A Guide to Denali National Park
First off, I want to disclose that I am not an expert on Denali National Park (formerly known as Mount McKinley). However, I genuinely hope that my experience will help give a little insight to those who want to travel there and what to expect! Hint: You’re going to love Denali. No more thinking. Just go!
August 2018
My friend Yukari and I planned a last minute trip to Denali.
Literally, planned on a Thursday,
Tour on Saturday.
Let’s do this.
Anyways, we got nervous because everyday leading up to the trip it rained. In fact it was supposed to be in the 40’s and rain/snow the day we planned, but that didn’t stop us. We still got on the bus, because well...you can’t drive. Literally, you’re not allowed to go past mile 15 on the Park Road with a car unless you apply for a road lottery that happens once a year. We weren’t that lucky this year.
With that being said, these bus tickets sell out quickly. When we tried purchasing online, it said sold out. Wonderful. Plans to go to a national park where you can’t drive and no tickets. Plan B. CALL THEM.
We spoke to the national park ranger to see if we can purchase over the phone, and guys… THEY HAD TICKETS AVAILABLE. It’s important to exhaust all options when you hit a bump in the road, so always call if it says tickets unavailable!
...But also, don’t plan 3 days before. Or do and still go!
With bus tickets booked, the process is something worth mentioning.
Bus process:
There are different bus tours people can take in Denali, and then there are standard green buses that just take you to your destination. Yukari and I decided to go with the standard transit bus. They still answer questions along the way and narrate a bit, and they will stop for wildlife.
There are different stops along the way. The further you go, the more the ticket will cost but no more than $100 to go all the way, and they can last anywhere from 5 to 13 hours. We got our ticket to Wonder Lake, second to last stop (Mile 85). 11 hours round trip. Worth it.
There are stops along the way for breaks, however there is no food. Just bathrooms and water refill. Plan accordingly! Think non-perishables.
There are different spots where you can camp out if you reserve...in advance :)
When you get off the bus at the stops, you can go back on the same bus since you’re guaranteed the seat. However, you can choose to stay and explore the area longer since the breaks are only 15-30 minutes. I recommend going back with your bus.
If you decide to stay longer and miss your bus, you can hop on another bus if they have any open spots. They prioritize their people first unless some of them want to stay behind as well. This is a risk you need to take into account if you go in a group.
You can walk in the national park and hike from the beginning, but you still have to pay a park fee.
One thing that amazed me was how they encourage people to go off trail, unlike any national park I’ve been to. They educate you very well at the visitors center before doing that and how to stay safe.
I have to say to always look at the weather, but, on the day we arrived, it was sunny and warm! I didn’t even need my coat. We were so lucky because the skies haven't been clear in weeks. In fact, it was cloudy and rainy the day after too. We were so lucky because only 30% of people actually see Denali when they go in the park. The weather changes like crazy because mountain weather. We literally saw clouds form in the mountains in the distance.
All the staff at the national park were great. You can really tell how much they love and protect the land. Be respectful, but be adventurous. Get out of your comfort zone, but obey the laws. You will not regret a visit to Denali National Park.
We saw so much wildlife from caribou, moose, arctic ground squirrel, and bears to name a few. I saw 13 bears throughout the day! I only had a 70-200mm lens with me and got decent photos of some bears, but to capture them really well you should have at least 400mm for good quality since they are so far away.
I will say that one day is definitely not enough. Next time, we’re definitely planning on at least staying overnight and camping at Wonder Lake. I mean, just look at the view below!
I hope this helps, and best of luck if you travel there! Feel free to comment any other information about the national park and any tips that we can all learn from.
References:
Reservations and Ticket Pricing
- Stephney Bazi