Denali National Park and Preserve covers about 24,500 km² of Alaskan wilderness around Denali, at 6,190 m the highest mountain in North America. There is only one road into the park, and private vehicles are restricted beyond the first 24 km, so most visitors explore by park bus. From the bus windows, you may see Denali’s “Big Five”: grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and wolves.
At a glance
| Best time | Mid-June to mid-September |
| Getting there | About 4 hours by road or 7.5 hours by train from Anchorage |
| Time needed | 2 to 4 days |
| Big draws | Grizzlies, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, Denali itself |
| Good for | Road trippers, hikers, first-time visitors to Alaska |
Denali’s Big Five
- Grizzly bears: often seen digging for roots and ground squirrels on open tundra. See our brown bear profile.
- Moose: common near the park entrance and in willow thickets. See our moose profile.
- Caribou: herds wander across the tundra. See our reindeer (caribou) profile.
- Dall sheep: white wild sheep on the mountain slopes.
- Wolves: present in several packs; sightings are lucky.
Other wildlife includes red foxes, arctic ground squirrels, hoary marmots, golden eagles, gyrfalcons and willow ptarmigan, Alaska’s state bird.
How the park road works
- The park road runs 148 km west from the entrance. Beyond Savage River (mile 15), access is by park bus: narrated tour buses or cheaper transit buses, from which you can get off to hike.
- Since 2021, a landslide at Pretty Rocks (around mile 45) has closed the road beyond that point, and buses turn around there while a bridge is built. Check current information for when the full road is expected to reopen.
- Buses stop for wildlife, and drivers are good at spotting animals.
Seeing the mountain
Denali is often hidden by clouds; it is fully visible on only about a third of summer days. Clear mornings and evenings give the best chances. Flightseeing tours from Talkeetna or the park entrance offer spectacular views.
When to go
- Mid-June to mid-September: the main season, when buses run. Long days and wildflowers in early summer; autumn colours and rutting moose in late August and September.
- Winter: the park is open, but services are limited; activities include cross-country skiing and dog sledding.
Getting there
Drive the Parks Highway from Anchorage (about 4 hours) or Fairbanks (about 2 hours), or take the Alaska Railroad, a scenic 7.5-hour journey from Anchorage.
Where to stay
Hotels and lodges near the park entrance, campgrounds inside the park, and remote wilderness lodges at Kantishna at the end of the road (reached by air while the road is closed).
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive my own car in Denali? Only to Savage River, about 24 km in. Beyond that, you need a park bus.
What are the chances of seeing wildlife? Most bus trips see several of the Big Five, especially moose, caribou and grizzlies.
Is the Denali park road open? It has been closed beyond Pretty Rocks (mile 45) since 2021; check the National Park Service for the latest.
What is the best month to visit Denali? Late June to August for wildlife and weather; early September for autumn colours.
Related guides
- Brooks Falls, Katmai: watching bears catch salmon
- Yellowstone wildlife guide
- Banff and Jasper wildlife guide
- Animal profiles: Brown bear, Moose, Reindeer (caribou)
Cover photo: Denali National Park and Preserve, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons