Any advantage of staying at one over the other? What appeals to me about S. Denali is being about 80 mi closer to Anchorage when it's time to leave on the 3rd morning. But then if we're going to miss some great views, etc., I'd better rethink. What are your favorite lodging places in these locations?

What do you mean "South" Denali? Are you talking about accommodation south of Denali National Park entrance? If your reason for going to Denali is visiting Denali National Park why would you want to stay 80 miles south of the entrance? About 80 miles south of Denali National Park entrance Denali Stat Park is located. Is this where you are going?

On the Alaska Tour & Travel website, Talkeetna is also called South Denali Park. Is there no entrance to the park in that area?

No, Delores, there is only one entrance into the park, which is the one near the Visitor Center. Yes, it can be kind of confusing for your first trip. I prefer Healy, particularyly, the Denali Lakeview Inn, but there are lots of other nice B & Bs in the area, too. IMHO, Talkeetna is too far away to overnight there while visiting DNP. You may be closer to Anchorage, but you're a long way from the park. Just some thoughts to consider. It's a beautiful drive, so you won't mind being closer to the park.

Some misinformation here. There is plenty to consider at the Denali STATE parks which you CAN enter Denali Park, but only one entrance for the National Park, mile 240 on the Parks Highway. Determine WHAT are your interests and priorities. AND research the several state parks. http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/index.htm

IF your interest is getting into the National Park, then stay there, not elsewhere.

Dolores, if you are doing the shuttle bus trip into the park (HIGHLY recommended) then you'll want to be pretty close to the NP to get there early for your morning shuttle trip. You don't want to have to leave Talkeetna at 3 or 4 AM just to be closer to Anchorage on your last morning, do you?;-)

As a compromise, spend the first night in Glitter Gulch or in Healy, then spend the last night (after your shuttle trip) in Talkeetna. Then you'd have a long drive after the shuttle trip, but you'd also get your wish to be closer to Talkeetna.

Most tourism websites, like the one the OP refers to, speak of "South" and "North" Denali in reference to the National Park. No misinformation provided in reference to both posts made by OP, and because of those posts I assumed it was the National Park. Please ignore my posts, Delores, if you are referring only to the state park.

Dolores, consider yourself very lucky. You got terrific answers from two experts, BudgetQueen and BayouGal.
Talkeetna is located at mile 98.7 and
Denali National Park entrance is at mile 237.4.

Thanks to all of you for clearing this up. It is the D. National Park I'm talking about. I see Healy on the map but where is Glitter Gulch, right in that area? What lodging is it there you like?

Do you all think the AM Tundra tour is better to take than the PM? I would think there are more animals to be seen in the morning but then, there must be more fog/mist, too.

Dolores, take the shuttle bus (green school busses) tour that is the longest trip you think you can survive! BQ can advise us, but I think you could make the Wonder Lake trip this late in the summer. And you'd definitely want to leave as early as possible so you'd be able to get off and hike some if desired.

Glitter Gulch is the name (unofficial name) of all the hotels nearest the entrance of DNP. JMHO, but I'd skip those unless you find a great deal or have a 2 for 1 toursaver coupon. They're nice enough, but way too touristy an area for our tastes.

We stayed at Denali River Cabins and it was perfect for us. It is a rustic but clean place right on the river just a couple of miles from the entrance to Denali National Park. There is a pickup there for the bus that goes to Kantishna, there is a restaurant on the property and it is close to other restaurants, etc. One thing we really liked about it is that it isn't one of the hotels that cruise ships book for guests. It is smaller with individual cabins with porches.

I never recommend the Tundra Wilderness tour for independent travelers. Why pay triple the cost for half the distance in??? I only recommend the shuttles with Fish Creek, my min. distance, mile 63. more information www.nps.gov/dena
I am on the first bus, my preference only. It is well worth it for me to be entering Denali Park with it "waking up". Every trip is unique and take it for what gifts it can give you. Make the choices right for your preferences.

Glitter Gulch is right outside the park entrance. Loaded with costly hotels, and overrun with bus traffic. It isn't a place I recommend since independent travelers get "lost" in the shuffle of cruisetours. There are many nice small less costly and congested options to also consider.

BQ: Thank you for that tour information. All this time, I thought the green school buses did the Tundra Wilderness Tour. This is a bit complicated on times, places, buses, cost, etc. I just printed out the map page so that should make everything come together. Your advice is making my estimated costs go down, sure glad to see that. Thank you!!