I've read that reservations for the shuttle buses can be made in late February. However, since the national park websites have currently disappeared, I can't find info on where/how to make the reservations. Does anyone know?

Also, any suggestions as to how far to take the bus to get off and hike? Does it get better the farther you ride or is it just more of the same?

The wonder of Denali is that the animals are completely wild, and there is no way to predict whether you'll see more of them if you ride a longer period. Sometimes the animals will stay in a certain area long enough to be familar (when I rode, the bus driver said "We'll probably get to see the Mile 53 bears"), but there's no guarantees. If there's specific animals you hope to see, check with the driver on how far you should travel to have the best chance to see them. But recall this is not a zoo.

Most of the ride is wild tundra no matter how far you ride, and not particularly scenic. Best views of the mountain are not from the bus ride in the NP, but in Denali STATE Park.

Hi Clousie,
you can step along the street whenever you want outside and hike and explore the landscape. I think it was about a htree or four hour ride to the ranger station. All bus drivers are rangers to - already - telling you were to expect a certain type of animal.
I loved to wander around finding plants and watching out for "wildlife".
Enjoy your stay.
More info needed ? Email me
Shain/eu/de/düsseldorf

Clousie watch out for Mr. Shaine here. He is trying to misslead you. There are no streets in Denali. And if you want to hike there are designated trails that you will find on a map. It is very easy but talk to the park rangers about safety. They are excellent in providing the latest information where to spot certain animals and what areas to avoid. Forget about Sahin from Dusseldorf. The Denali Park rangers are the best to ask for assisstance and their help is free. The further you go the better chance you have to see Mt. McKinneley. If you want all the way to Kantishna you won't have a much time for hiking.

Hi Clousie,
forget about lousy another x one.
Precisley - the shuttle bus
leaving the park road to the Visitor Center or further to wonder lake, stop
at all opportunities along the way.
chek with 001-907-683 2294
superintendetn Denali Ntl.Park.
Maybe e.u. residents are more helpful than some strange XXers, missleading u.
Shain/eu/de/düsseldorf

Hi Clousie,
and ... if you want to get a last and eternal impression of Mt. Mc Kinley,
you dont have to climb him, but a sport-plane(from Talkeetna aprt) will definitely give you a marvelous impression of americas biggest mountain!
THat s an experience and a view you can be proud of.
However I agree with another xx that,
the deeper you walk the greater the chance of wildlife opportunities is.
Best wishes
Shain/EU/DE/düsseldorf

ttt

For shuttle bus reservation, call toll free number 800-622-7275 in the US, 907-272-7275 for international calls. Phone reservations are now active. I've just reserved for June.
Shuttle bus reservation forms can also be mailed to Denali Park Resorts VTS, 241 West Ship Creek Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501 or faxed to 907-264-4648.
I found this in http://www.nps.gov/dena/home/visitor...servations.htm.

The NPS website is back up and running.