News Release

Denali Initiates Winter Planning Effort

Date: October 9, 2018
Contact: Katherine Belcher, [phone]

As winter visitation continues to increase, Denali is seeking public input on ways to improve the visitor experience in winter and spring/fall off-seasons, also known as shoulder seasons. Learn about concepts under consideration and read info about the planning effort.

Members of the public are invited to share their thoughts and comments about management of Denali’s winter and shoulder seasons at upcoming public meetings or in writing. Written comments may be mailed to the park or comments may be submitted online (and should be submitted by Nov. 30, 2018). The mailing address for comments is:

Denali Park Planning
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755

Public informational meetings regarding the winter and shoulder season planning effort will be held at the following locations:

Denali National Park                             
Murie Science and Learning Center                  
Oct. 22, 2018, 5:30-7:30 pm                     
Presentation at 6 pm                

Fairbanks
Morris Thompson Cultural Center
Oct. 23, 2018, 6-8 pm
Presentation at 6:30 pm

While the winter and shoulder season planning effort is underway, Denali will continue to plow the Park Road to the Mountain Vista Rest Area (mile 12) beginning in February. The park began a five-year trial period of winter plowing to Mountain Vista in 2014 to provide additional opportunities for winter visitors and monitor the resource impacts from plowing. This trial period ended in early 2018 and was extended for up two seasons while planning is ongoing.

Denali receives most of its visitors during the summer, but the park is open year-round and visitation in the off-season is growing. Visitation between October and April has increased approximately 350 percent during the past five years, while annual visitation during the same period increased much less dramatically, by approximately 17 percent.

Meals, lodging and other services are available year round in the communities of Healy and Cantwell. Free camping is available in the Bear Loop of the park’s Riley Creek Campground. A vault toilet is provided and water is available at the Murie Science and Learning Center. The Murie Science and Learning Center is open daily 9:30 am to 5 pm as the winter visitor center, providing information and backcountry permits.
 

• Learn about visiting Denali in winter 
• Learn more about the Winter and Shoulder Season Plan
• Email Jennifer Johnston, Outdoor Recreation Planner, or call her at 907-683-6240