Kantishna Experiance?
 

We planned a day and a half in Denali ( 2 nights ), and have yet to schedule our time there....any opinions on the NPS Kantishna trip- 12 hours to the end of the road, vs. Wonder lake or the visitor center??
Timing is mid June.
Thanks in advance- you have been such a big help!

I never recommend Kantishna as a day trip. Are you considering an overnight??

In my opinion, the day trips are overall a VERY costly lunch only at about $125pp. You have NO time for much of anything else besides eating. And certainly no time for the activities available to overnight guests. Wonder Lake Shuttle bus is 1/3 the price. Pack your own lunch and enjoy it on the picnic table at the lower bus stop. :) The few miles farther to Kantishan is insignificant unless you are staying there.

IF however you are talking about the Kantishna SHUTTLE bus- it is most all private property there and you essentially step off the shuttle bus and get back on. You are not allowed to wander all over.

Thanks Budget queen- you are a great help!

We went on the all day trip to Kantishna and loved it. We had taken the shorter trip before and wanted as much time as possible in the park. We were on a tour that allowed us only one full day in Denali. The ride is long but we had a group on our bus that were all interested in seeing wildlife and very good at identifying it. We had a nice lunch and about two hours to wander around at Kintishna. From the bus we saw a beaver building a dam, several moose, many caribou, and a grizzly with two cubs. It was one of the most memorable days of our vacation.

The Wonder Lake bus goes the exact same road as the above report, only about 5 miles shorter. With their wildlife "raves" it would have been the same from the 1/3 priced shuttle bus.

The shuttle buses also allow you to get out anywhere and hike, if of interest, or park yourself at Wonder Lake- if McKinely is viewable, nice walk around the lake too.