For anyone who hasn’t been before, you need a Denali National Park itinerary. It’s a huge place but access is limited and you’ll want to be sure you can see and do as much as possible. I think a 3 day plan for Denali is ideal because it gives you time to do the guided trip into the park, to explore on your own, and to do the iconic Alaska things that you hope to do at Denali. I think this is one of the coolest National Parks, not just in Alaska, but in the USA as a whole.
I remember the very first time I went to Denali National Park. Within moments of being on the Park Road there was a bear, then a moose, and then it was tundra like I’d seen on television… It was epic and I immediately fell in love. After living outside the park I really was able to hone down what to do in Denali NP and how much time visitors need for it. And that’s why we have a 3 day Denali National Park itinerary to share!
If you have any questions about planning your visit to Denali, need additional recommendations for travel in Alaska’s Interior or anything, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help plan YOUR Alaska trip!
Need to Know for Visiting Denali NP
So, you can just show up at Denali National Park and see what happens or you can be prepared. If you show up without a plan, chances are you’re going to be extremely limited in your experience and be very frustrated. Visiting Denali NP is not like Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks. One does not simply drive into Denali… We’ve got the whole scoop though so you can plan your Denali itinerary successfully.
Land Acknowledgement of the Alaska Native Peoples
I think it’s very important to understand the background of any area we travel to. Sometimes that history is beautiful, sometimes it’s ugly or messy, and sometimes it’s both. Alaska was taken from several large groups of people, many of whom were forced to attend Indian Schools to be re-educated. Alaska has a history of segregation between white people and the different tribes who’ve called this land home for tens of thousands of years. This is why it’s important to acknowledge the people and make an effort to learn and travel responsibly.
We acknowledge that the lands we visit or on which we live here are the traditional lands of the Athabascan, Dena’ina, Tanana, Alutiq, Aleut, Yupik, Inupiaq, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian and other Peoples that have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We acknowledge the history and current lives of these people and aim to interact with and visit their ancestral lands respectfully and with gratitude.
When to Visit Denali National Park
I like being able to access the places I visit without a lot of complexity and gear, so for me visiting Denali in winter isn’t an option. I don’t have that sort of constitution. So I recommend late spring through the end of September. I’ve been in the park when the snow is still melting and there are baby moose just off the Park Road and I’ve been hiking in the tundra and been hit with the first snow of the season. I really do prefer fall to spring visits because it’s usually warmer and you have better self-driving access to the park.
If you’re visiting Denali National Park in summer, you will need to plan as much in advance as possible. Because access into the park is controlled and limited beyond the Savage River, you must reserve a seat either on one of the guided tours or on the Denali Transit Bus. Without bus passage you can only go so far into the park and when it’s busy during peak summer months, you’ll struggle to park at the furthest in point (more on that below). Summer is wonderful for wildlife photography because of how active everything is, but the prices of lodging and the ability to book passage into the Park is limited. We have tips though!
Getting to Denali NP
To get to Denali National Park, you actually have a few options. I think it’s best if added to an Alaska road trip, but if you’re sole purpose or goal is to get to spend time here, you can plan your Alaska trip to make Denali as easy as possible. Fly into Fairbanks (FAI) or Anchorage (ANC) and then drive to Denali, making fun stops along the way. Fairbanks is twice as close to Denali National Park as Anchorage, so if you can fly into FAI do it. The two hours from Fairbanks is an easy drive on the Parks Highway. It’s a four hour drive from Anchorage.
You can also take the train to Denali National Park. That’s right, you can enjoy the scenic Alaska Railroad from either Anchorage or Fairbanks to Denali. If you don’t want to have a car when you visit, this is a great option, and given the cost of rental cars in Alaska, while you’ll still be spending more on trail passage, it’s not as much as you might think considering that you don’t have the stress of a car and DO get the beauty of the train.
Fairbanks Train Passage: TO DENALI from FAIRBANKS TO FAIRBANKS from DENALI
Anchorage Train Passage: TO DENALI from Anchorage TO ANCHORAGE from DENALI
Do I need a car in Denali National Park?
Depending on the time of year you’re visiting and the Denali National Park itinerary you’re following you may need a car in the Park. If you’re visiting either before the bus tours or Denali Transit Bus start for the year, you will definitely need a car. If you’re visiting during peak season AND you’ve been able to secure either tour or transit reservations, you WON’T need a car. Visitors that want to drive themselves as far as the Savage River trail can do so as long as the road is open, but that’s only to Mile 15 of the Park Road.
For guests visiting at the end of the summer, there is a certain point when the Tundra Wilderness Tour has stopped and before the Park Road closes due to snow that you can drive your own vehicle beyond the Savage River ranger check point. In 2024 to road opened to private vehicles in mid-September all the way to the Teklanika River Overlook (Mile 30 of the Park Road).
NOTE: when the Park Road is fully repaired from the Pretty Rocks landslide (rock glacier) and access all the way to Wonder Lake is restored, there may again be Road Lottery for deep access to the park at the end of the season. If/when that happens, we’ll be sure to keep this site updated.
Denali National Park 3 Day Itinerary
Here we go! It’s time to dig into our Denali National Park 3 day itinerary. We’ve got a combination of hikes, off-trail tundra exploration, guided park tours, sites to visit via car and more. Remember, like with any of our itineraries, you can always update the plan to suit your interests, how much time you have, and what your travel party wants to do. Consider our itinerary a blueprint, but YOU are the builder. You’ll find dining recommendations after the itinerary.
To begin your trip to Denali National Park, you’ll arrive and spend the afternoon exploring the townsite of Denali. There are fun things to do like rafting or sled dog tours outside of Denali, or you can just arrive and relax. Our Denali itinerary starts with the morning of your first full day here. The options for accommodation near the park entrance range from lodges, such as the McKinley Chalets or the Denali Bluffs Hotel, to campsites within the park.
Day 1: Getting Your Bearings and Visiting Sled Dog Kennels
Today is all about understanding Denali National Park, from its layout to its history. We’ve got lots of easy activities that take you into the Park but don’t go beyond Mile 15 of the Park Road. Today you’re self-driving or using the Denali Park shuttles. Our Denali itinerary is easiest if you have your own car, but don’t stress it if you don’t have one. You’ll figure out how to make it work, I’m sure.
Morning Activities at Denali NP
Start your day by heading to the Denali National Park visitors center. Here you can get your National Parks Passport stamped, get your park map, go through the exhibits all about the Alaska wildlife you’ll see, and watch a film or two about the Park’s history. I really like this visitors center and the rangers are always awesome. There’s also a gift shop in the building across from the visitors center, so don’t forget your souvenirs!
After this, head to the Denali Sled Dog Kennels to meet Denali’s sled dogs and learn about the role they play in the park. The kennels are the only ones in a U.S. National Park, and ranger-led presentations highlight the dogs’ contributions to winter travel and preservation. There is a free shuttle from the visitor center to the kennels during peak season. Kennel demonstrations occur multiple times a day in summer, so check the current schedule upon arrival. In fall they are only open to the public on weekends before they close to make ready for winter.
You can grab lunch from the mercantile by the post office or head back into town. There are lots of restaurants of all sorts and budgets in the townsite. You can also plan for a picnic lunch and begin your day with grabbing lunch to bring into the park.
Afternoon Denali National Park Hiking
While Denali National Park is THE Alaska destination for off-trail hiking in the tundra, there are several maintained trails that you can access with your own vehicle. First up is the Horseshoe Lake Trail (1.5 miles round trip). This is a beginner-friendly hike through spruce forests leading to a peaceful lake with occasional moose sightings. It’s just inside the Park entrance and is accessible year round (even if you need snowshoes for it).
Another great trail is the Mount Healy Overlook Trail (4.5 miles round trip). Head to this trail for more of a challenge. You’ll hike to the overlook, where you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Alaska Range, and then as you hike back down you’ve got great opportunities to watch for moose, bear, foxes and porcupines. If you’re bringing bear spray with you, this is one trail where it would be good to have on your person. Be sure you know how to use it properly (but it’s a 99% chance you won’t need it).
For one more stop this afternoon, drive to the Savage Cabin. Located at about mile 13 or so, this century old cabin is open for viewing throughout the day in peak season, and then just when there are tours visiting in the shoulder seasons. There are nature trails all around the cabin, so take a nice stroll through the woods and watch for wildlife.
Day 2: Denali Transit Bus or Wilderness Tour
Today is the day for the pre-arranged tour into the Park. Denali National Park bus tours are awesome. I love the combination of narration and not having to be the one driving. How the tours work is the driver guide operates the bus and provides the human and geologic history of the area while looking for wildlife. There are two tour options:
- The Denali Natural History Tour – this is up to five hours and goes less than half as far into the park as the longer tour. This is great if you only have a short amount of time but want to access the park this way.
- The Tundra Wilderness Tour – TOP PICK. When the road is fully open you can enjoy the Tundra Wilderness Tour beyond the famous Polychrome Pass (reopens this far in 2026). For now, this tour goes to Mile 43. It’s still amazing even though access deeper into the park is limited.
The other access option you have for today’s Denali National Park itinerary of exploring is the Denali Transit Bus. This is the hop-on-hop-off bus that is NOT narrated. You can book this bus ticket (much less expensive than the tour) and then get off the bus anywhere the driver deems safe (or that isn’t restricted). This bus goes the same route as the Tundra Wilderness Tour, and once the Park Road repairs are done, it’ll go all the way to Wonder Lake.
Denali Park Road Updates for Summer 2025: Due to the Pretty Rocks landslide and road maintenance, Denali Park Road will only be open to Mile 43 (Toklat River) in summer 2025. The Transit Bus will also run to this point, offering wildlife viewing and scenic stops to do independent tundra hiking.
Booking your Denali Transit Bus Ticket
Reserve your Transit Bus tickets in advance through the National Park Service authorized tour operators. The Transit bus provides a more flexible, hop-on/hop-off experience compared to narrated tours. Bring water, snacks, and layers if you’re doing to the flexible option, as the journey will take several hours, especially if you plan on doing some off-trail hiking. If you don’t want to book your bus ticket in advance, then you shouldn’t include this day’s activities on your Denali itinerary. It’s that important to plan for it.
Tour Bus Times: When you book your Denali Natural History or Tundra Wilderness Tour you’ll get a confirmation email. In that email there’s a link at the bottom to confirm your tour time 48 hours before your tour date. You’ll need to follow that link, visit the website or call 48 hours before the date you’ve selected. You’ll be given a tour time within the morning or afternoon window, depending on what you chose at the time you booked.
Non-Tour Departure Time: Transit Buses generally start in the early morning. Plan for a full day of wildlife spotting, as this is the best way to see caribou, moose, bears, and even wolves. You can plan your departure time, but your return time is dependent on space on the bus when you try to return.
Pack a Lunch: Grab a packed lunch from your lodge or pick up supplies from the local grocery. The park has no food services along the road, so plan to eat on the bus or at a scenic stop. If you’re on the longer Tundra Wilderness Tour, a boxed lunch / snack box is provided
Day 3: Explore More Trails and Scenic Areas
For our last day here, our Denali National Park itinerary includes a bit more hiking, an awesome picnic, and the option of adding an adventure tour. If you want to have another day deep in the park, you can book a Transit Bus ticket and mimic the plan from yesterday but with the hop-of-hop-off bus if you did the tour bus. Or you can go with the plan we have below.
Savage River Hiking
Since access beyond Mile 43 is limited in 2025, I think spending your day exploring the Savage River area (Mile 15), which has some beautiful trails and scenic views, is a great way to enjoy Denali National Park. There are several maintained trails, which is unique in the Park, and then you also have free reign to do off-trail hiking. Here are two maintained trails for your morning of hiking:
- Savage River Loop Trail (2 miles): This easy loop follows the river and offers a chance to see wildlife, such as Dall sheep and marmots, and I’ve seen foxes here too.
- Savage Alpine Trail (4 miles one way): A more challenging option with a climb that rewards hikers with panoramic views of Denali and the Alaska Range on a clear day. This is a great trail for seeing wildlife in early summer before there are a lot of hikers out and about.
Bring a boxed lunch for a picnic at Savage River: There are actual picnic tables around the parking area at the trailhead, or you can wander off into the valley and find a nice place to eat. Alternatively, return to the park entrance for lunch at the Denali National Park Visitor Center’s café, the Morina Grill (open seasonally, of course).
Afternoon Denali Excursions
There are a few ways to approach your lakes afternoon for your Denali National Park Itinerary. If you want to stay on a budget, we’ve got a great hike for you. The Triple Lakes Trail is a long, beautiful trail with views and wildlife. You don’t have to do the full 9 miles, but set out from the Visitor Center and go as far as you want, returning with plenty of time to have dinner in town.
For a zero-cost, zero stress, super easy and utterly worthwhile activity, drive your own vehicle into the Park and do easy off-trail hiking just within the first 15 miles of the Park Road. There is plenty of parking at the Mountain Vista picnic area and then trails leading away from the maintained areas. This is an AMAZING place to see moose and other wildlife, and is very easy for nearly any type of visitor. The first portion of the Mountain Vista trail is even wheelchair accessible.
If you’re more thinking that you want to go all in and book a tour or two, here are my top picks for a unique experience at Denali National Park:
- Rafting the Nenana River
- Helicopter Flight to Mount Denali
- ATV adventure in the backcountry (outside of the park)
- Off-trail guided hiking — Guided mountain hiking
- Tundra walk with sled dogs
I think that these all off a fun opportunity for experiencing Denali National Park differently. If you can add one of these activities to your Denali itinerary, you’ll have a great time and come back with some good stories and beautiful photos.
Where to Stay at Denali National Park
When you’re planning your trip to Denali National Park you can choose to stay in the townsite outside the park, somewhere within an hour of the park (Healy or Cantwell) or you can camp IN the park. Camping in Alaska is complicated unless you live here are you’ll need to rent all the gear and then it’s not familiar and it’s a bit of a pain, BUT IT’S DOABLE. Between renting gear and a car OR renting an RV, the cost comes close or up to more than a hotel or lodge.
Outside the park there are lots of options, albeit most are quite expensive. I think planning your visit to Denali National Park to have only a few nights in a hotel here and then moving onto another destination is a great way to manage your travel costs and keep your Alaska trip moving along nicely.
Within the townsite, the lodges are pretty nice, with much of the tourism being built around accommodating cruise tour guests, such as the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge (I used to work here!), the McKinley Chalets (Holland America) and others. Other options include Denali Village, the Denali Bluffs and the Grand Denali Lodge.
Note: keep in mind that most of the hotels at Denali National Park close in early or mid September, so if you’re visiting at the end of the summer, you’ll be very limited. After September 10th or so, most of the town is already shut down.
As I said, staying within Denali National Park is limited to camping (unless you’re really fancy and get to stay in Kantishna deep in the Park. There are some great lodges near the entrance to Denali NP and the surrounding area, as well as unique, Alaskan vacation rentals.
Where to Eat Outside Denali NP
The townsite outside of Denali National Park has lots of restaurants, and each hotel or lodge has one too. Restaurants at the lodges aren’t typically limited to only those guests staying AT the respective lodge, so depending on how busy everything is and what sounds good, explore a different property than where you’re staying.
Here are my top picks for dining outside of Denali National Park, and keep in mind that some of these spots will also do to-go or picnic lunches if requested in advance.
- Denali Doghouse – my kids’ favorite
- Prospector’s Pizzeria & Alehouse – awesome pizza
- Karstens Public House – at the McKinley Chalets, good burgers
- Lynx Creek Pizza – at the front of Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
- Canyon Steakhouse – fancy and delicious
- Grab and Go – lunches and easy food
- Chinese Express (Thai and Chinese food to go) – open late in the year
There are more options, but these are our favorites. If you have a favorite, we’d love to hear about it and try it next time we’re in town.
More Denali ideas and activities:
I hope you’re excited to experience this Denali itinerary. Remember that you can adjust the plans to suit your schedule and travel party. Between the beautiful views and sense of Alaskan adventure, I know you’ll love it and will want to return to this amazing National Park again and again. If you have any questions about visiting Denali NP, navigating Interior Alaska, or planning an AK road trip please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help with travel planning for an Alaska Trip!
