Any recommendations for a mid-priced, nice clean hotel near Denali National Park? (Not a B&B, please.) Is it better to stay in the park or near the entrance? Thanks.

My husband and I stayed at the Denali Grizzly Bear Resort a few years ago. It was brand new at the time and we thought it was nice. Probably a 10 minute drive to the Park entrance. There are several hotels closer, it seems like they were much higher in price, so we chose this place and were not disappointed.

Have fun!

There's nothing inside the park. All the hotels close to the entrance are pretty expensive. You are paying for location, not for a great room either.

As tracilee mentions, once you get about 10 miles north (Healy) or south (near where she stayed) prices drop quite a bit. If you have a rental car these are good bargains.

We also stayed at Grizzly Bear - this year in June (the fact that 2 posters mention it does not mean it is the best around - just coincidence, in my opinion). They have 2 types of lodging - cabins and a main motel-style "lodge". We stayed in cabins. They were quite rustic, although with full bath and a small kitchen area. Each has a balcony overlooking something - ours some woods and a river. We had 2 rooms, both with beds, and a kitchenette with a table.

Simple, clean and in fitting with the area. We did not see the inside of the motel-style rooms, but one of the buildings looks very new.

It is possible to pick up bus to Denali and other activities right at this hotel.

By the way, I am assuming you will be driving from Anchorage. Without being political, be sure to stop for groceries or other supplies in Wasilla - it is really the last outpost for real supermarket, etc.

I'm looking at three places: McKinley Creekside Cabins, Parks Edge Log Cabins and Earthsong Lodge. Any opinions?

I can give two hearty thumbs-up to Earthsong Lodge. Jon and Karin run a great lodge, and the cabins are simple, yet immaculate and perfect for a Denali stay. And, if the weather is clear, just a couple of miles down the gravel road is a view of Denali itself, which we were able to enjoy one evening.

Thanks for asking the question. Bookmarking.

I've decided on Earthsong. It's #1 rated on TripAdvisor.com. People seem to really like it. My only concern is that it looks like cabins in a parking lot - but clean with a private bath is all my family needs. Thanks for all the input.

we stayed at Denali river cabins in August 07, 3 families, and all the kids loved it, right on the river, and they played on the "beach" in that cold water for 3 hours!!! rates were good, and so were cabins.