Getting Here and Around

Air

Car

The park is 120 miles south of Fairbanks, or 240 miles north of Anchorage, on the George Parks Highway, which is the most common access route.

There is a second, seldom-used road to the park: the Denali Highway leads from Paxon, which is accessible from the Richardson Highway (it connects Fairbanks and Valdez) to Cantwell, coming out just south of the park entrance. This 134-mile road is mostly unpaved, with few services. Only people with high-clearance cars should try it. The Denali Highway is closed in winter.

Personal vehicles are not allowed within Denali National Park, unless you are staying at the Teklanika Campground at Mile 29 (a three-day minimum stay is required). There is a road lottery for a day in September (the exact date varies every year) where you can drive your personal vehicle into the park, but these days are often crowded and traffic-filled even if you come sans-vehicle.

Mountain Bike Travel

Mountain bikes are allowed anywhere on the park road and can be transported for free on the park's shuttle buses. Before heading out, you should check with the park rangers at the visitor center; if there has been a wolf kill or a lot of bear sightings by the road, bike access might be limited.

Shuttle

Only one road penetrates Denali's expansive wilderness: the 92-mile Denali Park Road, which winds from the park entrance to Wonder Lake (as far as the regular buses go) and on the inholding of Kantishna, the historic mining district in the heart of the park, where there are a couple of private lodges. The first 15 miles of the road are paved and open to all vehicles. During the summer months, the road beyond the checkpoint at Savage River is limited to tour buses, special permit holders, and the community members of Kantishna. To get around the park, you need to get on one of the buses or start hiking.

Train

For those who don't want to drive, Denali National Park is a regular stop on the Alaska Railroad's Anchorage–Fairbanks route. The railway sells packages that combine train travel with hotels and trips into the park. There are great views along the way, especially when crossing the Hurricane Gulch Bridge, and the train is a lovely, comfortable way to travel. The final approach to the park is much prettier by train than via car.