20 Best Sights in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

In the heart of mainland Alaska, within 6-million-acre Denali National Park and Preserve, the continent's most majestic peak rises into the heavens. Formerly known as Mt. McKinley, this 20,310-foot massif of ice, snow, and rock has been renamed to honor its Alaska Native name, Denali, or "the High One." Some simply call it "the Mountain." One thing is certain: it's a giant among giants, and the most dominant feature in a land of extremes and superlatives. Those who have walked Denali's slopes know it to be a wild, desolate place. As the highest peak in North America, Denali is a target of mountaineers who aspire to ascend the "seven summits"—the tallest mountains of each of the seven continents. A foreboding and mysterious place, it was terra incognita—unclimbed and unknown to most people—as recently as the late 1890s. Among Athabascan tribes, however, the mountain was a revered landmark; many generations regarded it as a holy place and a point of reference. The mountain's vertical rise is the highest in the world. This means that at 18,000 feet over the lowlands (which are some 2,000 feet above sea level), Denali's vertical rise is even greater than that of Mt. Everest at 29,035-feet (which sits 12,000 feet above the Tibetan plateau, some 17,000 feet above sea level). Denali's awesome height and its subarctic location make it one of the coldest mountains on Earth, if not the coldest. Primarily made of granite, Denali undergoes continual shifting and uplift thanks to plate tectonics (the Pacific Plate pushing against the North American Plate); it grows about 1 millimeter per year.

Famous for its views of Denali, the Eielson Visitor Center is at Mile 66 of the park road. Rangers are present throughout the day, either leading presentations or hikes such as the leisurely Eielson Stroll. While there is a small gallery of Denali-inspired art here, this visitor center is all about the view, dominated—with a little luck—by the mountain itself. Historically, the center opens on June 1 and closes on the second Thursday after Labor Day; it's open daily 9–5:30. It's accessible by any of the shuttle buses that pass Mile 66, excluding the Kantishna Experience tour. For backpackers, the bathrooms remain unlocked 24-hours a day during the summer. The visitor center is currently closed due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide; it's expected to reopen when the road is repaired, by summer 2027.

These buses serve permitted backpackers and those staying in campgrounds along the road. Seats in the back of the bus are removed for gear storage and there is room for two bikes (the bike spaces must be reserved ahead of time). While there is no formal narration, bus drivers aren't likely to let you miss anything important. The $40 pass includes transportation anywhere down the road as far as Wonder Lake for the length of the backpacker's stay; kids under 16 are free. Tell the driver ahead of time where you'd like to get out.

A nonprofit located on 10 acres of forest across from Denali National Park, the center offers intensive learning experiences that range from a variety of all-inclusive weeklong Road Scholar programs to youth programs, including hands-on research in conjunction with the National Park Service and backpacking trips for high schoolers. Public events, as well as day and evening dinner programs, are offered at intervals throughout summer.

No matter whether you visit on foot, bike, or bus, you'll want to utilize the Denali road system as much as possible. Personal vehicles are only allowed the first 15 miles of the 92-mile long road, and most of the best potential views and wildlife are beyond this 15-mile marker. The view from the Eielson Visitor Center and Wonder Lake are the park's most iconic and these are located at miles 66 and 85, respectively.

But amazing views of the rolling tundra, foothills, and grizzly bears can be had almost anywhere. Take your time and if possible, spend multiple days either taking bus tours, hiking, or biking through the park to give yourself the best chance of an unforgettable view or wildlife encounter.

While the park is never technically closed, much of the road is snowed in during the winter months. Depending on the snowfall, travel along the park road can be hampered in spring and fall as well. The road is generally open up to Mountain Vista (mile 13) by mid-February. Check the park's website before visiting to stay up-to-date on any road closures. 

Open from mid-May through late September, the center lies 1.5 miles beyond the park's entrance and includes two floors of interpretive exhibits detailing the park's natural and cultural history along with several life-size representations of the park's largest animals. A theater on the main floor plays the 20-minute film The Heartbeats of Denali twice an hour. The center is the starting point for most ranger-led hikes and several other trails you can explore independently. This is also the place to get backcountry camping permits (permits aren't necessary for day hikes). Nearby facilities include the railroad and bus depots, the Morino Grill, and the Alaska Geographic bookstore. There are no real attractions here in the park's historic district, but several footpaths allow you to admire the architecture of structures built as early as 1926. The sled dog kennels are the biggest draw, and multiple presentations are held there throughout the day.

The McKinley Station trail begins at the Visitor Center and follows a winding path toward Riley and Hines Creeks. While the trail drops more than 100 feet during its 1.5-mile-long path, the grade is never very steep and is made of compacted gravel for easy walking. Easy.

You can reach this picnic area at mile 13 by private vehicle, but parking can be hard to find during busy times, so consider taking the park shuttle. In addition to multiple picnic tables, there are bathroom facilities, and on clear days, you can glimpse the mountain. The Savage River Alpine Trail is next to the picnic area. This spot can get windy, so be prepared. From fall through spring, access is dependent on road conditions.

An offshoot from some of the park entrance's tamer trails, this rugged route best suited to experienced hikers comprises native plants, rocks, and roots. Footing can be challenging on the steep portions and the switchbacks. It gains 1,700 feet in 2.5 miles and takes about four hours round-trip, with outstanding views of the Nenana River and the Alaska Range, including the upper slopes of Denali. You are permitted to hike the ridge, but it's not maintained and can be dangerous. From the top hikers can take in the view of the park entrance and area to the south. It's often cold and windy at the summit, so wear appropriate clothing. Difficult.

Next to the Denali Visitor Center, Murie Science and Learning Center is the foundation of the park's science-based education programs, and also serves as the winter visitor center when the Denali Visitor Center is closed. Hours during the summer vary, and the center usually opens only for special presentations. During off-season camping at the Riley Campground, it's the go-to spot for ranger information and, yes, bathrooms with running water.

This covered pavilion just inside the park entrance near Riley Creek is accessible year-round and has a couple of bathrooms nearby. Be careful near the creek—the river is beautiful and shallow, but it flows very quickly much of the year depending on snowmelt and precipitation.

After following the Taiga Trail for a short time, the Rock Creek Trail splits to the west and offers a steeper, challenging, and quieter journey through the woods. Farther from the road than many of the trails near the park entrance, this 30-inch-wide trail can have a steep grade at times of up to 15%. All together the trail runs about 2.5 miles one-way, ending at the Sled Dog Kennels. Moderate.

Running about 4 miles, this trail system connects the Savage River pullout and campground areas. You can use the Savage River Shuttle to access the trailhead or your personal vehicle. Note that if you're using your own vehicle, the trail spits you out about 2 miles down the road system. If you park at one end, you can use the park's shuttle service to get back to your vehicle. Access is dependent on the weather. The trail isn't accessible for most of the winter. Moderate.

Located at mile 15, the Savage River stop is where the concrete ends and private vehicles must turn around. Near the river are a couple of uncovered picnic tables and seasonally available bathroom facilities. Two trailheads start from the picnic area. One of these, the Savage Alpine Trail, connects with the Mountain Vista picnic spot, while the Savage Canyon Trail runs along the river. Like the picnic area at Mountain Vista, it can get windy here. Access is dependent on weather conditions from fall through spring.

True to its name, the River Loop follows the Savage River up the valley carved between Mount Margaret and Healy Ridge for about a mile. The trail crosses a bridge before traveling down the valley and reconnecting with the Savage River Picnic Area. The trail is inaccessible during winter months. Moderate.

The park's shuttle and transit buses are a more informal, cheaper, and independent way to experience Denali. These buses are green-painted, converted school buses while the formally narrated tour buses are tan. While these trips are not formally narrated, the majority of bus drivers enjoy sharing information with riders, and the buses are equipped with speakers. Transit buses offer the freedom to disembark virtually anywhere along the road system and explore the park for yourself. Catching a ride back is as simple as returning to the road and waiting for the next transit bus to come by. Note that full buses will not stop, so it's possible to wait for an hour or more for your ride back. Like the narrated tours, transit buses are operated by Doyon/Aramark and bookings are made through the concessionaire. Reservations are not required, and about a quarter of the seats are saved for walk-ons. But if you're visiting during peak season, it's best to make reservations ahead of time to ensure availability. Schedules can be found on the National Park Service's Denali website; departure times are relatively reliable although they can fluctuate during the summer.

This simple forested trail that winds around the Denali Visitor Center and other buildings and connects with the bus and train depot. The trail is made of gravel with minimal grade, most explorers should be able to complete the loop in less than an hour. Access may be limited by snowfall in winter. Easy.

Guided bus tours offer the most informative introduction to the park. Each trip is led by a trained naturalist who drives the bus and gives a full narration. All tours include rest stops approximately every 90 minutes. Unlike the transit buses, you are not allowed to wander off on your own. The shortest is the five-hour Natural History Tour that travels to Teklanika at Mile 27. Besides moose and the occasional caribou, chances of seeing the park's large mammals are limited on this route, and glimpses of Denali are possible but not probable. The next longest option is the seven to eight-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour that reaches Stony Brook at Mile 62; this is the best choice for wildlife and photography enthusiasts. The longest narrated tour is the Kantishna Experience, a 12-hour extravaganza that runs the full 92 miles of park road to the old mining town of Kantishna. Advance reservations are required for all bus tours, and they can be made starting on December 1, with exact departure times fluctuating depending on demand and time of year. It's best to consult Doyon/Aramark for an exact schedule as departure times are often not set until a few days before.

At 9.5 miles one-way, the Triple Lakes Trail is the longest trail in the park. It starts at the Denali Visitor Center and runs south, crossing a pair of creeks and offering vistas at a trio of lakes. The trail is a mixture of gravel, roots, dirt, and rocks that features a relatively steep 20% grade in some sections. Plan on it taking about five hours one way before you reach the other trailhead on Highway 3, about 7 miles south of the park entrance. Difficult.

Also called the Bus Depot, this center just inside the park entrance is where you can reserve campgrounds and bus trips into the park. If you arrive after 7 pm, campground reservations are made at the Riley Creek Mercantile until 11 pm. There's also a coffee stand—your last chance for a cup of joe unless you bring the makings for campsite coffee with you.