There are many ways to experience Denali without actually having to climb it. Book a Denali tour by jeep or ATV to explore deep into the Alaska wilderness, or take a short hiking tour to Reflection Pond for spectacular views of Denali. Get up close and personal to North America’s highest peak with a flightseeing tour from Anchorage or Talkeetna. Choose a flight tour offering a glacier landing to step right out onto the ice-covered mountain yourself.
Denali is so massive that it creates its own weather systems. Keep your eyes on the peak since it can appear out of thin air at any moment and then disappear just as quickly.
The National Park Service charges visitors to enter the park, but most tours include Denali tickets.
Pack plenty of layers as Alaska weather can change at any moment.
Photographers will love the unobstructed views of Denali from Reflection Pond and the ample wildlife viewing opportunities—keep an eye out for Dall sheep.
The farther you travel into the park, the bigger the mountain appears and the better your chances are of seeing it.
The Denali National Park entrance and visitor center is located about 250 miles (402 kilometers) north of Anchorage. Most private vehicles are prohibited past mile 15 (kilometer 24) on Denali Park Road. It’s easiest to arrive by car and then explore Denali by shuttle bus or guided bus tour.
The best time to visit is during the summer season, particularly if you’re intent on climbing Denali. This peak season typically runs from the end of May through the middle of September. The park gets the bulk of its visitors during the summer months. Winter can be a magical time to visit, too, with plenty of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and dogsledding opportunities.
Since the region around Denali is almost completely free of light pollution, it is a great place for both stargazing and viewing the northern lights. The sky has to be dark enough to see the lights. By mid-August the northern lights start to become visible, with your best chance of seeing them from September through April.