Denali Park
 

We plan to be in Denali Park in August. It looks like there are two options for the 6-8 hour tour. One tour is $71--the other is under $20 since it is run by the Parks Service. Can anyone give me input as to the major differences? The only info I can get from the two groups is that both use school busses (one supposedly a little more comfortable); one provides a lunch; and one tour may have more narration. Have you been on the less expensive tour? What is your opinion?

On my first visit around 1991 I did the $71 tour (was around $36 at the time). On my second trip in 1995 did the Park Service tour which was $2. Same school bus and, at that time, both operated in the same manner. If you saw wildlife you were told to shout and the bus driver would stop the bus so everyone could see the wildife. We did get a box lunch on the first trip and we brought along munchies on the park service tour. I would do the Park service tour for which, I believe, reservations could be made in advance. There is an 800 number to call that can be found at the nps website.

On my first visit around 1991 I did the $71 tour (was around $36 at the time). On my second trip in 1995 did the Park Service tour which was $2. Same school bus and, at that time, both operated in the same manner. If you saw wildlife you were told to shout and the bus driver would stop the bus so everyone could see the wildife. We did get a box lunch on the first trip and we brought along munchies on the park service tour. I would do the Park service tour for which, I believe, reservations could be made in advance. There is an 800 number to call that can be found at the nps website

I went on the cheap Park bus about 10 years ago. It is technically not a tour, just a bus that runs the road into/out of the park. You do need to have a reservation. <BR> <BR>However, the drivers do stop anytime anyone spots wildlife so you can take photos. We stopped for bear, caribou, moose, ptarmigin, sheep. Some of the drivers are characters themselves. <BR> <BR>You can ask to be let off at any place along the route you want to hike (except where there is bear activity) and just flag down another bus when you want to ride out. Any park bus driver will stop for you unless the bus is full.

My experience. <BR>We took the NPS 'transport' busses (not the tour) to Wonder Lake. Our driver was also a tour guide. Her rules were: shout when you see wildlife; give clock location (e.g., 3 o'clock is a moose). She narrated when necessary and her first priority was to have us see whatever there was to see that day. <BR> <BR>The advice I received prior to reservations was accurate: take the longest bus ride possible (longer than shorter) as you will have a greater chance of viewing. <BR> <BR>A couple with their mother sat in front of us. They took the wildlife viewing tour the year prior. We talked throughout the bus ride; they said they preferred our NPS bus ride to the tour guide, but also mentioned the tour busses provided much more "info" on Denali, etc.. but were not as focused on stopping for wildlife. <BR> <BR>Our driver was teriffic. She stopped for any length of time; adjusted the bus so all sides could see; had to wait many minutes so a momma bear and her two cubs got out of the roadway (which was awesome for us riders). <BR> <BR>Another word of advice; Make back to back reservations. You can get a refund (less ticketing fee). This way, you have a backup day if the weather is really bad. Or, you go two days in a row! Weather will really determine your success with wildlife and "the mountain" viewing. <BR> <BR>Also, the NPS busses are green, and the wildlife tour busses are beige. Whippty doo. Forget lunch; bring your own. They all stop at the same places for bathroom, etc. <BR> <BR>Go cheap. It is all on the same road. Plus, they "claim" they are transportation busses, but everybody on board are fellow sightseers. <BR> <BR>

Dear Calteacher, we did the "cheap" tour last summer. I believe it was about 3 hours, more or less. The other tour was 6-7 hours. As described above, the driver stopped whenever we saw wildlife. We stopped approx. midway, got out, and were treated to a brownie and beverage (in a souvenir mug). Those in our group who did the longer tour had a box lunch and saw more wildlife than we did, but I didn't regret taking the shorter tour, as we had some free time within the park to see the dog-sled team exhibition, which we enjoyed. Don't expect to see Mt. McKinley up close and personal on this tour (either one). We saw it alright, but it was many miles away. Enjoy. Marie

The prior poster (Marie) may have confused the issue. The 2 providers of bus trips are the NPS and private. The private charge more, cover the same area and provide a snack. The NPS offers trips of varying lengths with prices being reflective of the distances traveled. Choose the NPS an go early, go far for the best chances of seeing wildlife.

Early, and length.. bring your own food. You are about to be shown "Alaska" by a tourist. But, they did read a book about Alaska, and are therefore qualified as experts in Denali.

Take the park bus - the cheap trip. If you can endure the 12 hr day go to Wonder Lake otherwise just to go Eilson (spelling?). We have been on this bus 4 times and had various drivers. Most were very knwoledgeable about Alaska and the flora and fauna, some weren't - just luck of the draw. Aske questions because many have knowledge but just get tired of talking when they are not sure anyone cares or is listening. Take food and drinks however because there are no concessions in the park. Take binoculars, a jacket and even something to wipe off the window in case of rain or heavy dust. It is a great trip and usually in the ends of summer - August - the bears are out eating a ton of berries and roots to get fat for winter. We have always seen bear on our trips so hopefully you will too. We only saw the Mt. Denali once while in the park but we see it a lot from Anchorage (where I live). Have fun and enjoy the last frontier.

I just got back from Denali. We took the NPS bus. It was $23 to Eliason and $33 to Wonder Lake. I was speaking to our driver, who was very informative by the way, and he said the more expensive buses don't go as far and they are usually used by the Cruise boats. They bring people up from Anchorage for the day and sell the more expensive 'Wildlife tour'. There's only one road into Denali so there seeing the same stuff you are but paying at least double. We saw tons of animals by the way. Have fun!!