Denali National Park

1. Denali National Park Discovery Hikes

• What can visitors experience while traveling down Park Road in Denali National Park?
  • Visitors traveling down the Park Road witness the transformation from low-elevation taiga forests to high-elevation alpine tundra and snowy mountains.
  • The road leads up to Mount Denali, the tallest peak in North America at 20,310 feet.
• How do wildlife live in Denali National Park?
  • The park wildlife live as they always have, roaming freely throughout the land.
• How long has Denali National Park been a destination for adventure?
  • Denali National Park has been a destination for adventuring and mountaineering for over a century.
  • The park continues to attract climbers, skiers, pack-rafters, athletes, hikers, and dog mushers who want to test themselves against the wild landscape.
• What are Discovery Hikes?
  • Discovery Hikes are an excellent way for well-prepared and adventurous visitors to explore Denali National Park.
  • These ranger-led hikes travel off-trail through the park’s wilderness and last from three to five hours.
• What should guests expect on a Discovery Hike?
  • Guests should be prepared for unpredictable weather, uneven terrain, heavy vegetation, and small stream crossings.
  • The hikes range from moderate (elevation gain less than 1,000 feet) to strenuous (elevation gain greater than 1,000 feet or large river crossings).
• What are Sled Dog Demonstrations?
  • The park rangers and sled dogs work together to exhibit a traditional Alaskan mode of transportation.
  • The special 30-minute demonstration includes a tour of Denali National Park’s kennels and a chance to visit with the park’s Alaskan huskies.
• How do visitors get to the Sled Dog Demonstrations?
  • Shuttles leave for the park kennels from the Denali Visitor Center about 40 minutes prior to each demonstration.
  • There is no parking available at the kennels, so visitors should plan on using the shuttle or walking the 1.5-mile trail from the visitor center.
• Can visitors see the sled dogs outside of demonstrations?
  • Park guests can visit the kennels year-round, even outside of the scheduled demonstrations.
  • During the winter months, many of the dogs are often out on runs.

2. Guided Walks and Hikes in Denali National Park

• Does Denali National Park offer ranger-led walks and hikes?
  • Yes, Denali National Park offers an array of less adventurous walks and hikes led by rangers, providing guests with a great opportunity to learn more about the park.
• What is the Nature Walk?
  • The Nature Walk follows one of the trails starting from the Denali Visitor Center and varies in length, up to three miles round trip.
  • The walk follows an easy pace through the taiga ecosystem, with slopes ranging from easy to moderate.
  • The walk lasts around two hours, and visitors may spot moose, red squirrels, spruce grouse, and seasonal flowers and berries.
• What is the Hike to the Park Kennels?
  • The Hike to the Park Kennels lasts about 2.5 hours and begins at the Denali Visitor Center.
  • The trail has several uphill sections but maintains an easy pace.
  • The elevation gain offers an overlook stop with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains on clear days.
  • A ranger will lead participants through aspen and spruce forests in search of in-season berries, wildflowers, and wildlife.
• What is the Eielson Stroll?
  • The Eielson Stroll is a half-mile trail beginning at the Eielson Visitor Center that visitors can enjoy at a leisurely pace.
  • This 45-minute to one-hour ranger-led walk travels through high alpine tundra.
  • The trail offers great views of Denali on clear days and the potential to see large mammals, including grizzly bears.
  • Guests can reach the Eielson Visitor Center via any Eielson, Kantishna, or Wonder Lake shuttle.
• What is the Eielson Alpine Hike?
  • The Eielson Alpine Hike is a strenuous, 2 to 2.5-hour ranger-led hike up and down the Thorofare Ridge.
  • The hike offers sweeping views of Denali in the high alpine tundra and a chance to see wildlife.
• Can visitors explore Denali National Park on trails?
  • Yes, visitors to Denali National Park and Preserve can explore the land on either marked trails or off-trail in almost any direction.
  • The park does not contain many trails, and most of the marked trails are short enough that visitors could travel along several in one day.

3. Hiking in Denali National Park

• Why are there so few marked trails in Denali?
  • The reason for such a small number of trails is that the park exists to provide visitors with a chance to explore the wilderness.
• Where are most of the marked trails located?
  • The majority of marked trails are located around the Denali Visitor Center.
  • Some trails follow alongside the Park Road and connect the visitor center to other park facilities, such as the kennels and Riley Creek Campground, near the park entrance.
  • Other trails travel into the surroundings of the Park Road, offering visitors a chance to find solace while still following a marked path.
• What is the difficulty level of most trails?
  • Most trails are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
• Are there trails beyond the Denali Visitor Center?
  • Yes, there are also a few trails that are found further into the park, beyond the Denali Visitor Center.
• What is the Savage River Loop?
  • The Savage River Loop can be found in the Savage River Area, located at Miles 13-15 on the Park Road.
  • This 2-mile-long, easy walk travels along the river.
  • The trail surface can be uneven and rugged in some spots, but there is not much change in elevation.
  • Visitors can reach this trail by car or via a shuttle from the park entrance.
• What is the Savage Alpine Trail?
  • The Savage Alpine Trail is a more strenuous hike that stretches more than four miles.
  • It connects the Savage River Campground to the Savage River area.
• What trails are near the Eielson Visitor Center?
  • The Eielson Visitor Center, located at Mile 66 on the Park Road, offers spectacular views of Denali on clear days.
  • The Tundra Loop is a short, one-third-mile trail near the visitor center in alpine country.
  • There is also an additional one-fourth-mile, one-way trail that branches off from the Tundra Loop.
  • The Eielson Alpine Trail is a steep hike that climbs 1,000 feet up Thorofare Ridge.
  • This less than one-mile trail provides amazing views on a clear day.
• What trail is located in the Wonder Lake area?
  • The Wonder Lake area, found at Mile 85 along the Park Road, contains the McKinley Bar Trail.
  • The 2.5-mile-long, one-way trail is the only one in the area.
  • It travels past several small ponds, providing a chance to see waterfowl and moves through spruce forests.

4. Wildlife Viewing in Denali National Park

• How many species of wildlife are found in Denali National Park and Preserve?
  • Denali National Park and Preserve contains 169 bird species, 39 species of mammals, 14 fish species, 1 species of amphibian, and no reptiles.
• What large mammals can visitors see in Denali?
  • Lucky visitors may spot some of the park’s most iconic large mammals, such as moose, caribou, grizzly bears, black bears, Dall’s sheep, and wolves.
• What smaller mammals are commonly seen?
  • Smaller mammals, such as arctic ground squirrels, red squirrels, marmots, and foxes, are seen more often.
• What types of birds live in Denali National Park?
  • The park’s bird life is diverse and remarkable.
  • Among the largest birds in Denali are the rare Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle.
  • More commonly seen birds include gray jays, ravens, ptarmigan, and mew gulls.
• Where is the best place to view wildlife in Denali?
  • The best opportunity to view wildlife is most likely on a bus ride along Denali’s Park Road.
  • While hiking in the park, wildlife sightings are less likely due to reduced visibility in or near brush.
• Why is wildlife harder to see while hiking?
  • The park’s wildlife are accustomed to the noise of the buses traveling down the road, but not as much to the noise of visitors hiking through the park.
  • Animals might easily get spooked when encountering hikers.
• What precautions should hikers take when encountering wildlife?
  • Guests hiking in the park should acquaint themselves with appropriate and safe behavior before arriving in case they encounter a wild animal.
  • Hiking along a river offers more visibility, but the chance of encountering a bear or moose is greater.
  • High alpine areas provide better visibility and allow visitors to avoid large animals before they get too close.
• How can visitors increase their chances of spotting wildlife?
  • Wildlife in Denali are more often seen at a distance, so visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars and stronger cameras.
• Do animals come close to the Park Road?
  • Sometimes wildlife will come near or even onto the Park Road.
  • Bus drivers will usually stop if animals are spotted.
• How are herd animals typically seen in the park?
  • Animals that travel in herds, such as sheep and caribou, are often seen only in small numbers and from a far distance.

5. Denali National Park Park Kennels & Camping

• What role do sled dogs play in Denali National Park?
  • Denali National Park and Preserve's sled dogs have played a significant role in the park for so long that they have now become part of the park's resources and are a cultural tradition worthy of protection.
• Why are Denali’s sled dogs culturally significant?
  • They are culturally significant, symbolizing the Native Alaskan and pioneer experience in the far north.
• How do sled dogs contribute to Denali’s history?
  • The dogs also play a part in the history of the park.
  • Denali's sled dogs are the only ones in the country that assist in protecting a national park, as well as the scenery, wildlife, and wilderness within the park.
  • These dogs have been protecting Denali National Park for almost as long as the park has existed.
• Is backpacking in Denali National Park different from other national parks?
  • Yes, there are no backcountry campsites, trails, or designated routes in Denali National Park's backcountry, making the park unique compared to other national parks.
• Why does Denali National Park lack designated backcountry routes?
  • The idea is to provide visitors with the means of self-reliance and give them a chance to discover the park on their own.
• How can park rangers assist with backpacking?
  • Park rangers provide guests with information to make their backpacking trip as safe and enjoyable as possible.
• Is a permit required for backcountry camping?
  • Yes, a permit is required for camping in the backcountry.

George Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska 99755, Phone: 907-683-9532