DENALI NATIONAL PARK
Huge park forbidden to vehicles beyond Savage River, with the exception of specially authorized buses
Denali is a huge park, but only one road runs through it, and hotels, campgrounds and activities are concentrated along that road. The park is closed to vehicles beyond Savage River (Mile 15), except for a special bus. The bus only stops at a few points, except when there is an animal. Hence the need to walk a bit on your own. The best thing to do is to take a bus at least as far as Eielson Visitor Center and stop along the way. But the road collapsed in 2020 and now you can't go past the halfway point, at Mile 43. It should be rehabilitated and open in 2024. In good weather and if you leave early enough, the visit to Wonder Lake is very pleasant. There is a viewpoint where you can see the reflection of Mount McKinley on a lake. Sublime! Most of the trails in the park are not marked and you will have to find your way on your own. Only a few paths exist, most of them around the visitor centers. To camp, you must be autonomous and obtain a special permit by giving your location to the rangers beforehand. The Horseshoe Lake Trail (Mile 1.5 Park Road, 2.5 hours walk) is a 3 mile loop around the lake and the Nenana River, fairly flat and easy. The Rock Creek Trail (2.4 miles) leaves from the headquarters offices and offers the option of looping around by taking the Roadside Trail. Eielson Trail. Mile 66 (currently closed), a popular trail, takes you to the top of Thorofare Ridge for a unique view of Denali Mountain.
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Members' reviews on DENALI NATIONAL PARK
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Go early in the morning, take the bus that runs through the park in order to see wild animals (bears, caribou…). Possibility to go down and hiking in way and catch a bus later.
Une seule route traverse cette réserve, en accès public jusqu'à Savage River, puis en accès uniquement par bus au delà.
La visite en bus est vraiment superbe ! D'autant plus qu'il n'y a pas beaucoup de personnes, c'est d'autant plus dépaysant.
Vous verrez très certainement des grizzlis, des orignaux, des Rennes ou encore des marmottes !