Denali Park, Alaska is a must-see in order to experience the Alaskan wildlife in its natural environment. This 6 million acre park, with ice-covered Mt. McKinley near the middle, is magnificent in the beauty of its glaciers, wildlife, hills and forests. Visiting when the wildlife is active will make for an unforgettable trip.
Fly up to the Summit Airport, about 6 miles outside of Cantwell.
Drive up from Anchorage to the main entrance, about 160 miles.
Ride the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to the park. The train stops at Denali Park after an eight-hour ride.
To book accommodations, contact the National Park Service at (907) 683-2294 or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). Stay inside the park to be close to the action. Several lodges offer cabin-style accommodations, some with special lectures and touring opportunities. Staying within Denali's borders will cost you. Expect to pay between $300 and $600 per night for that luxury.
Look for luxury accommodations just outside the park's borders. You won't pay as much, and you'll get pampered by on-site restaurants, bars and outdoor hot tubs.
Select a lodge that offers free shuttle service into the park. You don't want to drive within park borders and you certainly don't want to hoof it--save that for the trails inside Denali.
Take a fabulous flight-seeing tour. Land on the glaciers, take a hike with your tour guide and fly back.
Take a twin-engined, enclosed jet boat safari and see Denali from the water. Some family-friendly boating captains will show you how to pan for gold.
Climb Mt. McKinley. Fly to base camp at 7,200 feet and go from there. Temperatures get down to -30 or -40 degrees F, even in the summer.
