Denali Trail & Visitor Guide
Denali · United States · About 6 million acres (roughly 9,400 square miles / 24,500 square km), combining the national park and preserve.
Why Visit Denali
Denali National Park protects six million acres of subarctic wilderness in interior Alaska, centered on Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) — the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet. The mountain rises 18,000 feet from its base, making it the tallest base-to-peak mountain on any continent. Only one road penetrates 92 miles into the park, and private vehicles are restricted beyond mile 15.
Free Denali Audio Guide with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro offers a free, self-guided Denali audio guide. It narrates trails, viewpoints, geology, and wildlife as you explore — Denali viewpoints, Eielson Visitor Center, Savage River Loop, plus quieter spots like Wonder Lake and Triple Lakes Trail. No guide, no schedule, works offline.
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Signature Trails
- Savage Alpine Trail4 miles (6.4 km) one-way · Strenuous
Climbs about 1,500 ft through tundra to ridgeline views of the Savage River valley and, on clear days, the Alaska Range. Connects the Savage River area to the Savage River Loop; many hikers ride the free Savage River shuttle to avoid a road walk.
- Mount Healy Overlook Trail5.4 miles (8.7 km) round-trip · Strenuous
Gains about 1,700 ft from near the visitor center to an overlook of the Nenana River valley and the entrance area. Starts on the Taiga Trail.
- Horseshoe Lake Trail2 miles (3.2 km) round-trip · Easy to moderate
Descends about 300 ft to an oxbow lake on the Nenana River with frequent beaver activity. One of the most accessible maintained trails near the park entrance.
- Savage River Loop2 miles (3.2 km) loop · Easy
Flat trail along both banks of the Savage River at Mile 15, the farthest point private vehicles can drive. Good for spotting Dall sheep on surrounding slopes.
- Triple Lakes Trail9.5 miles (15.3 km) one-way · Strenuous
The park's longest maintained trail, running between the park entrance and the Highway 3 / Riley Creek area, passing several lakes with Alaska Range views.
Must-See in Denali
- •Denali viewpoints — the mountain is visible from several points along the park road on clear days (about 30% of the time)
- •Eielson Visitor Center — at mile 66, offering the closest road-accessible views of Denali
- •Savage River Loop — a 2-mile loop trail accessible by private vehicle with views of the Alaska Range
- •Polychrome Overlook — a dramatic viewpoint over multicolored volcanic mountains and the Polychrome Glacier
Best Viewpoints
- •Eielson Visitor Center (Mile 66) for the closest road-accessible view of Denali's summit, though the road beyond Mile 43 has been closed since 2021 due to the Pretty Rocks landslide
- •Stony Hill Overlook (Mile 62) for a head-on view of the mountain
- •Mountain Vista (Mile 13), reachable by private vehicle, for distant Alaska Range views on clear days
- •Polychrome Overlook (Mile 46) for layered, multi-colored ridges
- •Reflection Pond / Wonder Lake area (Mile 85), historically the iconic reflection view of Denali
Quieter Corners of Denali
- •Wonder Lake — at mile 85, a tundra lake reflecting Denali on calm mornings, accessible only by park bus
- •Triple Lakes Trail — a 9.5-mile point-to-point hike through boreal forest and along braided glacial rivers near the park entrance
Wildlife You May See
Entrance Fee
$15 per person, valid for 7 days. Children 15 and under are free. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) is accepted. The entrance fee is separate from the bus fare required to travel beyond Mile 15 on the Park Road.
Getting There
The park entrance is on Alaska Route 3 (the George Parks Highway) at Mile 237, about 240 miles (4-5 hours' drive) north of Anchorage and about 120 miles (2-2.5 hours) south of Fairbanks. The Alaska Railroad runs daily summer service to the Denali depot near the entrance. Private vehicles may drive only the first 15 miles to Savage River; beyond that point access is by park bus (transit or narrated tour buses, fare required, reservations recommended).
Where to Stay
Inside the park there are six campgrounds, including Riley Creek (near the entrance, open seasonally and the largest) and Wonder Lake (deep in the park, tents only). There are no hotels inside the park. Just outside the entrance along the Parks Highway is the area known as "Glitter Gulch" / Canyon, with hotels and lodges. The towns of Healy (about 11 miles north) and Cantwell (about 30 miles south) offer additional lodging. Backcountry camping requires a permit.
Best Time
Mid-June through early September is the practical season, when buses run, trails are snow-free, and services are open. The Park Road typically opens (to where it remains accessible) by late May/early June, and bus service ends around mid-September. The annual Denali Road Lottery (4 days in mid-September) lets winners drive personal vehicles farther on the road.
Safety
Bears are the primary hazard. Carry an EPA-approved bear-resistant food container (required for backcountry) and keep at least 300 yards (a quarter mile) from bears and 25 yards from moose and other wildlife. Weather is the other major concern: conditions change fast, summer temperatures can drop near freezing, and the mountain is hidden by clouds on most summer days. Rivers are cold and swift from glacial melt. There is no cell service in most of the park. The Park Road beyond Mile 43 is closed indefinitely due to the Pretty Rocks landslide, limiting how far buses travel.
Scenic Drives
- •The Denali Park Road, the only road in the park (92 miles total, currently accessible to Mile 43 due to the Pretty Rocks landslide); private cars allowed only to Mile 15 at Savage River, beyond that by bus
- •The George Parks Highway (AK-3) between Anchorage and Fairbanks, with Denali viewpoints near Mile 135 (Denali State Park / South Viewpoint) and around Cantwell
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