Denali State Park — Attraction in Alaska

Denali National Park, located in Alaska, is renowned for its breathtaking wilderness and iconic centerpiece, Denali, North America's tallest peak. Here's an overview of what makes Denali National Park such a remarkable destination:

Wildlife: The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and Dall sheep. Visitors often have the chance to spot these animals in their natural habitat, making it a prime location for wildlife enthusiasts.

Scenic Beauty: Denali's landscape is characterized by vast tundra, towering mountains, and pristine rivers. The park offers numerous scenic viewpoints and hiking trails that provide unparalleled views of Denali and its surroundings.

Mount Denali: Formerly known as Mount McKinley, Denali stands at 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) tall, dominating the skyline of the park. Its majestic presence is a focal point for many visitors, and viewing opportunities are weather-dependent but awe-inspiring.

Outdoor Activities: Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park offers ranger-led programs and interpretive exhibits that enrich the experience by providing insights into the park's natural and cultural history.

Preservation and Conservation: Denali National Park is committed to preserving its wilderness and wildlife. Conservation efforts aim to protect the delicate ecosystem and ensure future generations can continue to enjoy its natural beauty.

Accessibility: While some areas of Denali are accessible by road, much of the park remains wild and remote. Shuttle buses and guided tours provide access to different parts of the park, allowing visitors to explore its diverse landscapes and...

Denali National Park isn't a place you can visit in just a weekend or two. It has a wide range of activities to suit the taste of all those who venture out here.

Notice: My review is based on summer trips and doesn't cover differences in winter.

Denali is 7hrs drive from Anchorage (we flew in from there). Distance wise it's not bad, but the roads (in summer) are ALWAYS under construction from damages in winter, so expect bumpy sections and delays. However, the drive is super beautiful and give lots of photo opportunities.

ACTIVITIES: 5/5 Hiking, camping...or take a plane up to the glaciers ($$$ but very pretty and not at all tiring).

COST: 4/5 Multiple cost options here. Most basic is just entrance ticket, which will let you go on your own MAXIMUM to Savage River point. Lots of hiking and trekking opportunities here still.

However if you want to go inside, to other famous points like Denali peak or Wonder Lake, you MUST buy a shuttle ride. Summer months sell out like crazy so PreBook tickets to be safe. Also note that they work like airplane ticket - with a timeslot and NO refund for missing your time slot. Shuttle ticket vary with your destination.

Camping overnight needs additional permit.

NOTICE: Some very pretty photo destinations will require you to camp overnight inside the park - we headed for Wonder Lake hoping to get that famous shot but realized the bus ride was 8hr one way + 3hr trek to that photo spot...was not...

This is a huge and beautiful park. I could.nit get enough of the beautiful mountains. There are 2 ways to see the entire park offered by the State Park - a shuttle bus and a wilderness/historic tour busses. These are 4 to 6 hours tours with the shuttle bus option being an inexpensive option. Very little can be done on your own. The shuttle busses run on a timely manner and everyone is very helpful. The shuttle bus driver can drop you off at any point if you would like to get off for any trails. The shuttle busses can pick you up any where in the road. The wilderness and historical tours are a pricier option which we cancelled last minute as the exact time is allowed 48 hours before the tour date. You only have a time window to pick while booking - morning or afternoon but the time assigned can be anywhere in a 4 hour window. You have cancellation fee if any changes are. Made a week in advance. Some trails are around the visitor center. The best thing we did was visit the dog kennels which included a presentation and dog petting. The rangers were amazing and educated us with all the historical facts and information. Not many animals sighting though. We saw some moose. Come prepared for cold/wet weather even in summer. Definitely go to the Denali...