Wonder Lake Campground
Mount McKinley, seen from Wonder Lake nps image Wonder Lake Campground Panoramic
At the foot of Mt. McKinley Wonder Lake Campground is at mile 85 on the Park Road. It offers 28 sites, which are all tent-only. It is the closest campground to Mt. McKinley. Though separated by nearly 26 miles, the sheer size of the mountain makes it loom impressively over Wonder Lake Campground. Cloudy skies can still obscure views, and mosquitoes can be fierce, but Wonder Lake on a clear day offers images that will last a lifetime. Wonder Lake is accessible by camper bus.
What to expect in Wonder There is no electricity, but potable water is available in the campground. Campers must use the food storage facilities in the campground for all food and scented items (e.g., toothpaste). Fires are not permitted at Wonder Lake. Wonder Lake is in a very wet part of the park, and mosquitoes plague the area for much of the summer. A head-net is very useful. A one mile trail leads from the campground to the McKinley River. Hiking off-trail in the area is permitted, though it can be boggy. Waterfowl can often be seen, either on Wonder Lake or the many ponds and small lakes in the area. Beavers, or evidence of them, can be found as well. Larger animals, like moose and grizzly bears, occasionally pass through the area. Download a map of the Kantishna / Wonder Lake area 
Beavers, or evidence of them, can often be seen in the Wonder Lake area
NPS photo / kent miller
Campground regulations Necessities. Toilets are near the campground entrance. Potable water is available at the campground. No fires are permitted at Wonder Lake. Be courteous. Quiet hours are between 10 pm and 6 am. Wildlife & food storage. Keep all food and scented items (e.g., toothpaste, sunscreen, ice chests/coolers, etc.) in the food storage building. Label and date your items. Keep a clean camp and wash your dishes immediately. Click here to learn more about wildlife safety. Fire. Fires are not permitted in Wonder Lake Campground. You must use a camping stove to cook meals. Pets. Pets are not permitted on camper buses. Click here for more pet information. Fishing. Fishing is permitted, and Wonder Lake sometimes yields trout and grayling. Click here for more fishing information. 
Wonder Lake is about a quarter-mile / five minute walk from Wonder Lake Campground. Mosquito head-nets are useful for most of the summer.
nps photo / kent miller
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Did You Know?
Did you know that Mount McKinley, located within Denali National Park and Preserve, is the highest mountain on the North American continent? Measured from the 2,000 foot lowlands to its snowy summit at 20,320 feet, the mountain’s vertical relief of 18,000 feet is greater than that of Mount Everest.