels, restaurants and tour operators are in full swing, and the park and surrounding communities of Cantwell, Healy, and Nenana Canyon (also called “Glitter Gulch”) bustle with activity.

Winter operations are much more subdued, with only the Murie Science and Learning Center open as a de facto visitor center. The park service grooms the trail systems around this area, making for excellent cross-country skiing or fat biking conditions. Additionally, Park Road is closed to vehicle traffic beyond this central area so people are welcome to ski, snowshoe or ride as far as they desire with no concern for cars or buses.

Find out more about seasonal attractions with our insider tips on the best time to visit Alaska.

It’s common for first-time visitors to think they can breeze through all the park’s attractions in a day or two before breezing on to Alaska's many other attractions. While this strategy is possible, it’s not ideal for those who truly want to become acquainted with this unique and magnificent environment.

We suggest spending at least three nights in the greater Denali area and one full day devoted to the Park Road route, either on board a tour or shuttle bus, or via the many hiking trails criss-crossing the park. Save the other days for rafting, biking, visiting sled dog kennels and dining in the communities around the park boundaries.

You can get to Denali National Park & Preserve via the George Parks Hwy north or south from Anchorage or Fairbanks, respectively. The Alaska Railroad offers service daily during the summer months and weekly in the winter. There is also motorcoach transportation available from either Seward or Anchorage,