Denali National Park Information

There are many choices of times to vacation in Denali National Park. The park road is open from late May to mid-September, making this the most popular time to visit. In summer, there are up to 24 hours of daylight and it is also when the seasonal resorts and lodges open their doors for the summer season.

June is usually less crowded than July and August. In late August or early September, the tundra vegetation turns to rich tones of red, orange, and yellow and the animals ready themselves for the approaching winter.

Prior to the 1970s, the park road was open year-round to everyone. But in 1972, in a move to protect wildlife and prevent traffic jams and accidents, the National Park Service closed the road to most vehicle traffic. From then on, buses became the way that people could visit the national park. The road was open to private vehicles for only a couple of weeks each fall. Eventually though, it was decided even that limited driving adventures had grown so popular they were disrupting the park's wildlife. Now, visitors may drive all summer as far as Savage River (mile 15) before they have to turn around.
The National Park Service offers several bus trips, going as far as mile 29 on the park road.

There are several guided tour options however, that take visitors to the end of the road, 95 miles into the park to the small town of Kantishna.  These guided tours are an excellent way to see and learn about the geography, natural history and wildlife of Denali National Park. The most well known and highly recommended of these guided Denali tours is the Denali Backcountry Adventure.

Many other Alaska and Denali National Park tours to suit all tastes and adventure levels can be found by visiting Alaska Denali Tours.

Visit Alaska Denali Tours for more Alaska Vacation, Alaska Travel and Alaska Tour options.