Category Archives: Denali Travel

Travel questions about Denali

What is the best way to see Denali?

Posted on by
1

Q: What is the best way to see denali?

A: The best, and most reliable way to see Denali, is undoubtedly from the air! Experiencing the grandeur of the largest mountain in the western hemisphere from the personal distance that an aircraft can offer, is an experience you will not forget!  Flightseeing in Denali National Park is a unique experience; there isn’t an area comparable to the nearly 6 million acres of enormous glaciers, towering granite walls and snow-covered peaks, on earth.

There are quite a few flightseeing options available, that begin from either deep within the park, or from the park entrance.  Guests at the Denali Backcountry Lodge in Kantishna can enjoy the convenience of departing from the private Kantishna airstrip on the round trip Grand Ascent tour; an exciting hour long flightseeing adventure.

Near the park entrance, you take a fixed-wing aircraft, traveling along the spine of the Alaska Range, right up to Denali; on this Mt. McKinley Flightseeing Adventure.  You can also embark on a helicopter excursion from the park entrance.  A helicopter is a wonderful way to experience Denali National Park.  You can land on a pristine glacier, for a glacier walk, or in a remote valley for a 3 hour guided hike.

There are also some Denali Flightseeing options available from Anchorage, you can see them all on our Anchorage Flightseeing Page.

Flightseeing is a great way to get away from the crowds at the park entrance, and see Denali close up!

Denali National Park Airports

Posted on by
Reply

Q: What is the nearest airport to Denali National Park?

A: The nearest Major airport is Fairbanks International Airport in the city of Fairbanks about 121 miles north of the Park Entrance.  There are also a couple smaller airstrips: The McKinley Park Airstrip, which is right outside the Park Entrance, and the Kantishna Airstrip, which is 95 miles inside the park. Air taxi services are available between these airstrips as well as from Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Talkeetna.


You can also simply rent a car in Fairbanks, and make the drive down to Denali National Park, or take the Alaska Railroad. A great place to stay near the park entrance is Denali Cabins, and for lodging deep inside the park at Kantishna , check out the exclusive Denali Backcountry Lodge.

Denali National Park Weather

Posted on by
Reply

Q: How is Denali National Park weather in July?

A: Just like in any other states, weather in Alaska is unpredictable. More so is the case in Alaska due to its sub-arctic climate conditions. In Denali National Park, weather pattern is unpredictable even more so because of Denali. As huge the mountain is, the mountain creates its own weather system. Based on more than 50 years of historical data gathered by Western Regional Climate Center following is Denali National Park weather information with estimated averages for full year:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Avg. Max. Temperature (F) 9.4 16.1 24.9 38.7 53.6 64.2 66.4 61.5 50.7 32.3 17.6 11.1 37.2
Avg. Temperature (F) -7.6 -4.2 0.7 15.7 29.9 39.7 43.4 40 30.5 14.4 1.1 -5.7 16.5
Avg. Precipitation (in.) 0.68 0.56 0.47 0.38 0.8 2.29 3.19 2.58 1.54 0.93 0.83 0.89 15.15
Avg. Total SnowFall (in.) 10.3 9.6 7.8 5.3 2.9 0.3 0 0 4.2 12.4 13.1 13.3 79.4


If you are traveling at the moment and you want up to date information of the weather condition in Denali National Park, you can visit Denali National Park Climate Center page by clicking here. So much of interest in visiting Denali National Park is also to see Denali, the big one! National Park Services has set up a webcam for live up to date feeds on Denali’s visibility. You can click here to see if the mountain is visible today, remember that the cam only works during summer months.

Anchorage to Denali by Train

Posted on by
Reply

Q: Is there any way to travel round trip from Anchorage to Denali in one day aboard a train?

A: No. You cannot travel round trip from Anchorage to Denali in one day aboard a train. Unlike trains in the big cities in lower 48 states, Alaska Railroad does not operate high speed trains. Traveling aboard Alaska Railroad is a scenic experience unlike any other. The train leaves from Anchorage at 8:15 AM and it arrives Denali at 3:45 PM. If you are interested in experiencing Alaska Railroad, you have to stay overnight in Denali. We would recommend staying at Denali Cabins. Denali Cabins also provides complimentary shuttle service to and from Denali Train Depot. Alaska Railroad leaves from Denali to Anchorage at 12:20 PM. Instead of experiencing train travel, if you want to travel round trip from Anchorage to Denali in one day, you have the option of traveling Anchorage Denali Express, or simply renting a car. It is approximately 4 to 5 hours drive from Anchorage to Denali. Anchorage Denali Express leaves from Anchorage at 7:30 AM and arrives Denali by noon, and leaves from Denali at 2:30 PM and arrives Anchorage by 7:00 PM.

Kantishna Experience Tour

Posted on by
Reply

Q: Can I take Kantishna Experience Tour staying at Denali Cabins?

A: There are three ways to experience Kantishna, by taking Kantishna Experience Tour with the park services, and privately operated trips into the park with Denali Backcountry Adventure and Kantishna Wilderness Trails. Of the three, the best value is Denali Backcountry Adventure. If you are staying at Denali Cabins, you can take Denali Backcountry Adventure, since the trip starts right from Denali Cabins. You cannot take Kantishna Experience Tour staying at Denali Cabins. Denali Backcountry Adventure trip leaves Denali Cabins at 6:15 AM. On its way into the park, it will stop at Denali Grizzly Bear Resort and McKinley Chalet to pick up guests. The bus leaves from Denali Grizzly Bear Resort at 6:20 AM and from McKinley Chalet at 6:30 AM. Seating is very limited in Denali Backcountry Adventure; hence if you are interested in the trip, you are advised to make advance reservations.