Safety

Are You Prepared?

Denali National Park is a wild, wonderful place to visit, but it is important to know the hazards before you head out into the park. Explore the sections below to prepare yourself for your Denali visit.

Dial 9-1-1 in Emergencies - Be prepared to give your location as Denali National Park. Call to report accidents, fires, or life-threatening emergencies. Cell phone coverage exists only within three miles of the park entrance. Emergencies in areas without cell service should be reported to a park ranger, campground host, bus driver, or other employee.

 

Wildlife Safety

Keep wildlife wild and never feed or harass wildlife. Stay 300 yards from bears and 25 yards from other animals at all times.

Understanding Bear Behavior

The best preparation is education. Learn how to prevent bear encounters, how to read bear behavior, and what to do if you encounter a bear.

Using Bear Spray

Bear spray is strongly encouraged for all hikers in Denali. Learn how, when, and where to use bear spray.

Cycling Safety

Biking in Denali requires being prepared to share the road with bears and other traffic.

Weather

Snow can fall nearly any month of the year in Denali. Dress for the weather to stay warm and safe.

Alaska Wilderness Safety

Alaska is wild! Explore safety topics specific to the state such as river crossings, aviation safety, and selecting appropriate gear.

 

Wilderness Safety in Denali

Even experienced wilderness travelers can have an accident that results in an injury or even death. Accidents are possible anywhere—so the information below is important to all visitors.

• Wildlife
  Wildlife can behave unpredictably. Do not intentionally approach wildlife. Read the Wildlife Safety section for more details.
  
• Plants
  Do not eat berries unless you know what they are and are sure you have no allergy to them. There are no poison oak, sumac or ivy species in the park, but some other plants can cause allergic reactions, such as cow parsnip.
  
• Hypothermia
  Hypothermia is always a factor in the subarctic. Rainy, chilly days are normal in summer. Dress in layers, preferably made of wool or synthetic material that is able to insulate you even when wet. Bring rain gear or an umbrella.
  
• Injuries
  Be wary of falls. Most of Denali is trail-less, and long hikes are often on a route of your own choosing. If you are hiking up a rocky hill or mountain, be careful of your footing. More people die from falls than any other cause in the park.
  
• Don't go alone
  You should always hike with at least one other person. Even then, make sure someone else knows where you're going. Have that person contact us if you are overdue from your trip.
  
• Know thyself
  Even if you plan to stay on trails or the park road the entire time you are here, keep in mind that even the entrance of Denali is several hours from the nearest hospital. Locations on the park road (i.e., during a bus trip) are even more remote. If you know you have a medical condition, such as a heart problem, talk to your doctor about your travel plans to see if there is anything you should do to ensure a safe trip.

More information on wilderness travel can be found in our backcountry camping webpages.