npalley

Hi:

My husband and I are taking a bike trip around the Kenai Peninsula this summer and want to go somewhere after that. We were thinking that Denali Park would be a must see, but it is so far to go in and out of. The WinterLake Lodge, about 200 mi. north of Anchorage was recommended, but I don't know if it would be a mistake to go there and miss Denali.

emalloy

We loved Denali. The park service takes you in on busses that you can hop off and hike and then hop back on when you wanted to ride. I think you could probably go in on your bikes also if you are aware that there are lots of animals there, moose and sheep crossed in front of our bus and bears were within shouting distance. It was the best part of our Alaska trip and I'd hate to miss it.

JasonLong

I think that Denali Park is a must see. You will not be permitted to ride bicycles into the park, but there are shuttle buses that you can ride into the park and then get off for some hiking.

I'm not familiar with Winterlake lodge, but it looks pretty neat too from the website and is in the same general vicinity as Denali Park. One of the best attractions of Denali Park is the opportunities to see Wildlife, especially grizzly bears, because of the openness of the the high alpine tundra where the park road passes. I'm not sure if Winterlake Lodge would offer that same opportunity.

npalley

Thanks for you input . We will not be on bikes in Denali. We'll be getting there from Anchorage by bus and are looking at the Denali Backcountry Lodge near Kantishna .Do you have any other recommendations for hotels that are nice, with private baths, but aren't the huge cruise ship ones?

LindainOhio

If you can afford to stay at Denali Backcountry Lodge, I would stay there. It looks wonderful. Enzian has a report here on Fodors, from last August, detailing her stay there and at Kenai Fjords Lodge.

Are you doing the bike trip with an organized company?