If Denali isn’t on your ‘must-visit national parks’ list, it really should be for its hiking opportunities, backcountry camping sites and menagerie of captivating creatures.
With rolling tundra, snow-topped peaks and brilliant wildlife-viewing opportunities, Denali National Park is a dream for nature lovers and adventure seekers. From glacier trekking to chasing the northern lights, here are some of our favourite activities to inspire your next Alaskan adventure to Denali National Park.
1. Spot wildlife
Denali National Park has its own big five: moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves and grizzly bears. Wolves can be elusive, but you’re likely to cross paths with moose and Dall sheep on the trails. The best time to spot a grizzly or black bear is between May and mid-September when they come out of hibernation. You might also see them hunting for fish or roaming the tundra in search of fresh berries. You’re never guaranteed to see wildlife, but you still have a pretty good chance in Denali. And don’t worry, there’s no need to be nervous about encountering one of Denali’s inhabitants – with a local expert by your side and the safety of a small group, you’ll be in good hands.
2. Go deeper into the park
You can only drive a private vehicle 24 km into the vast park, but you can take official National Park Service buses deeper in for more opportunities to spot wildlife and see the dramatic landscapes. For example, plan it right and on a small-group ‘Alaskan safari‘ with Intrepid, you can head out to mile 43 of Park Road along the Tundra Wilderness route accompanied by a naturalist guide, with Mount Denali towering in the background on a clear day.
3. Go river rafting
Chill out on a relaxing river journey or get your adrenaline fix as you rush through the white-water rapids of the Nenana River through the heart of the Alaska Range. Whatever rocks your boat, river rafting is a great way to soak up the beauty of the surrounding peaks and catch a glimpse of wildlife hanging out by the riverbanks. Prepare for a soaking – and lots of fun.
4. Visit Eielson Visitor Center
Take a trip to the Eielson Visitor Center, located at Mile 66 on the Park Road, for some of the park’s most impressive views of the park and Mount McKinley. There are also daily ranger-led programs, which are a great chance to speak to the rangers and pick their brains about the park, its history and the wildlife that call it home. Every day, the park hosts sled-dog demonstrations for you to meet and learn about the hardworking four-legged team.
5. Camp in the wilderness
From breathing in the fresh mountain air to listening to the peaceful sounds of nature as you go to sleep, there’s no better way to immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness than camping under the stars. There are six campgrounds in Denali but most of them are only open in the summer months. It’s best to book a site online in advance as spaces fill up in the peak season (June to August). If you’re worried about campgrounds filling up, you can guarantee a camping experience in Denali on a small-group trip with Intrepid where you can hike and camp in the park while having all the logistics taken care of.
Read more: 7 incredible hikes in Denali National Park
6. Hit the trails
Although Denali National Park is a whopping six million acres – comparable in size to Switzerland – there are only 35 miles of designated hiking trails in order to preserve the park’s wilderness. Hiking off-track is an exciting prospect here, with a backcountry permit only needed if you’re staying overnight. Aside from that, a world of unlimited day hikes opens up, from slow strolls along the Savage River to strenuous hikes that’ll get your blood pumping, the beauty of hiking in Denali is that you’ll discover what ‘wild’ truly means, no matter where you roam.
7. Get snap happy
Make sure you bring a spare battery because you won’t be able to put your camera down. With beauty everywhere you look, Denali is a photographer’s dream. You could spend a whole day sitting in a camp chair taking photos of the mountains – there’s a whole weather system up there and the views are constantly changing. Not to mention the abundant wildlife, mirror-like lakes and colourful wildflowers.
8. Go cycling
There’s one 92-mile road in Denali, and you can cycle the entire length of it if you want. The road is closed to public vehicles after mile 15 and you’ll almost have the road all to yourself – apart from the occasional ranger vehicle, moose or bear. Whooshing through the park on a bicycle and feeling the cool, fresh air on your skin is guaranteed to have you feeling as free as a bird.
9. Visit Talkeetna
Talkeetna is a quaint mountain town at the foothills of Denali and the Alaska Range, and while it only has 1,000 residents, it oozes charm and character. Get to know the locals in cosy roadhouses, sample craft beers around a warm log fire or fill your belly with freshly caught Alaskan seafood at a local restaurant.
Read more: Everything you need to know about travel in Alaska
10. Watch the magical northern lights
Who doesn’t dream of seeing the northern lights? In winter – and maybe early spring or late fall if you’re lucky – the skies above Denali are illuminated with green, blue, purple and red lights. Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis as there’s hardly any light pollution. Try your luck at stargazing with a warm flask of mulled wine or hot chocolate.
Keen on an Alaskan adventure? Check out Intrepid’s dedicated Denali National Park tours.
