State Parks and National Parks

Denali Highway

Once the original route to Denali National Park, the Denali Highway is now overlooked by many tourists.

Yet this scenic 136-mile highway rewards travelers with outstanding scenery, good wildlife viewing and a picture of Alaska as it used to be. The highway can be hiked or biked.

The highway connects Paxson on the east with Cantwell on the west. The entire route presents compelling glacial features and wildlife, including caribou, moose, black and grizzly bears, ptarmigans, trumpeter swans and other waterfowl.

No permits are required for camping on Bureau of Land Management-administered lands. There are two campgrounds with 46 sites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. All camping on BLM-managed lands, including campgrounds, is limited to 14 days.

The highway is paved for only the first 21 miles west of Paxson. The recommended maximum speed limit when no other vehicle is in sight is 30 mph.

Photo credits in order: Photo by James Thomson, courtesy of Bureau of Land Management. Photo by James Thomson, courtesy of Bureau of Land Management. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management.