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National Park & Preserve

Denali National Park & Preserve

InformationOct 20, 2026

Road Open To: Mile 3 (Park Headquarters)

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a white colored sheep standing on a mountainside overlooking a green valley

Congress originally created Denali National Park (called Mount McKinley National Park, at the time) to protect wildlife, particularly Dall sheep

Photo: NPS Photo / Nathan Kostegian

About

Denali is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelers along it see the relatively low-elevation taiga forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America's tallest peak, 20,310' Mount McKinley. Wild animals large and small roam un-fenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await.

Activities

Arts and CultureAstronomyStargazingBikingCampingBackcountry CampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup CampingRV CampingClimbingMountain ClimbingDog SleddingFishing
Food
Flying
Guided Tours
Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
Hiking
Backcountry Hiking
Front-Country Hiking
Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
Hunting and Gathering
Gathering and Foraging
Hunting
Junior Ranger Program
Skiing
Cross-Country Skiing
Snow Play
Snowmobiling
Snowshoeing
Wildlife Watching
Park Film
Shopping
Bookstore and Park Store

Directions

You can drive to Denali from Anchorage or Fairbanks, along Highway 3, which is known as the "George Parks Highway." Fairbanks is about 2 hours north, while Anchorage is 5 hours south of the Denali entrance. You can also reach Denali from either city via the Alaska Railroad, which is operated by the State of Alaska.

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Weather

Summer is typically cool and wet, with highs typically in the upper 50s to low 60s, and lows in the 40s. On occasion, summer highs reach the low 80s, though this is rare. Snow can fall any month of the year, so be prepared for chilly weather even in summer. Fall colors emerge on the alpine tundra in August and in the low valleys in early September. Winter generally starts in mid-September, with temps often getting down to -40 by January. Spring is a short season in April / May, with highs above freezing.

News

Oct 15, 2026

National Park Service Expands Visitor Access at Denali National Park and Preserve

Under the final rule, up to 160 vehicles may travel each day on the restricted section of the park road during the park’s visitor season. The final rule brings the vehicle limit on the restricted section of the Denali Park Road in line with the park’s 2012 Vehicle Management Plan.

Denali National Park to Resume Fuels Reduction Project This Fall
Sep 30, 2026

Denali National Park to Resume Fuels Reduction Project This Fall

Denali National Park and Preserve and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service will continue fuels-reduction work this fall near the park entrance to reduce wildfire risk around park buildings, infrastructure and public-use areas.

Sep 14, 2026

Denali Park Road Opens to Private Vehicles to Teklanika Sept. 18

Denali National Park and Preserve will open the Denali Park Road to private vehicle traffic as far as Teklanika Rest Area at mile 30 beginning Friday, Sept. 18, weather and road conditions permitting.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person$15.00