News Release

2019 Closure of Northern Areas of Denali to Snowmobile Use Due to Inadequate Snow Cover

Date: March 19, 2019
Contact: Kathleen Kelly, [phone]

Due to longer days and warming temperatures, Denali National Park and Preserve Management has determined that there is no longer adequate snow cover for the use of snowmobiles for traditional activities in the 1980 additions to Denali National Park and Preserve that are north of the Alaska Range from the Parks Highway to the east side of the Toklat River.
 
These park lands that were open for snowmobile use are now closed for the season. Snow cover in the area is irregular and shallow, and there are large areas of exposed vegetation.
 
The snow cover south of the Alaska Range and from the Toklat River to the west near Lake Minchumina is still adequate for the use of snowmobiles for traditional activities in the 1980 additions to Denali National Park and Preserve, but riders should anticipate a closure in this area soon. River corridors have open water and the snowpack is diminishing quickly.
 
Riders are reminded that all lands within the former Mount McKinley National Park on both the north and the south sides of the crest of the Alaska Range are closed to all snowmobile use by federal regulation.
 

• Check out maps and GPS coordinates for the park and preserve boundaries.
• Learn more about snowmobiling in Denali