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Denali National Park and Preserve
Denali
Denali National Park and Preserve is located in the central part of Alaska.
It was established as Mount
McKinley National Park in 1917 and re-designated in 1980. The park
contains one of the most scenic regions of the Alaska Range and contains Mount
McKinley, or Denali, the highest peak in North America, at 20,320 feet.
There are many things to do at the Denali National Park and Preserve,
including, wildlife viewing, mountaineering, and backpacking. It
continues to provide a laboratory for research in the natural sciences.
Numerous active glaciers continue to shape a landscape of broad,
U-shaped valleys and small kettle lakes. Most of the park lies above the
timberline, where vegetation is mainly lichens, mosses, and sedges. The
park’s plentiful wildlife includes caribou, moose, brown bear, timber
wolf, and the mountain-dwelling Dall sheep.
More then 650 species of flowering plants as well as many species of
mosses, lichens, fungi, algae, and others grace the slops and valleys of
Denali. Only plants adapted to long, bitterly cold winters can survive
in this sub arctic wilderness. Deep beds of intermittent permafrost -
ground frozen for thousands of years - underlie portions of the park and
preserve. Only the thinnest layer of the topsoil thaws each summer to
support life.
Denali National Park & Preserve features North America's highest
mountain, 20,320-foot tall Mount McKinley. The Alaska Range also
includes countless other spectacular mountains and many large glaciers.
Denali's more than 6 million acres also encompass a complete sub-arctic
eco-system with large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep,
and moose.
Today the park accommodates a wide variety of visitor use including
wildlife viewing, mountaineering, and backpacking. It continues to
provide a laboratory for research in the natural sciences.
Travel Information for the Park Includes:
Operating Hours and Facilities:
The primary visitation season runs from May 1 to September 15.
Visitation is lowest in winter months. Daily, summer; Visitor
Center hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
September 17 - 30 Visitor Center hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Daily, winter: Headquarters Building, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Getting There:
PLANE - Air travel to either Anchorage or Fairbanks and then
car/shuttle/train to Denali. Anchorage is 240 miles to the south and
Fairbanks is 125 miles to the north of the park.
CAR - Denali Park's headquarters is located along Alaska Route 3, the
George Parks Highway, approximately 240 miles north of Anchorage, AK,
125 miles south of Fairbanks, AK, and 12 miles south of Healy, AK.
Denali Park's mountaineering headquarters is located in Talkeetna, AK,
approximately 100 miles north of Anchorage, AK.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Denali is accessible by car or via the Alaska
Railroad from either Anchorage or Fairbanks. In summer a variety of
private bus and van services and the railroad operate daily from
Anchorage and Fairbanks. If you are flying your own airplane to Denali
visit our "Flight Site" at www.nps.gov/dena/aviation
Weather & Climate:
Summers are generally cool and damp with average high temperatures in
the mid-60s. Winters are extremely cold with temperatures falling to
-40F and below. Layers of clothing, including good rain gear and hiking
boots are recommended for summer. Specialized cold-weather gear is
necessary for mountaineering and winter visits.
Accessibility:
Most restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Savage Cabin Trail is
wheelchair accessible. Some tour and shuttle buses are accessible please
advise staff of needs when making your advance reservations. The Visitor
Center orientation program is open captioned.
Getting Around:
The Denali Park Road is accessible by private vehicle for 14.8 miles to
the Savage River bridge. To travel to destinations farther into the
park, including Eielson Visitor Center, shuttle and tour bus services
are available. Bicycles are permitted along the Park Road.
Fees and Permits Required:
Entrance Fee
Single/family
$5.00/$10.00 for 7 Days
Activity Fee
Shuttle bus and tour bus fees
Special Use Permits
Climbing and permit fee
$150.00/climber for One Time
To climb Denali you must first obtain a permit and register.
Camping:
Igloo Creek Campground
Closed due to wildlife activity
This campground is currently CLOSED due to wildlife activity. Located
near mile 34 of the Park Road with 7 tent sites only; no vehicles;
shuttle bus access only. No water available but there are chemical
toilets. $9.00 per night fee. Igloo Ranger Station nearby.
Riley Creek Campground
Open All Year
Riley Creek Campground is situated near the park entrance. There are 100
sites for RVs & tents. There is water from mid-May through early
September only. Flush toilets and pay phone available. You may make book
a site in person at the Visitor Center or via advance reservations by
phone starting in late February. Please call 1-800-622-7275 (PARK)
nationwide or 1-907-272-7275 for International and Anchorage callers.
For More Information on this campground please call 1-800-622-7275
Sanctuary River Campground
Open From 05/18/2002 To 09/15/2002
Located at mile 23 with 7 sites for tents only; accessible by shuttle
bus only. Open mid-May through mid-September; weather dependent. No
water available. Chemical toilets. Located near Sanctuary Ranger
Station. Reserve at Visitor Center; store food in food lockers; no open
fires - stoves only. $9.00 per night cost.
For More Information on this campground please call 1 800 622 7275
Savage River Campground
Open From 05/18/2002 To 09/16/2002
Located at mile 13 of the Park Road with 33 sites for RVs and tents.
Open mid-May through mid-September - weather dependent. Water available,
flush toilets, $18.00 per night plus $4.00 reservation fee. Advance
Reservations made by calling 1-800-622-7275 or 1-907-272-7275 for
International and Anchorage callers. Campground hosts on site. Store
food in food lockers.
For More Information on this campground please call 1-800-622-7275
Teklanika River Campground
Open From 05/18/2002 To 09/16/2002 - Currently closed to tents due to
wildlife activity
Located at mile 29 with 53 sites for RVs and tents. Open mid-May through
mid-September; weather dependent. Flush toilets and water available.
Cost is $16.00 per night and an additional $4.00 for the one-time
reservation fee. You can also reserve in person at the Visitor Center
and there is a three night mimimum stay for vehicle campers. Reserve by
calling 1-800-622-7275 or International and Anchorage callers may call
1-907-272-7275.
For More Information on this campground please call 1-800-622-7275
Wonder Lake Campground
Open From 06/10/2002 To 09/15/02
Located near mile 85 on the Park Road with 28 tents sites only and
access by shuttle bus only. Open June - mid-September; weather
dependent. Water is available and flush toilets. Cost is $16.00 per
night with an additional one-time $4.00 reservation fee. You can reserve
in advance by calling 1-800-622-7275 or International and Anchorage
callers may phone 1-907-272-7275. Store food in lockers; no open fires -
stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call 1-800-622-7275
Facilities:
Ranger Stations
TALKEETNA RANGER STATION
Open All Year 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone - 907-733-2231
Location - To visit the Talkeetna Ranger Station turn at mile 98 on the
George Parks Highway at the Talkeetna turnoff. Drive 14 miles to the
townsite on the Talkeetna Spur Road (paved). At the end of Main Street
turn left onto B street (about 4 blocks. The Talkeetna Ranger Station is
the first building on the left.
Special Programs - Join us for interpretive programs on the history of
climbing at Denali and other topics of interest.
Exhibits - Bradford Washburn's photos of the Alaska Range are on display
at the Ranger Station.
Available Facilities - Mountaineers and visitors may stop by the station
to obtain information about climbing in the Alaska Range. Climbers must
register 60 days in advanceof their climb an dpay a $150.00 fee for
climbing Mt. McKinley or Mt. Foraker. Write to the Talkeetna Ranger
Station at P.O. box 588, Talkeetna, Alaska 99676 or phone. Restrooms
available on site.
Visitor Centers
DENALI NATIONAL PARK VISITOR CENTER
Open From 4/29/2002 To 09/30/2002 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Phone - 907-683-1266 or 1267
Location - Located at mile 1 of the Denali Park Road.
Closures - Closed in the winter from September through late April.
Special Programs - Annual Winterfest takes place in early spring;
usually during March. Call Park Headquarters for details at
(907)-683-2294.
Exhibits - Information about how to travel safetly in the backcountry. A
12-minute slide program is shown throughout the day. Rangers also
present programs at the back porch several times throughout the day.
Available Facilities - Theater, rest rooms, shuttle and tour
reservations, ticket pick-up,Junior Ranger Program, backcountry permits
and sign-up for ranger-led Discovery Hikes all take place here.
EIELSON VISITOR CENTER
Open From 06/01/2002 To 09/17/2002 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Phone - n/a
Location - Mile 66 of the Denali Park Road with access by shuttle bus.
Special Programs - Rangers provide information, assistance, and a daily
guided walk at 1:30 p.m..
Exhibits - Geology information and rangers on hand to answer any
questions and provide porch talks.
Available Facilities - Bookstore with maps, postcards, and other
educational materials. Running water and flush toilets available. No
food service.
Alaska National Parks
To experience the beauty
of Alaska, we have included a few of the Alaska National Parks
which you may wish to visit.
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