Home to the tallest mountain in North America, centuries of human history, and iconic sled dogs, Denali National Park is a wilderness like no other. Spanning six million acres, this park takes you straight into the rugged heart of Alaska.
While the mountain and the park were formerly known as Mount McKinley, the mountain was officially renamed Denali in 2015. The name Denali translates to “the tall one” from Athabaskan, honoring not only the Indigenous heritage of the region but the sheer grandeur of the mountain.
Towering at a height of 6,190 meters, Denali is the third highest of the Seven Summits and a bucket list peak for mountain climbers. But while Denali National Park may be an adventurer’s dream, it’s by no means limited to mountaineers.
When you journey through Denali, you can enjoy cycling, fishing, and wildlife watching. The park is home to 69 species of birds and 39 species of mammals, including bears, wolves, caribou, and Dall sheep. However, the most recognizable animal here is the park’s sled dogs. Denali National Park has the only sled dog kennel in the National Park Service, with sled dogs having been used by rangers since the park was founded!
There is only one road cutting through Denali National Park, making for a secluded adventure. The rest of your exploring can be done on foot, either by hiking or backpacking on the marked trails or off-trail. On a Denali National Park tour from Anchorage, you can expect a truly wild experience.
Denali formed over 60 million years ago when tectonic uplift created the Alaska Range. It’s believed that people first inhabited the Denali region around 12,000 years ago and archaeological surveys are frequently conducted in the park.
Since 1903, people have attempted to summit Denali. The first successful summit was accomplished in 1913 by a group of four men, including Harry Karstens, who would later become the park’s first superintendent, and Walter Harper, the first Native Alaskan to reach the top. By 2023, nearly 50,000 people attempted to summit Denali — but the success rate is only 52%.
In 1917, Mount McKinley National Park was officially established, largely thanks to the efforts of conservationist Charles Sheldon who recognized the detrimental impact of hunting in the region. Originally named after President McKinley, it was still commonly referred to as Denali before being officially changed.
Denali has a significant cultural history as the traditional home of the Benhti Kenaga’, Denaakk’e, Dena’ina, Hwt’ana, and Hwtsaay Hwt’aene. In conjunction with conservation efforts, much has been done to preserve the Indigenous heritage of the people who have lived harmoniously with the land for centuries, with a subsistence lifestyle still being practiced today.
Denali can be visited all year round, with each season offering its own unique experiences. The best time to visit Denali National Park will largely depend on your preferences.
Summer, between June and August, is the peak visiting season in Denali. The main road is accessible to private vehicles while tour buses are running, providing opportunities for wildlife watching or learning about the natural history of the park. You can also take advantage of guided hikes, see the hills bloom with flowers, and enjoy longer daylight hours.
In the spring and fall, you can expect partial road closures, but there’s still plenty to see and do. During the spring, you can enjoy cycling along the park road or visiting the Murie Science and Learning Center to learn more about the park. The fall is an excellent time for day hikes and backpacking, and the aurora borealis starts to make a showing!
Denali thrives in the winter as the snow falls and temperatures drop, providing the perfect conditions for skiing, winter biking, and snowshoeing. You can even go mushing with a team of dogs on your own or with a guide! The long dark hours also present the ideal opportunity for experiencing the northern lights.
If you’re ready to explore this incredible corner of Alaska for yourself, our Alaskan Highlights Tour: Denali to the Kenai Fjords will take you right into the heart of this national park. We’ll get to experience a dog sledding demonstration, take a hike to the picturesque Horseshoe Lake, and summit the Mt. Healy Overlook for phenomenal views.
Our Denali National Park tours operate in the summer, so if you’re not feeling too adventurous you can also take one of the park’s bus tours. We also offer the opportunity to embark on a flightseeing tour of Denali for an unparalleled view of the mountains — you can even land on a glacier! This six-day tour continues on to the Kenai Fjords, providing a full immersion into Alaska’s incredible wilderness.
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