News Release

Approximately 300 Visitors Safely Evacuated from Denali Park Road

Date: August 16, 2019
Contact: Paul Ollig, Public Information Officer, 202-603-8974

Approximately 300 visitors to Denali National Park and Preserve became temporarily stranded west of Polychrome Pass this afternoon due multiple slides along the park road. Denali road crews were immediately dispatched and worked tirelessly to clear the debris from the road. Within three hours, a lane was cleared and the 17 buses gathered at the Toklat Rest Area were allowed to safely continue east to the park entrance.

“Our team did an outstanding job responding to multiple debris slides along a pretty remote section of road,” said Erika Jostad, Denali National Park and Preserve Chief Ranger. “The geohazard team monitored conditions while the road crew was clearing debris. It was a great example of teamwork.”

The superintendent has closed the Denali Park Road to all traffic at mile 30, the Teklanika Rest Stop, due to unsafe conditions at multiple locations in the areas surrounding Polychrome Pass and Eielson Visitor Center. The closure will continue through the night while crews continue to address hazard areas. 

Park Ranger Dan Irelan was stationed at the Toklat Rest Area to assist with those impacted by the slides. “Visitors seemed to be in good spirits despite the delay in getting back to the park entrance,” he said. “They were soggy, but cheerful!”

The park experienced similar debris flows last week which led to a day-long traffic restriction on the Park Road to allow road crews to assess conditions and make necessary repairs. The traffic restriction was lifted on August 9. Persistent and heavy rains in the area since August 1st have kept the road surface and surrounding tundra saturated with water. Landslide and debris flow events increase in likelihood during periods of prolonged rain or moisture. The regional weather service predicts rain to continue throughout this evening and into the morning, causing this situation to remain dynamic. However, forecasts call for clearing and dryer conditions beginning Saturday, August 17, which should improve conditions. The park is anticipating reopening the road tomorrow.