Where can I get information on Denali National Park an Preserve?
How can I make reservations for the shuttle and tour buses? Or is it first come, first serve?
What types of lodging does Denali National park and Preserve have?
How can I get campground reservations for Denali National Park and Preserve?
Are there good hiking opportunities within Denali National Park and Preserve?
Can I take my pet with me into Denali National Park and Preserve?
What are the other modes of transportation inside Denali National Park and Preserve other than the various shuttle buses?
What about driving your own car in on the Park Road?
What is the Road Lottery?
Can I fish in Denali National Park and Preserve?
We do not have time to drive the whole park road back to Kantishna, will we still be able to see Mount Mckinley?
What are the wildlife safety tips I need to know?
I want to climb Mount Mckinley, who or where do I go to get information?

Where can I get information on Denali National Park and Preserve?
Information is located online at their website, http://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm or information can be requested from the Anchorage Alaska Public Lands Information Center by phone at 1-866-869-6887, or by email at anch_web_mail@nps.gov

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What types of lodging does Denali National Park and Preserve have?
There are places to stay outside of the Park in the nearest communities of Healy, located about 11 miles north of the park entrance and Cantwell, located about 30 miles south of the park entrance. There are many hotels, motels, and B & B's, etc, that exist in these communities and along the highway between them.

Inside the park, lodging is limited to a handful of privately owned remote wilderness lodges in the Kantisha area, at the end of the Park Road. You may also camp in the park, either in an established campground or, with a permit, in the backcountry.

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NPS

Wonder Lake Campground

How can I get campground reservations for Denali National Park and Preserve?
There are a total of six campgrounds along the park road and these campgrounds vary in size and distance from the developed area at the entrance to the park. There is a limited number of sites that are available to recreational vehicles up to 40' in length. Reservations can be made as early as December 1, 2011.
More information at:
http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-reservations

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NPS

Hikers in Denali NP&P

Are there good hiking opportunities within Denali National Park and Preserve?
Whether you're planning a leisurely day hike or a week long backcountry trek, Denali NP&P offers several options. There are many maintained trails originating at the park road that offer scenic views and a vigorous workout without the need for a heavy pack or a compass. However, for the more adventurous visitor, the six million trail-less acres of the park provides the opportunity for a memorable backpacking trip.
For more information on day hikes, visit:
http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/dayhiking
For more information on the backcountry visit:
http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/backcountry

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NPS

One of Denali NP&P's working sleddogs

Can I take my pet with me into Denali National Park and Preserve?
Pets are welcome in Denali, but to protect other visitors , wildlife and your pets themselves, please remember these regulations:

•Pets must be leashed (6' or shorter leash) at all times
•You may not leave a tethered pet unattended
•Pets may be walked on the Park Road, in parking lots, or on campground roads
•Pets are not permitted on park trails, nor off trail in the wilderness
•Pets are not permitted on any of the various buses in Denali

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NPS/Kent Miller

Bikers pedal along the Denali park road

What are the other modes of transportation inside Denali National Park and Preserve other than the various shuttle buses?
In the summer months, when the park road is open, visitors can walk, hike, or bike along the park road. Many flightseeing tours also operate during the summer and offer a unique view of the area. During the winter months, visitors can cross country ski, snowshoe, or even dogsled within the park.

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NPS/Kent Miller

Driving the park road in Denali NP&P

What about driving your own car in on the Park Road?
The first 15 miles is drivable to private vehicles starting around May 20th to about September 15th. There is also the Denali Road Lottery that occurs in June and if your ticket gets chosen, then you are allowed one day of access into the park over a designated weekend in September. For more information on the road lottery, see below.

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NPS/Kent Miller

Driving the park road offers a unique wildlife viewing opportunity.

What is the Road Lottery?
Each September the park hosts a four-day event called the "Road Lottery." During these four days, winners of a lottery drawing are given a chance to purchase a single, day-long permit, allowing them to drive as much of the Denali Park Road as weather allows. In years with early snow, the Park Road might open no farther than Savage River (mile 15); in milder years, lottery winners are able to enjoy a trip out to Wonder Lake (mile 85). The four consecutive days of the Road Lottery always begin the second Friday after Labor Day. The application period for the September lottery is June 1st - 30th of the same year and winners are generally announced by mid July.
For more information go to http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/road-lottery.htm or call the park headquarters at 907-683-2294.

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USFWS

Arctic Grayling

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Denali on a clear day.

We do not have time to drive the whole park road back to Kantishna, will we still be able to see Mount Mckinley?
Yes, on a clear day you can see Mount McKinley from downtown Anchorage as well as many points on the highway driving up to Denali National Park and Preserve.

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NPS/Kent Miller

A talkative ground squirrel.

What are the wildlife safety tips I need to know?
Denali is home to sheep, caribou, wolves, foxes, bears, moose, eagles, ptarmigan, and other wildlife that you are very likely to encounter while in Denali. Below are some basic tips for viewing wildlife safely.

• Do not feed or allow wildlife to obtain human foods.
• Do not approach or follow wildlife. Maintain a minimum of 25 yards distance from all other animals, dens, and nests.
• If your presence alters an animal's behavior, you are too close.
• Maintain a minimum 300 foot distance from bears
• More information on bear encounters (.pdf 1.9MB)

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NPS/Kent Miller

Mountaineering in the Alaska Range.

I want to climb Mount McKinley, who or where do I go to get information?
For basic information go to http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/mountaineering.htm and for more detailed information contact the Talkeetna Ranger Station at phone number 907-773-2231.

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