Two Nights, Three Days in Denali (U.S. National Park Service) (2024)

FAQs

How many nights 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.

The climb takes approximately 17-18 days round trip from Base and we add an additional four days to allow for inclement weather, acclimatization and optimal summit attempts. The ascent requires intermediate mountaineering skills and is physically and mentally demanding.

In Denali National Park, cell service is only available within three miles of the park entrance, meaning that all tours into the park give you the opportunity to unplug, even if just for part of the day.

Denali charges an entrance fee year-round. Youth age 15 or younger are free. The America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series (Interagency Passes) are accepted.

Take a Flightseeing Trip

A flightseeing trip not only provides a chance to see Denali, it takes you into the heart of the Alaska Range. These flights leave from Talkeetna, the Denali National Park entrance, and even Anchorage, but the most popular is Talkeetna.

Denali's summit is 20,310. This is lower than camp 2 on Everest at the head of the Western Cwm, and 8,700 feet lower than the Everest summit. The effect of low oxygen above 26,000 feet is enormous, and is called the death zone. Without supplemental oxygen at that altitude, you will eventually die from lack of oxygen.

If you plan to drive it in one day, plan at least a 4 to 5-hour drive and additional time for stops.

Every summer morning, the northbound Denali Star Train departs Anchorage for the 356-mile, 12-hour journey to Fairbanks, with stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali National Park; while in Fairbanks, the southbound Denali Star embarks on the reverse.

There is only one road in Denali. Private vehicles can drive a small part of it, but most of the road is open only to bus traffic. Bus trips are available only in summer (mid-May through mid-September).

What is the closest town to Denali National Park? ›

Towns Near Denali National Park

The nearest community is the town of Healy, which is located about 11 miles north of the park entrance.

Denali is a great location for viewing the aurora because we are located at a far northern latitude and because there is very limited light pollution. Light pollution is found in towns, cities, and other developed areas where excessive artificial light brightens the natural environment.

You may also need a reservation at a few high-traffic sites. Frequent visitors, seniors, military, and others may save money on entrance fees with an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, also known an America the Beautiful or interagency pass.

The Access Pass may provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services. The Access Pass generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.

Savage River, Denali National Park and Preserve

Savage River can be reached on the Savage River Loop Trail, which is a 1.7-mile trail that begins at the Savage River parking lot. This scenic river has some small cascading falls which can be found just beyond the footbridge, 1 mile down the trail.

Is Denali worth visiting? The short answer is yes! If you are looking for an amazing wilderness adventure, look no further than Denali, Alaska! And if you are looking to travel comfortably and stay wilderness-adjacent, Denali can deliver that too.

Three types of free buses operate on the publicly-driveable portion of the Denali Park Road. These enable visitors without vehicles, or those who wish to leave their vehicle behind, to travel between various facilities, trails, campgrounds and day-use areas. All of these are free, and none require reservations.

It's also possible to visit the park in one day on a round-trip flightseeing tour from Anchorage; these tours often include glacier landings and a visit to the village of Talkeetna, located at the base of Mt. Denali.