{"id":"nps-dena","slug":"denali-national-park-and-preserve","name":"Denali National Park & Preserve","designation":"National Park & Preserve","category":"national-park","categoryLabel":"National Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"DENA","designation":"National Park & Preserve","sourceId":"nps-dena"}],"states":["AK"],"stateNames":["Alaska"],"location":{"lat":63.29777484,"lon":-151.0526568},"bbox":[-152.8846,62.2927,-148.7779,64.0732],"acres":{"value":6002331,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=64.0732&b_tl_lng=-152.8846&b_br_lat=62.2927&b_br_lng=-148.7779","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Denali%20National%20Park%20%26%20Preserve","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C83CC90-1DD8-B71B-0B1F35E5ED96E36F.jpg","title":"Dall Sheep","alt":"a white colored sheep standing on a mountainside overlooking a green valley","caption":"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","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C83C9C7-1DD8-B71B-0B9B669ED961F97E.jpg","title":"Mountains and Reflection Pond","alt":"snowy mountains reflected in a pond","caption":"Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in North America","credit":"NPS Photo / Nathan Kostegian","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/FC6D4E23-02EE-B80D-09D9ECF7C334566E.jpg","title":"Talkeetna View","alt":"A huge snowy mountain looming over a landscape of forests and water","caption":"The view of Mt. McKinley from the south, in Talkeetna, Alaska","credit":"NPS Photo / Emily Mesner","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C83CB1A-1DD8-B71B-0BBB071EB28A90FD.jpg","title":"View from Stony Overlook","alt":"a vast white mountain looming over a brown landscape","caption":"Many bus trips into Denali pause at Stony Overlook, which features a great view of Mt. McKinley when skies are clear","credit":"NPS Photo / Nathan Kostegian","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/FC8ECC8C-A531-46F8-0D60DF1C84105DBE.jpg","title":"Grizzlies","alt":"three brown bears walking along a dirt road","caption":"Grizzlies walking on the park's sole road","credit":"NPS Photo / Emily Mesner","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/FC931BD0-F8BD-057C-1A1C1B165BCADB38.jpg","title":"Caribou Sighting","alt":"a bus on a gravel road behind a large caribou that is trotting on the road","caption":"A tour bus pauses to view a caribou as it walks on the Denali Park Road","credit":"NPS Photo / Emily Mesner","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/6C5D870D-FBD8-2BFA-D544173DA8617964.jpg","title":"Thorofare Pass","alt":"A team of several huskies pulls a sled across a vast, snowy, winter landscape.","caption":"A sled dog team mushes through Thorofare Pass on a winter patrol.","credit":"NPS Photo / Lida Wise","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/FC7B6DBE-B7A8-DC59-246E01A289DBF21E.jpg","title":"Alpenglow","alt":"light turns a snowy mountain shades of pink and purple","caption":"Alpenglow on North America's tallest peak","credit":"NPS Photo / Emily Mesner","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/6C9D9EA6-0473-2CF5-0B17F87B052C28F8.jpg","title":"Tour Bus","alt":"A bus drives along a dusty, gravel road through a forest with mountains and a river in the distance.","caption":"A tour bus travels along the Denali Park Road.","credit":"NPS Photo / Emily Mesner","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/FC83BEFE-AE6C-5FF4-B24723DEBC350D5B.jpg","title":"Discovery Hike","alt":"a park ranger leading hikers up a steep mountainside","caption":"Visitors following a ranger on a Discovery Hike, an off-trail adventure","credit":"NPS Photo / Emily Mesner","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/6DD405BA-AE03-B81B-11A0EDC96BDC3737.jpg","title":"Polychrome Views","alt":"A man holding a camera looks out across a vast valley toward snow-capped mountains in the distance.","caption":"A trip along the Denali Park Road offers stunning views around every corner.","credit":"NPS Photo / Kent Miller","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Astronomy","Stargazing","Biking","Camping","Backcountry Camping","Car or Front Country Camping","Group Camping","RV Camping","Climbing","Mountain Climbing","Dog Sledding","Fishing","Food","Flying","Guided Tours","Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour","Hiking","Backcountry Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Off-Trail Permitted Hiking","Hunting and Gathering","Gathering and Foraging","Hunting","Junior Ranger Program","Skiing","Cross-Country Skiing","Snow Play","Snowmobiling","Snowshoeing","Wildlife Watching","Park Film","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Archeology","Arts","Aviation","Industry","Mining","Transportation","Roads, Routes and Highways","Westward Expansion","The Gold Rush","Animals","Birds","Wolves","Arctic","Tundra","Climate Change","Fire","Forests and Woodlands","Coniferous Forests","Fossils and Paleontology","Dinosaur","Geology","Glaciers","Lakes","Mountains","Natural Sounds","Night Sky","Aurora Borealis","River and Riparian","Scenic Views","Trails","Wilderness"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"15.00","description":"Denali charges an entrance fee year-round. Youth age 15 or younger are free. For people age 16 or older, the $15 entrance fee provides a 7-day entrance permit. Be prepared to show your receipt or pass (digital or physical) if requested by park staff."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"45.00","description":"The Denali Annual Pass covers up to four adults. You may purchase it online or in person at the park."}],"hours":[{"name":"All Park Hours","description":"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.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"You can drive to Denali from Anchorage or Fairbanks, along Highway 3, which is known as the \"George Parks Highway.\" Fairbanks is about 2 hours north, while Anchorage is 5 hours south of the Denali entrance. You can also reach Denali from either city via the Alaska Railroad, which is operated by the State of Alaska.","weatherInfo":"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.","contacts":{"phone":"9076839532","email":"denali_info@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Denali Visitor Center","description":"Open in summer only, this is the main visitor center near the park entrance. During the summer, you can explore exhibits, watch the park film, pay the park entrance fee, and talk with a ranger. In fall, winter, and spring, the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) acts as the park's Winter Visitor Center.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/the-denali-visitor-center.htm","lat":63.730911668111766,"lon":-148.91712815669547},{"name":"Murie Science and Learning Center","description":"The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) is located at Mile 1.3 of the Denali Park Road at the entrance of Denali National Park and Preserve. In winter, the MSLC is Denali’s Winter Visitor Center. The MSLC is closed to the public in summer, when it serves as an operations base for registration-based educational programs. A 24-hour Automated Fee Machine is located outside the building. You can purchase the park entrance fee and Denali Annual Pass here by credit card only.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/rlc/murie/index.htm","lat":63.7335528488,"lon":-148.917718027},{"name":"Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station","description":"Located in the town of Talkeetna, about 100 miles south of the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, this ranger station serves as the center of mountaineering operations. Climbers wishing to attempt Mount McKinley or other peaks in the Alaska Range stop here first, for an orientation to the mountain and to acquire their climbing permit. This ranger station also offers some visitor services, particularly in summer. It is open year-round.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/walter-haper-trs.htm","lat":62.32249371228558,"lon":-150.11714372223622},{"name":"Denali Bus Depot","description":"This summer facility is operated by our concessionaire rather than by the National Park Service. It is the primary place to buy bus tickets, arrange for stays in park campgrounds, or to check in for an existing reservation. Coffee and grab-and-go food is also available for purchase. Only credit cards are accepted here.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/wildernessaccesscenter.htm","lat":63.736536,"lon":-148.897484},{"name":"Indoor Picnic Area","description":"A heated building, called the Indoor Picnic Area, is located next door to the Murie Science and Learning Center. Open in winter only, mid-October to mid-April. Restrooms and a water bottle filling station are available. Food service is not provided, so bring your own food to eat.","url":"","lat":63.7335511,"lon":-148.917693019},{"name":"Eielson Visitor Center","description":"Located at Mile 66 of the Denali Park Road. Beginning in 2027, the Eielson Visitor Center will be closed for up to two years for roof replacement. During the closure, trails in the area are still open but transit buses will not make a scheduled rest stop here.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/the-eielson-visitor-center.htm","lat":63.43080122836224,"lon":-150.31166799210854}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Riley Creek","description":"Riley Creek is a fairly wooded campground, with some screening between sites whenever possible. Most of the campground sites are open to either tent campers or vehicles / RVs. The proximity of Highway 3 means there is occasional traffic noise, but also means campers have all the conveniences and amenities of the park entrance area, and businesses outside the park, close at hand. Trails leading from the campground connect to the Denali Visitor Center, which is the central hub of trails in the entrance area.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-riley.htm","reservationUrl":"http://www.reservedenali.com","sites":144},{"name":"Savage River","description":"Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Savage River campground is located at Mile 13 on the Denali Park Road. It sits in a spruce forest, with moderate screening between sites. On clear days, Mount McKinley can be seen from a short walk below the campground.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-savage.htm","reservationUrl":"http://www.reservedenali.com","sites":32},{"name":"Sanctuary River","description":"Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Sanctuary River is a heavily wooded campground, with screening between most sites. The immediate area is brushy, but nearby mountains offer chances to hike directly from the campground and gain elevation, with views of Mount McKinley to the south possible on clear days, after some strenuous up-hill hiking. Sanctuary is tent-only—you will not find any RVs or other vehicles in this campground. It is accessible only by camper bus.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-sanctuary.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.reservedenali.com/","sites":7},{"name":"Teklanika River","description":"Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Though nearly all private vehicles must turn around at mile 15, Savage River, Tek campers are an exception to that rule. If you wish, you may drive your vehicle/RV to Tek. In order to drive to Tek you are required to stay for a minimum of three nights, and your vehicle must stay in your campsite for the duration of your stay, while you use transit buses to sightsee. Tent campers using the park bus system to reach Tek are not subject to the 3-night minimum stay.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-tek.htm","reservationUrl":"http://www.reservedenali.com","sites":53},{"name":"Igloo Creek","description":"The campground is at mile 35 on the Park Road. It offers 7 sites, making it the smallest in Denali (along with Sanctuary River Campground, which also has 7 sites). Igloo is tent-only—you will not find any RVs or other vehicles in this campground. It is accessible only by camper bus. The bus stop is a short walk from the campsites (less than 50 yards).","url":"https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-igloo.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":7},{"name":"Wonder Lake","description":"Wonder Lake Campground is at mile 85 on the Denali Park Road. It offers 28 tent-only sites. This is the closest campground to Mount McKinley. Though still nearly 26 miles away, the sheer size of the mountain makes it loom impressively over Wonder Lake Campground. Cloudy skies can obscure views, and mosquitoes can be fierce, but clear days offer views that will last a lifetime. Bear-proof food lockers are available throughout the campground.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-wonder.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.reservedenali.com","sites":28}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"nowitna-national-wildlife-refuge","km":206},{"slug":"alaska-public-lands","km":239}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=dena"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.610Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Road Open To: Mile 3 (Park Headquarters)","text":"The Denali Park Road is currently open to Mile 3, Park Headquarters. Snowy conditions beyond that point prevent vehicle travel, though pedestrian travel is permitted.","url":null,"updated":"2026-10-20 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-246FF559-AA9B-4F13-9F5F-C7715E5F1DD4"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/denali-national-park-and-preserve/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/denali-national-park-and-preserve.geojson"}