I will be going to Denali National Park this late August, and will be taking the shuttle bus into the park. I am mainly interested in some light hiking, nice views and photography. Should I go all the way to Wonder Lake or is the Eielson Visitor Center area good enough?

Eielson is about 8 hours round-trip. If you leave on an early bus you'll have time to get off and hike for several hours and then catch a late bus back.

The Wonder Lake bus r-t is typically 12 hours and while the section between Eielson and WL is lovely you just won't have much time to do any hiking.

We have ridden the bus to Eielson many times, getting off at the tops of passes to hike and photograph, and never felt the urge to extend the trip to WL. On the other hand we generally stay a week near Kantishna (near Wonder Lake) so are very familiar with the 26 or so miles between Eielson and WL from those trips. If you're taking several bus rides maybe go to WL one day but in general the 8 hour trip to Eielson is plenty for most of us.

Bill

In your timeframe, I would book a Wonder Lake Bus. IF McKinley is viewable, you will KICK yourself for not going there. The rates are marginal between the two buses, and if you change your mind on the distance, just ditch the bus and return.

In this timeframe, I am ALWAYS out at Wonder Lake, you are past the bug season!!!

IF McKinley is viewable, you will KICK yourself for not going there.

Actually you get great views of The Mountain well before Wonder Lake ... on the front page of the Fodors site where it says "Show us your Alaska Photo Contest" is a great view of McKinley from Stony Hill overlook, which is about mile 63. Eielson is about mile 66.5 ... Wonder Lake junction another 20 miles or so and the view isn't any better than from Stony Hill unless you are on the north shore of the lake (which the WL shuttle bus doesn't go to).

Bill

I differ, and my opinion only. The McKinley view at the Eielson/Wonder Lake section is superior to Stony Point and it really gives a great view of the hugeness!!!!