Northmole

Can anyone recommend where to stay around the Denali entrance? Should we plan on 2 days there to see anything? We'd like to take the train to the Park, stay somewhere nice, see what we can then head back to Anchorage and get our car rental. From there on to the Kenai Penninsula to spend several days around Homer and Seward. Does this sound like a good idea??? Also thank so much B.Q. I really appreciate your advice

BayouGal

We used the toursaver coupon book when we could last June, but most B & B prices were still better. If you are getting one/have one, look to see what they are offering there. There are some nice B & B's in the Healy area, but I think your options are limited to Glitter Gulch if going by train. We had pizza at the Denali Princess, but couldn't tell you anything else about the Princess lodge. (Pizza was good, wait was pretty long, and restaurant was crowded for an early dinner.) Friends of ours who went later in the summer last year liked the Perch Resort with its rustic cabins.

If we were not going to take the shuttle bus tour into Denali, then we'd skip DNP altogether. We would try for a flightseeing trip out of Talkeetna, however.

Good luck!

marymarra

we stayed at the Denali River Cabins--very nice, clean, cozy places right on the river (pricey, but everthing is up there); we were actually glad we did not take the train because everything is spread out and if you take the train you will be basically be stuck at the Princess (as in the cruise line) Lodge which was very crowded when we were there--that's where the pizza place is; the drive is easy and beautiful and gives you more flexibility. The rest of your itinerary sounds great.

We had a great dinner at the Perch, but again you need a car to go there as it is south of the entrance to the park.

Hope this helps,

Mary

BudgetQueen

For clairfication, a car would give you more touring and lodging options and with the train, you definately need two nights. The Parks Highway and rail just about parallel each other on this routing, so no real advantage to the train in my opinion. I have rode the entire distance of the Alaska RR and by far the most scenic portion is Anchorage/Seward.

Once at Denali Park, take the park shuttle to at least Fish Creek www.nps.gov/dena if not of interest, not worth the journey in my opinion.

If you have transportation- I really like Touch of Wilderness B&B, consistantly excellent. For a bargain, the Denali Park Hotel. Both require your own transportation. For lodging listings with transportation,- check listings. http://www.denalichamber.com/directo...ons/index.html

marymarra

thanks Budget Queen for clarifying what I was trying to say; I remember now that because of what time the train gets in that you do need two nights; really think about driving, IMO, it will make your trip more enjoyable. We actually had reservations on the train and, on advice, cancelled them; once I get to Denali and saw the lay of the land, we were so happy we had a car.

Hope this helps,

Mary

jq

We have stayed at denali sourdough cabins at denali entrance, and The Perch just south of the entrance next to denali river cabins. The sourdough cabins were rustic pine paneling and small but nice. Outside area was nothing to look at despite the front porch. The Perch cottages were more modern, not fancy, had more room but you were stuck there for eating. We checked out the Perch resturant but never got chance to eat there, as we got back from denali tour about 9pm. We were more interested in fast. We did have our free breakfast at the pizza place in front where they had small buffet. We ate in car on way to denali for early morning shuttle.