Access to Denali National Park varies depending on the time of year. A year-round visitor center can be reached by calling 907-683-9532. Information can be found on the Denali National Park & Preserve website.
Answers to FAQ’s can be found below and on the following tabs.
- What are other ways to experience Denali National Park? Because DNP only has one road, other viewing options are restricted to flight seeing. However, there are also a few businesses who offer back-country access in specialty tours.
- What is the Denali Road Lottery? Each September the park hosts a four-day event called “Road Lottery.” During these four days, winners of a lottery drawing are given a chance to purchase a single, day-long permit, allowing them to drive as much of the Denali Park Road as weather allows. In years with early snow, the Park Road might open no farther than Savage River (Mile 15); in milder years, lottery winners are able to enjoy a trip out to the end of the park road (Mile 92). An extra (fifth) day of lottery, called Military Appreciation Day, is open only to active-duty military service-members and their families. The military is in charge of distributing road travel permits for Military Appreciation Day. You can learn about road lottery here.
- How can I get around in Denali National Park? There are a number of free shuttles operating in the first 15 miles of the Denali Park Road. You can use them to access the Denali Park Visitor Center, trails, dog kennels and more. You can view route and schedules here: Free Buses – Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Hiking in Denali National Park is one of the top activities for visitors. No matter your level of experience or length of stay, there is a trail just for you!
Visit this link for a comprehensive list of trails inside Denali National Park.
- What about lodges inside the park? There are a number of private accommodations available in Denali National Park. They are different from most other national parks, in that the lodging is deep within Denali Park (92 miles), rather than at the entrance. Those accommodations can be found here.
- Which bus tour is better? There is ONE road into Denali National Park, so no matter what tour you select, you will start and end at the same place. The difference is in how far along the road you travel. Tour options and reservations can be made at www.reservedenali.com There will be modified tours in place for the 2022-23 seasons, as DNP works to permanently repair a landslide at mile 43 on the Denali Park Road. Bus tours will not be offered past this location during this time.
- What about transit buses? Transit buses provide transportation between campgrounds and facilities, they do not offer tours. They are a great option for individuals who would like to explore on foot, as you can get on and off any transit bus for the day. The 2022 schedule can be found here.
These maps shows the distance between nearby communities and the Denali Park entrance. Traffic is minimal, and most accommodations and excursions are within 20 minutes of Denali Park Entrance.
Denali National Park is accessible year-round. Visit this page to find information on what is available and when.
