News Release

Application Period for 2020 Denali Road Lottery is Open

Date: June 1, 2020
Contact: G.W. Hitchcock, [phone]

The application period for the 2020 Road Lottery program at Denali National Park and Preserve (Denali) is open June 1 to 30. This application period is different from past years, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
“The park decided in April, that with so much uncertainty around the pandemic and travel, it would be beneficial to the public to delay the entry period,” said Denice Swanke, Acting Superintendent, “This change will have no impact on the program, other than allowing the public some additional time to plan for their participation in Road Lottery this September.” 
 
The Road Lottery will take place September 18 – 22, with September 19 being reserved for Military Appreciation Day. Learn more about the Denali Road Lottery. 
 
The lottery entries and drawings are handled through www.recreation.gov. Applications are available by navigating to the website and searching for “Denali Road Lottery.” All applicants must pay a $15 application fee that covers the cost of conducting the lottery. Lottery winners must then pay a $25 permit fee to drive the Park Road on their selected date. Everyone who submits an entry application will be notified about their entry status. Those who are selected will also receive an email confirming the day of their permit, with additional information on how to obtain the road permit and how to prepare for their visit to the park. Information about application status or use of the website should be submitted online to Recreation.gov, or by calling [phone]. Applications by mail are no longer accepted.  
 
Military Appreciation Day will be held September 19. This day is reserved for active-duty service members and their families. Lottery tickets for Military Appreciation Day are not handled by www.recreation.gov, but are distributed through the Alaskan Command (ALCOM), which is a joint operations command including all Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy units stationed in Alaska. This command is stationed out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. 
 
Read additional information about the road lottery, such as vehicle restrictions, bringing pets, and other rules and regulations
 
Since its inception in 1990, the Road Lottery has been very popular program with the public. More than 13,000 lottery applications are received on average, giving the public about a 1-in-7 chance of winning a coveted spot.  
 
This year, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the park has implemented a timed-entry vehicle road permit in addition to the Road Lottery. The time-entry permits are separate from the Road Lottery permits and are available for select dates during the summer that are prior to the Road Lottery dates. Learn more about timed-entry vehicle permits  
 
The Riley Creek, Savage River and Teklanika River campgrounds will be open during the Road Lottery, weather permitting. Campsites are not included in the road permit, but can be reserved in advance via www.reservedenali.com or 800- 622-7275. Information on campgrounds and accommodations outside the park is available through the Denali Chamber of Commerce (907- 683-4636).