Jean

We visited Alaska last June, and are thinking about another trip this July. We drove from Anchorage to Denali last June, spent one night and the next mroning drove into Denali as far as you can go in a car (16-18 miles)I am trying to plan our trip for this year. Is Denali worth going back to and going on the bus trips they offer. It seems like a long time on a bus. Do you see much more deeper into the park than you see the first few miles? How much time should you allot to Denali and that area?

John

Jean, if the mountain's visible the bus ride is certainly worth it. You may also see more animals than from a car, because you can look for them instead of looking at the road, plus the bus drivers are usually very adept at spotting the critters at a distance. If the weather's poor, it might not be the best way to spend a full day, but the animals and other scenery are still pretty amazing.

GR

I've ridden the bus in. It's well worth the ride. You can get off the bus and walk pretty much anywhere you want, as long as you can manage to find a bus stop again. The animals have come out much more since they limited car traffic into the park, and the buses are on a set schedule, so the animals have grown accustomed. And if you have time, arrange a 1-3 night camping trip into the park. It is possible if you contact them ahead of time, just be sure you know how to bear-proof, wolf-proof, and caribou-proof your camp site. The rangers are more than helpful in teaching you this if you need help.

Have fun!!!

GOL

Absolutely. Take the longer ride (Wonder lake instead of Eilson (sp?). Begin calling for reservations the morning they begin taking calls (late Feb. check the web site).

Paul Rabe

The main appeal of Denali is seeing truly wild animals, in relative comfort and access. IMHO, Denali has suceeded in allowing large amounts of people to get into wilderness without destrying the true wilderness character of the Park. If you want to see gorgeous beauty, there may be other ways to do so other than Denali. But there's not many places where you'll see animals in the wild as readily as you do there.

GOL

Forgot to mention... Absolutely, definately, must do, (gee, did I strongly mention you should do this...) Take a flightseeing tour of Denali. On your way, stop in Talkeetna and get a flightseeing ride. [You can control this - don't go if there is bad weather..]h

Ruth

Another vote for the flightseeing trip. We did one several years ago from right near the park and it (and the dozens of pictures we took) remain one of the sightseeing highlights of my life.

herself

The school bus 8 hour drive in Denali Park was not a favorite of mine. I would have needed high power binoculars to see that those dots were indeed bears. On my next trip to Alaska I would like to stay in the park for a couple of nights and take in some hikes and ranger talks.

GOL

If you can, read the Lonely Planet's description of visiting Denali on the bus. You can have the time of your life, or the bus ride can be a big bust (like "herself" reported). Their juxtaposed "the best of rides/worst of rides" reviews are really outstanding and very accurate.

Derek

GOL, Regarding your entry , can you tell me the URL of the Lonely Planet review
you mentioned. I can't seem to find it. Or else, just a summary of why it could be the best
or worst ride. I would really appreciate your comments on this. I have reservations for the
roundtrip to Eielson Visitor Center in July. Thank you.

Mel

Jean, Denali is truly a fabulous place....but if you've already gone, why not explore some other part of Alaska?? The Last Frontier is so immense, why keep going back to the same place? How about Checking out the Kenai Peninsula? There's always Haines and the beautiful eagles and wildlife. And why not Fairbanks? Alaska has so much to offer....don't get caught up in the usual tourist traps in the middle of July......