a white colored sheep standing on a mountainside overlooking a green valley

National Park & Preserve

Denali National Park & Preserve

visit on nps.gov

Info

Denali is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelers along it see the relatively low-elevation taiga forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America's tallest peak, 20,310' Mount McKinley. Wild animals large and small roam un-fenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await.

Park Photos

a white colored sheep standing on a mountainside overlooking a green valley
1 of 10

Congress originally created Denali National Park (called Mount McKinley National Park, at the time) to protect wildlife, particularly Dall sheep

Credit: NPS Photo / Nathan Kostegian

a white colored sheep standing on a mountainside overlooking a green valley
snowy mountains reflected in a pond
A huge snowy mountain looming over a landscape of forests and water
a vast white mountain looming over a brown landscape
a man standing next to a green bus
light turns a snowy mountain shades of pink and purple
a park ranger leading hikers up a steep mountainside
three brown bears walking along a dirt road
a bus on a gravel road behind a large caribou that is trotting on the road
a large seated crowd faces a park ranger and a small group of sled dogs

Activities

Biking
Camping
Backcountry Camping
Car or Front Country Camping
Group Camping
RV Camping
Climbing
Mountain Climbing
Hiking
Backcountry Hiking
Front-Country Hiking
Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
Arts and Culture
Guided Tours
Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
Junior Ranger Program
Bookstore and Park Store
Astronomy
Stargazing
Gathering and Foraging
Wildlife Watching
Park Film
Dog Sledding
Cross-Country Skiing
Snow Play
Snowmobiling
Snowshoeing
Fishing
Skiing
Hunting and Gathering
Hunting
Food
Flying
Shopping

Fees

Passes

Operating Hours

Denali is open 24-hours a day, although services are limited after-hours (generally after 4 pm in winter or 6 pm in summer). There is no gate at the park entrance. Please note that camping is only possible either in designated campgrounds (with a valid reservation) or in the rest of the park with a free backpacking permit.

DayHours
Friday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Sunday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Saturday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day

Weather info

Summer is typically cool and wet, with highs typically in the upper 50s to low 60s, and lows in the 40s. On occasion, summer highs reach the low 80s, though this is rare. Snow can fall any month of the year, so be prepared for chilly weather even in summer. Fall colors emerge on the alpine tundra in August and in the low valleys in early September. Winter generally starts in mid-September, with temps often getting down to -40 by January. Spring is a short season in April / May, with highs above freezing.

Events