Denali National Park Active and Adventure Vacations

Denali National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Active and Adventure Destinations Near Denali National Park

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Active and Adventure Travel Destinations
Mount McKinley in Denali National Park, Alaska
Mount McKinley in Denali National Park, Alaska (Weststock)

Denali National Park Active and Adventure Highlights

By Travel Expert: Karen Kefauver
  • Denali ranks as one of the most bike-friendly national parks. The park road (the only road for bike use) is 90 miles long, and bikes are allowed throughout the whole length. You also can take your bicycle with you on a camper shuttle bus.
  • Overnight backpacking is a popular activity for wilderness trekking enthusiasts. Backcountry stays in Denali National Park require a free backcountry permit available at the visitor center during the summer months and at park headquarters during the winter months. Most areas require the use of Bear Resistant Food Containers, distributed free of charge with your backcountry permit. Bear encounters are fairly common, so learn how to handle them ahead of time.
  • The most challenging peak to summit in the United States is Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley). With a summit of 20,320 feet, temperatures known to fall below minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and 95-mile-per-hour winds, summiting Denali is for expert mountaineers only.
  • To access day hikes (and scout longer backpacking adventures) in Denali, follow the park road. Take a shuttle bus, get off at an interesting location, and hike from there. When you feel you've gone far enough, turn back and either wait for the next shuttle bus or walk along the road until the next bus comes.
  • Take a dogsledding tour with Mary Shields. Mary was the first woman to finish the 1,049-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Mary enjoys the pure pleasure of long spring trips with her dogs, exploring the wild country of Alaska, and meeting the people who live in the "bush" communities of Alaska. She offers tours ranging in length from one to ten days.

Denali National Park Overview

Denali (Den-al-ee) stands alone among the national parks: It gives regular people easy access to real wilderness, with sweeping tundra vistas, abundant wildlife, and North America's tallest mountain. Other wilderness areas in Alaska may have equally inspiring scenery and even more animals, but Denali is unique because of its accessibility to visitors -- and because that accessibility hasn't spoiled the natural experience, as...

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Hotels

McKinley Chalet Resort
Milepost 238 George Parks Highway
Denali, AK Map
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 21.6 Miles
(from destination center)
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Grande Denali Lodge
238 Parks Highway
Denali National Park, AK 99755 Map
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 21.2 Miles
(from destination center)
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McKinley Village Lodge
Milepost 231 George Parks Hwy
Denali National Park, AK 99755 Map
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 22.7 Miles
(from destination center)
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Junior Ranger Program
Denali National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 9
Denali National Park, Alaska 99755-9998
Distance: 53.7 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Designed for families to learn about the park... Read More
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Murie Science and Learning Center
Denali National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 136
Denali National Park, Alaska 99755
Distance: 53.7 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The Murie Science and Learning Center provides... Read More
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Sled Dog Demonstrations
Denali National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 9
Denali National Park, Alaska 99755-9998
Distance: 53.7 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Your family will enjoy visiting the national Park... Read More
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Feature Articles

More Denali National Park Active and Adventure Feature Articles (13)
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Trip Ideas

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Denali National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guides

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