What is the difference between Denali State Park and Denali National Park?
Denali National Park is where the tourists go, although we local backpackers & hikers love it too. It is one of the best opportunities for viewing of wildlife & scenery. In contrast, Denali State Park is accessed mainly for wilderness hiking & backpacking.
How many days do you need in Denali National Park?
Located far from any airport or large city, Denali is a wilderness park. Reaching the park can take several hours (or even most of a day), so we recommend that you plan a minimum itinerary of 2 nights in the area, which gives you one full day and part of two others.
What month does Denali National park open?
Operating Hours & Seasons The main season for visitors is May 20 through the second or third week in September, though there is plenty to see and do outside of the summer. There is just one road in Denali and it is closed for most of the winter, though the park remains open for winter recreation.
Can you hunt in Denali State park?
Hunting in Denali Sport hunting is only permitted within Denali National Preserve. Subsistence hunting and trapping by eligible local rural residents is permitted on park and preserve lands added by ANILCA, but not within the former Mt. McKinley National Park.
Do I need a car in Denali?
A car isn’t really a necessity once you arrive in Denali, however, so consider taking the train right to the park entrance instead. Alaska Railroad’s “Denali Star” connects the park to Anchorage and Fairbanks, and makes a stop right at the entrance of Denali during the summer season (mid-May through mid-September).
What is the closest town to Denali National Park?
What is the closest city to Denali? The closest city of any size is Fairbanks, Alaska. It’s located 125 miles northeast of the entrance to Denali National Park.
Are there any hiking trails in Denali National Park?
Trail hiking. There are not very many marked trails in Denali, and most of the trails here are short (less than 2 miles) and near the park entrance. One of the reasons Denali exists is to provide people with a place to explore a trail-less wilderness, and a result of this is a limited trail network. Off-trail hiking.
How to get to wonder lake in Denali?
Located at mile 85, you can reach Wonder Lake with either a Wonder Lake or Kantishna shuttle bus. Bus service to Wonder Lake occurs from June 8 to mid-September each year. There is one trail in this area, called the McKinley River Bar Trail, leading from Wonder Lake Campground to the McKinley River.
Is the Denali National Park open in the winter?
Denali National Park features the highest mountain in North America. Forests, tundra, and glaciers cover the 6 million acres. Visitors can experience dog sledding, cross country skiing, backpacking and camping. Denali is open year-round, though facilities and services are more limited in winter than in summer.
Where is the visitor center in Denali National Park?
Located at mile 66, you can reach this center by any shuttle bus traveling to Eielson or beyond. On a clear day, the entire area offers magnificent views of Denali. The Tundra Loop is around a third of a mile through alpine country, very close to the visitor center.