State Parks and National Parks

Denali National Park and Preserve, established in 1917, surrounds Denali, the highest mountain in North America.

Also known as Mount McKinley, the mountain is one of the greatest vertical rises in the world. From its base to its summit, Denali pushes straight up with almost no intervening hills.

The park features great scenery including tundra and dense boreal forest and plenty of wildlife. At 6 million acres, the park is slightly smaller than Massachusetts.

Vehicle traffic is restricted on the park road beyond Mile 15 from the third weekend in May until mid-September. Before that time, the road is open to private vehicles up to Mile 31. The road is also open to Mile 31 after the shuttle buses stop running in mid-September, weather conditions permitting.

The shuttle buses, which run the weekend before Memorial Day weekend through mid-September, travel regularly from the Wilderness Access Center to several locations on the park road, including the Toklat River (a six-hour round trip) and Wonder Lake (an 11-hour round trip).

Although the park road closes in winter beyond park headquarters at Mile 3, both it and the backcountry are open to snowshoers, skiers and dogsledders (mushers).

Denali offers exciting hikes for novice to experienced hikers. The only maintained trails are in the entrance area.

Overnight stays in the backcountry require a permit. Bear-resistant food containers are distributed along with your permit. Campfires are not permitted in the wilderness.

Mount McKinley and Mount Foraker climbers must register 60 days before beginning their ascents.

The fishing is generally poor. Park rivers contain a milky suspension of silt or rock flour that fish cannot tolerate. Arctic grayling are found in a few mountain streams and lake trout are caught in Wonder Lake.

Sport hunting is permitted in the Denali Preserve. Please call for more information on hunting.

Park rangers offer guided walks, campground talks and sled dog demonstrations. From mid-May to mid-September, hotel lodging, food service, groceries and camping supplies are available near the park entrance.

There is a small camper convenience store near the Riley Creek Campground and a food court near the new Denali Visitor Center.

Biking is only permitted on park roads.