Denali

There are many ways to experience Denali without actually having to climb it. Book a Denali tour by jeep or ATV to explore deep into the Alaska wilderness, or take a short hiking tour to Reflection Pond for spectacular views of Denali. Get up close and personal to North America’s highest peak with a flightseeing tour from Anchorage or Talkeetna. Choose a flight tour offering a glacier landing to step right out onto the ice-covered mountain yourself.

• Denali is so massive that it creates its own weather systems. Keep your eyes on the peak since it can appear out of thin air at any moment and then disappear just as quickly.

• The National Park Service charges visitors to enter the park, but most tours include Denali tickets.

• Pack plenty of layers as Alaska weather can change at any moment.

• Photographers will love the unobstructed views of Denali from Reflection Pond and the ample wildlife viewing opportunities—keep an eye out for Dall sheep.

• The farther you travel into the park, the bigger the mountain appears and the better your chances are of seeing it.

The Denali National Park entrance and visitor center is located about 250 miles (402 kilometers) north of Anchorage. Most private vehicles are prohibited past mile 15 (kilometer 24) on Denali Park Road. It’s easiest to arrive by car and then explore Denali by shuttle bus or guided bus tour.

The best time to visit is during the summer season, particularly if you’re intent on climbing Denali. This peak season typically runs from the end of May through the middle of September. The park gets the bulk of its visitors during the summer months. Winter can be a magical time to visit, too, with plenty of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and dogsledding opportunities.

Since the region around Denali is almost completely free of light pollution, it is a great place for both stargazing and viewing the northern lights. The sky has to be dark enough to see the lights. By mid-August the northern lights start to become visible, with your best chance of seeing them from September through April.

Denali’s main season is May 20 through the second or third week in September—that’s when the only road through the park will be open. While any visit will be spectacular, early September is especially fantastic. The road is open, the crowds are fewer, the wildlife are fattening up for winter, and the taiga turns scarlet.

As of mid-2023, two tours are available in Denali National Park: the Natural History Tour and the Tundra Wilderness Tour. The former is roughly 5 hours, concentrates on the park’s natural and cultural history, and travels to mile 17; the latter is also 5 hours, focuses on the park’s landscapes, and travels to mile 43.

Yes, it is worth it to go to Denali National Park. At more than 6 million acres, it is one of the largest wildernesses you will ever see. Unlike other U.S. national parks, there are few readerboards and fewer designated trails—this Alaskan gem is unadulterated nature, the kind not experienced in the Lower 48.

Two or three days is good for a stay in Denali National Park. With multiple days, you’ll have numerous chances to catch “the mountain”—Denali is often covered in clouds—plus you’ll get ample time to scout for wildlife, hike into the backcountry, and take one or both bus tours.

Unfortunately, there’s no real “best time” of day to fly over Denali—every day and time is different, and clouds can appear at any moment. Some say morning rides are smoother, but that’s not a given. And sunset can be a great time for light, weather depending. There’s no way to predict the continent’s tallest mountain.

The best way to explore Denali for most visitors is via bus tour—private vehicles aren’t allowed past mile 15. On a bus tour like the Tundra Wilderness Tour, you’ll get guided narration, a stop at all the iconic sights, and access to mile 43. Backcountry hiking and camping can’t be beaten if you're more outdoorsy.