I will be staying at the Princess McKinley for two nights in August this year (2 adults, 2 kids). I am trying to decide between two ways to spend a Sunday

Choice A. Drive 100 miles (and back) to Denali National Park, do a day hike in the entrance area, visit the dog kennels (I decided to avoid the park shuttle since my kids are 8 & 5 and I did not think they would enjoy it).

Choice B : Skip Denali National Park completely. Instead, do a couple of hikes in Denali State Park (around the Chulitna river / Byers Lake), and take a float trip (Denali River Guides seems to have float trips and they are only 3 miles from the Princess Mckinley).

What would you suggest ? Also, for those fo you who have been there in the past : what's the probability of seeing wildlife on hikes in the Byers Creek / Chulitna Confluence area ? Moose ? Bear ??? The MilePost says "watch out for bear" in this area, are they frequent enough that you have to be careful on even short hikes ?


Sunil

Since you're so much closer to Denali State Park (SP) than to Denali National Park (NP), I would recommend the former. Also, the main excitement from NP is found almost exclusively from riding the shuttle to see the wildlife. It's not impossible to see wildlife near the entrance (I saw a moose right at the entrance sign and a grizzly 100 meters from the Ranger station), it's just MUCH more likely if you go well into the Park.

One MAJOR disclaimer: facilities at SP are almost non-existent, and trails are pretty much un-marked. That may well be a plus for adults wanting adventure; it's almost certainly a minus with young children. Do NOT go to SP unless you can handle your kids in a truly wilderness environment. In particular, make certain they understand what it means that animals are "wild." A five year old who thinks bears are like Yogi could definitely end up in trouble! And remember that moose DO attack when threatened, and can easily kill a human if they want to.

sunil,

We had the same choice to make, and after reading/hearing good things about Denali State Park, we took that option.

We did the Little Coal Creek Trail (6 miles round trip) to Curry Ridge. It was a 2,000' gain, but the views were spectacular across the valley to the Alaska Range. We didn't see any wildlife, but that wasn't our goal, just great scenery. This trail may be a little rough for the kids. Byers Lake would be a shorter and level trail.

I have done the above and clearly Denali Park- National has much much more available. BUT as mentioned- you are NOT likely to see wildlife without the shuttle bus to Eielson. I also would NOT stay at the McKinley Princess is I were considering a trip to Denali National Park. As mentioned, Beyers Lake doesn't even have running water- a pump- (try filling a RV reserve tank). Beyers Lake is OK, so is little Coal Creek trail - you don't have to go the whole distance. There are several "state Parks", http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/
perhaps make your selection from there? Spend a day in Talkeetna- funky town- raft tours available and flights are supurb.

After reading that the state park was just as nice as the national park but much easier to get in, we had every intention of staying there (in an RV). We pulled in, drove through and pulled right back out.

There is a reason it was virtually empty (mid July). Neither the sites nor the facilities were very nice. No mountain views.

We're veteran campers and have stayed in many state and national parks.

If it were me, I wouldn't bother driving so far north if you aren't doing the shuttle in the national park. I'd spend more time south of Anchorage.