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Contact: Kris Fister, 907-683-9583
Due to a deteriorating snowpack, Denali National Park and Preserve Superintendent Paul Anderson 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 on both sides of the Alaska Range. All park lands that were open for traditional snowmobile use are now closed for the season. Even in areas such as Broad Pass and near Cantwell, the warmer temperatures and long days have reduced snow depths to a level that is no longer adequate to protect vegetation and soils. All lands within the former Mount McKinley National Park on both the north and the south sides of the Alaska Range are closed to all snowmobile use by federal regulation. The Denali Park Road is currently open for travel by private vehicles to the Teklanika River Rest Area at Mile 30. The road will be open for travel to that point through Monday, May 19. The shuttle bus system will begin its seasonal operations on Tuesday, May 20 to provide access beyond the Savage River to destinations further west on the park road. The first fifteen miles of the park road will remain open for travel by park visitors in private vehicles throughout the summer season. Visitor information and backcountry permits are currently available at the Murie Science and Learning Center (Mile 1.3) from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily. The Denali Visitor Center and the Backcountry Information Center will open on Thursday, May 15, with daily hours of 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. respectively. The Riley Creek Campground is open and fees will be charged beginning May 15. Additional campgrounds are scheduled to open on Tuesday, May 20. Trip planning and other park information is available on the park website at www.nps.gov/dena. Visitors can also obtain information by calling park headquarters at (907) 683-2294 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily. -NPS- |
Last updated: April 14, 2015