I hope you find these Denali National Park photos inspiring, and my tips helpful in planning a future trip there!

Denali National Park is one of Alaska’s biggest highlights. The six million acre park was named after Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley). This mountain peak is the tallest in North America, at over 20,000 feet in elevation. Other snow-capped mountains rise above the park with Denali, along with alpine tundras and taiga forests. Abundant wildlife roams free here, and can often be seen right from the shuttle buses. There are buses for park visitors and others solely for campers and backcountry hikers. They run from the Visitor’s Center along the only road in the park, stopping at various campgrounds and rest areas.

You can also take a free shuttle bus to the Sled Dog Kennels to meet the pups and watch Ranger-led demonstrations. These are the only sled dogs in the US that help protect a National Park and the people that visit it! Between all the jaw-dropping scenery, unique animals, sled dog team, and outdoor recreation opportunities, this park has something for everyone!

Best Time To Go

The summer season from June to mid-September is the most popular time to visit Denali. This is when you’ll be able to do the most activities and when everything tends to be open. Once you start getting further into the Fall, Winter, and Spring, certain areas and services of the park shut down.

My favorite time to go is between mid-August to early September, when the trees and shrubs change color and you can witness the moose rutting. The crowds (and the mosquitos) also begin to die down then.

If you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights though, head to Alaska in the late Fall to Winter season when daylight hours decrease each day.

Best Hikes For Day-Trippers

You can find hiking trails as soon as you enter the park! These trails are found right by the Visitor’s Center and park entrance.
The Visitor’s Center is the perfect place to start planning the best hike for you. You can pick up maps and trail guides while asking the rangers what their recommendations are! They’ll know about any closures, great wildlife viewing spots, and how long each trail should roughly take you to complete.

Easy & Developed :

A good hike to do near the park entrance is Horseshoe Lake Trail. This developed trail is 3 miles roundtrip (or about 1–1 ½ hours). However, it’s pretty popular, so don’t expect to be the only one out there.

If you’re looking for that true connection to Alaska’s wild scenery, hop on a green shuttle bus and hop off at your intended trailhead. A good spot to hop off at is Mile 15, at the Savage River Loop Trail. This tundra walk along a developed trail follows the river, with chances of you seeing Dall sheep, marmots, and caribou. The hike is 2 miles roundtrip (or about 1 ½–2 hours).

Off The Beaten Path :

If you have a longer stay in Denali, consider shuttling your way to the Eielson Visitor’s Center at Mile 66, and then onward to the last stop of the road, Wonder Lake. These two areas are incredibly close to Denali mountain and offer some of the best views! Plus, the long ride means seeing loads of wildlife right from the safety of the bus.

Wonder Lake is by far the most stunning vantage point of Denali. Especially at sunset when the lake reflects all the gorgeous scenery and colors. Take the easy 2 mile hike from the Wonder Lake Campground to the McKinley River.

Best Lodging Options

♦ The prices mentioned below are only current to the date of this post’s publication. They often change based on the season and the competition of other accommodations in the area. Click on the links to go straight to each accommodations website where you’ll see up-to-date prices!

Budget to Mid-Range

There are quite a few campgrounds and RV sites in Denali, with prices ranging between $12-30/night. I stayed at Wonder Lake, the furthest stop on the park road, and loved it! I also walked around Igloo Creek Campground, located along a stream, and thought it was a cute spot to pitch a tent.
Read my post on Wonder Lake Campground here, and find out more about Denali’s camp and RV sites here!

Just a 20 minute drive from the parks Visitor’s Center is the Denali Mountain Morning Hostel & Cabins. This cute and rustic lodging option just might be my favorite accommodations in Denali! There are hostel bunks from $34/night and a private Octagon room for $99. But the reason I love this place is for the adorable wall tents ($34) and the 8 unique private cabins (starting at just $85)!
Plus, they offer FREE shuttles to and from the park, discounted tours, a view of Denali (on clear days), and free coffee. They’re also pet friendly! My sister and I stayed in a wall tent for a night at the end of August, and woke up to a dusting of snow the next morning. Yet it was surprisingly our warmest nights sleep of the trip (and we had previously stayed in a glass house and a yurt).
See some photos of Denali Mountain Morning in my post on Traveling Alaska From Fairbanks To Anchorage.

There are plenty of mid-range lodges located right inside the park. One of the prettiest is the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. This lodge is affiliated with Princess Cruises, and you can often find a great deal if you book ahead, avoiding the middle of high season. Prices average between $150-$350+. Sit outside by the river with your coffee from the espresso bar or enjoy some salmon and an entertaining dinner theater.

Luxury & All Inclusives

If you’re staying 3 or more days in Denali, and you prefer avoiding crowds, book a luxury stay at the Kantishna Roadhouse, at the end of the park road. You can stay in the backcountry in a standard cabin for around $540/person/night or a family cabin (up to 7 people) for $640/person/night.
These beautiful cabin stays include roundtrip transportation from the park entrance, all meals, and guided hiking, mountain biking, interpretive programs, fishing gear, evening excursions to Wonder Lake for sunset, and more! 

Camp Denali and North Face Lodge are also luxury all-inclusive options. Your stay at either of these family-owned and operated lodges includes roundtrip transportation, all meals, guided naturalist walks, and use of canoes, bikes, and fishing gear. They are also the only lodges in the park allowed to moor canoes in Wonder Lake. Rates are around $625/person/night.

If you’re looking for a more solo and personalized experience, consider this Airbnb Retreat Cabin, just 10 miles outside of the park. It sleeps 6 guests and you can check yourselves in easily with a keypad. There’s wifi, a hot tub, a full kitchen, and a housekeeper. Not to mention, it’d be the perfect spot to see the Aurora! This cabin retreat is $320/night, but if you’re splitting that between 6 people, it’s a steal!
Get $40 OFF your first stay by signing up for Airbnb through my link.

Other Tips

Keep in mind that you’re in bear country. Make some noise while hiking to alert bears of your presence so they’ll avoid you. You can also carry bear spray, and make sure it’s readily available to you (not stuffed in your bag). If you’re camping, take advantage of the bear-safe food lockers and put anything scented (deodorant, toothpaste, etc) in these lockers too. Remember not to approach or feed any wildlife!

Also, know the bus schedules before you go anywhere! I was waiting at Igloo Creek for what I discovered to be the last bus back to my tent at Wonder Lake, and the bus actually whizzed right by me! The driver thought I was just on the road taking a photo so he didn’t stop, even after I waved at him. It was a big ordeal to get me back to my campsite before nightfall, but that’s a story for another post. Just plan ahead and don’t risk taking the last bus of the day.

Plan the rest of your visit here!

Have you been to Denali National Park?

If so, tell me about your favorite spots there
in the comments!

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