Denali National Park is one of Alaska’s most iconic sites and a must-see for any visitor. Starting in Anchorage you can quickly connect with the Parks Highway (Highway 3) that will take you directly to Denali, while passing through landscapes dotted with lakes, mountains and moose.
Drive for about 30 minutes before detouring onto Eklutna Lake Road for a stop at Eklutna Lake. The picturesque area has mountains stretching as far as the eye can see, and
Eklutna Village—the oldest continuously inhabited Native American and Russian Orthodox settlement in the area. Dating to 1650, visitors can take a guided tour to learn about the Dena’ina Athabascans and Russian Orthodox who settled the area.
Plan a picnic lunch at
Nancy Lake State Park. As the name suggests, the park is filled with lakes, making it an ideal place to get out on the water in a kayak or canoe. The area is flat, but its forests still make for a beautiful, if easy, hike.
If you like kitsch, detour off the highway to
Talkeetna. The town was the model for the 1990s TV series Northern Exposure, and is the vision most people have of a gold mining town brought to life. It’s also a good place to find local, handmade souvenirs.
Before you pull into Denali National Park, stop at the Denali Viewpoint. It’s one of the best places to get unobstructed, sweeping views of the park.
Denali National Park is a massive six million acre outdoor paradise. The focal point of the park is Denali Mountain, the highest peak in the country (Formally known as Mt. McKinley) There are several campgrounds in Denali National Park that can accommodate RVs. You must
reserve in advance.
Denali is primarily a car free zone so travel within the park is done by transit or tour bus. If you want to learn more about the park and view wildlife the National History Tour, Tundra Wilderness Tour or Kantishna Experience Tour are your best options. If you want to hike, bike, or fish it’s better to opt for the transit bus to get you to where you want to go.