Last updated: February 4, 2025
Place
Original McKinley Park Headquarters
Henry P. Karstens Collection, 2292, Karstens Library
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Cellular Signal
Although Congress created Mount McKinley National Park (now known as Denali National Park and Preserve) in 1917, the park had no rangers until 1921. That summer, Harry Karstens arrived, and began the slow, dangerous work of establishing the rule of law in the new park.
After a summer of positioning and meeting people, and a long patrol through the park, Karstens began clearing land for his headquarters on the northwest bank of Riley Creek, upstream from the bridge. The location offered an ideal place to monitor people using the trail leading west to the park. Headquarters moved to its current location at Mile 3.4 on the Park Road in 1925.
After a summer of positioning and meeting people, and a long patrol through the park, Karstens began clearing land for his headquarters on the northwest bank of Riley Creek, upstream from the bridge. The location offered an ideal place to monitor people using the trail leading west to the park. Headquarters moved to its current location at Mile 3.4 on the Park Road in 1925.