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Shuttle buses - an explanation
Camper buses - for campers & backpackers
Shuttle bus destinations

What do shuttle buses do?

All shuttle buses, regardless of destination, are designed to move people around within the park. You’re not limited to staying on the bus in which you originally started. This is the type of bus you want to take if you’re interested in a day hike, or just want to experience the park off the bus for a while. When you’re ready to re-board, you can flag down any other shuttle bus going in your desired direction - i.e., farther into the park, or back towards the entrance. Re-boarding is on a seat-available basis, so be prepared to wait for a bus with ample seating. This may take up to an hour, so plan accordingly.

What happens on a shuttle bus?

Trips on the shuttle buses are informal. The drivers provide basic park and safety information, assist you in spotting wildlife along the road and answer questions, but do not provide formal narration.

Bring food and beverages with you. No food or drink is available once you depart the Wilderness Access Center. Rest stops occur around every ninety minutes throughout the trip.

All shuttle buses are GREEN. Tickets are priced based on destination. There are over twenty shuttle buses each day in mid-summer, all of which go to a pre-specified place on the Park Road, where they turn around and travel back to the entrance of the park. There are four such destinations to choose from: Toklat River, Eielson Visitor Center, Wonder Lake and Kantishna.

Click here to learn more about shuttle bus destinations

 

Camper buses

Dedicated and specially configured (the rear seats have been removed to accommodate backpacks and bicycles), camper buses are used to transport visitors to campgrounds and/or backcountry units within the park.

Camper buses can carry two bikes on a space available basis. Check at the Reservation Desk at the Wilderness Access Center (WAC) to reserve space for bikes.

Click here to learn more about cycling in Denali

Camper buses may only be reserved in advance for those visitors with campground reservations or a backcountry permit.

• Camper bus reservations for backcountry users: Available in person at the WAC after obtaining a backcountry permit at the Backcountry Information Center, adjacent to the WAC.
• Camper bus reservations for campground users: Camper bus Reservations may be made after campground sites are reserved.

Camper bus service: June 1 – September 16, 2010 (weather permitting). Prior to 6/1, backcountry users will use regular shuttle buses, after obtaining their backcountry permit.