• Image of Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range

    Denali

    National Park & Preserve Alaska

Directions

A hiker studies a map while standing on the Denali Park Road
Photo by Rick McIntyre
 

Getting Here

Car

There is one road entrance into Denali. The entrance is along Alaska Highway 3 (also called the George Parks Highway) about 240 miles north of Anchorage, 120 miles south of Fairbanks, and 12 miles south of Healy - the nearest year-round community.

In Talkeetna, about 100 miles north of Anchorage and 140 miles south of the park entrance, you'll find Denali's mountaineering headquarters.

Train

Alaska's state-owned railroad connects Anchorage to Fairbanks, and runs directly through the entrance of Denali. For more information please visit the Alaska Railroad.

Plane

Air travel to either Anchorage (ANC) or Fairbanks (FAI) is the easiest entry to Alaska. Then you'll want to use a car, bus or train to reach Denali. If you are flying your own airplane to Denali, see our pilot information.

Other Transportation

In summer a variety of private bus and van services operate daily from Anchorage and Fairbanks. Contact a travel agent or search the web for available companies operating along Highway 3.

Getting Around in Denali

The Denali Park Road is open to private vehicles for 14.8 miles to the Savage River Bridge. Public travel to destinations farther into the park requires shuttle and tour bus services. Bicycles and pedestrians are permitted to travel on any part of the park road, barring temporary, wildlife-related closures.

 

Traveling Elsewhere in Alaska?

A hugely useful resource for planning more of your vacation in Alaska is the Alaska Public Lands Information Centers, or "Alaska Centers" for short.

www.alaskacenters.gov

Did You Know?

This slump occurred as underlying permafrost melted

Warmer temperatures have led to dramatic thawing of permafrost. Thaw releases carbon, as once-frozen materials decompose, but allows increased plant growth. Researchers in Denali are studying whether thawing permafrost will increase or decrease world-wide carbon emissions.