Things to do & places to visit in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, United States

Denali National Park and Preserve cover image

Denali National Park and Preserve is most famous for being the home of Mount McKinley, also called Denali, meaning "The Great One." At 20,320 feet, Mount McKinley is the highest peak in North America. The park, which is larger than the state of Massachusetts, has only one road, making it the perfect backcountry adventure. Try to spot The Big Five: moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves and grizzly bears.

Denali National Park and Preserve national park in Alaska, United States. Timezone: America/Anchorage, current date and time: Thursday, May 09, 2024, 23:02.

Top things to do (20)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Denali (2.911 reviews)
- A must for anyone visiting Alaska!
Mountains

America's tallest peak, this 20,320-foot mountain is the most famous part of this national park. See more..
5.0 Husky Homestead (1.947 reviews)
- The BEST part of our trip
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

Enjoy a warm welcome and experience a true Alaskan lifestyle at Husky Homestead—home of Iditarod Champion, Jeff King. Husky Homestead is widely heralded as an authentic look into rural lifestyles based on 40 years of Alaskan adventures: from freight hauling on Denali to crossing the finish line in Nome, Alaska with a champion Iditarod team. See puppies upon arrival and share an intimate view of the Alaskan Husky as the team explodes from the dog yard and witness their beauty in motion as they run on our treadmill before hitting the trail for a training run. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating a championship team and carving a life in Alaska's Interior. Hear compelling stories from the trail and see actual racing sleds, arctic survival gear and equipment used to traverse 1100 miles of Alaska's most rugged terrain. Dress in extra layers, wear comfortable shoes, bring bug repellent - and your camera! Our 2021 season will run from June 1 - August 31. See more..
5.0 Dog Gone It (233 reviews)
- Puppy Love
Spent 2-3 hours Farms

Visit the home and kennel of Iditarod musher Mike Santos. Learn what it is like to live with the world’s greatest athletes as you visit with our puppies, witness sled dogs in action, and experience running the Iditarod through our multimedia presentation. Enjoy stories of the adventures of living an ever-growing dream both on and off the trail. Discover what it is like to live in the Last Frontier and experience the journey that is Iditarod. DogGoneIt stands out as one of the most memorable experiences of an Alaskan vacation. Not only do you have the chance to learn about the Iditarod and meet the dogs and puppies, but the intimate visit to our Alaskan home gives you the chance to learn about the real experience of living in Alaska and make personal connections with our family. This authentic atmosphere combined with a professional tour experience have made DogGoneIt winner of numerous awards including Activity of the Year and Highest Rated Attraction. See more..
5.0 Denali Horseback Tours (154 reviews)
- Wonderful experience
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Horseback Riding Tours

Denali Horseback Tours is a small, locally owned and operated business based in Healy, Alaska, just few minutes from Denali National Park entrance. We live here year-round and would like to share our Alaskan lifestyle with you! Come ride with us, the closest horseback outfitter to Denali, into some of the most spectacular backcountry in the world, under the midnight sun of Alaska’s north! All reservations must be made in advance, no walk-ins please. Check out denalihorsebacktours.com for more info! See more..
5.0 Savage Alpine Trail (84 reviews)
- Great Hike In Denali
Hiking Trails

Hiked the trail starting from the Mountain Vista trailhead. It was a great hike. The hike is 100% uphill and then 100% downhill. The Savage River end of the trail is steep. The top of the hike was windy and chilly on the day we hiked. We had a picnic at the top. The day was overcast, so we did not see Denali from the top. The vista was beautiful nonetheless! See more..
5.0 Wild about Denali (44 reviews)
- UNIQUE AND FUN
Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries

What a great stop. While staying in Denali we wandered into this little shop and were so pleasantly surprised. There were hand designed T's and Sweatshirts with so many different logos. They were not your usual fare. Some jewelry and more. They also had a unique idea to send yourself or someone else a bark postcard, I have received mine and it is a great memento from my visit. The owner was there and so enthusiastic about his little shop and all the treasures, if you find yourself in Denali- Stop it. See more..
5.0 Denali Mountain Works (11 reviews)
- Great range of outdoor equipment, great service. Can't go wrong stopping here.
Speciality & Gift Shops

An amazing variety of outdoor equipment in a fairly small store. We needed some additional things for backpacking in Denali and found it all here. It turned out our AirBnB had some bear spray, so we were able to return the two cans we bought after the trip was over. They took them back without batting an eye. Very friendly, knowledgeable staff. Everything you could need for adventuring in Denali! See more..
5.0 Old Sourdough Studio (6 reviews)
- Do This!
Art Galleries

The best souvenir of our trip! The group picture we had taken on the dog sled is a wonderful memento of Alaska! See more..
5.0 Mount Margaret Summit (6 reviews)
- Beautiful, yet challenging, hike
Hiking Trails

This is a great way to get out and see the park and put some distance between you and the crowds. Drive down to Savage Creek and park you car (it's the farthest you can drive you own vehicle). My buddy and I hiked north along Savage creek for a mile or so, and then cut west, straight up the mountain slope. It was a bit of a slog up the slope, but lots of fun. Once you crest the top, you're good to go. We didn't really follow a trail, but it's hard to get lost out there as long as you keep your wits about you. Great day hike. Great way to get away from the tourists. See more..
5.0 Three Bears Gallery (5 reviews)
- A Must-See Gem at Denali!
Art Galleries
Three Bears Gallery is a wonderful place to visit! Shane Lamb's photography is amazing and there are also art from other Alaskan artists, including Native Alaskans. Shane and his wife are very friendly and knowledgeable. Three Bears Gallery is so much better than even the Kantishna Gallery. Would highly recommend you visit this wonderful gallery for beautiful, meaningful Alaskan gifts (not just the standard touristy fare you find at other gift shops). And Shane Lamb's photography is breathtaking - don't miss this!!! Definitely a "Must See" place if you are at Denali National Park! See more..
5.0 Tonglen Lake Canine Resort (2 reviews)
- Quite, peaceful and puppies!!!
Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Dog Tracks
Donna and her staff are awesome! Way off the road so you will not have road noise like many of the other places around! Great cafe with breakfast that they will send with you if you have an early bus through the park! Sack lunches are also available. Wonderful cabins, patio for wine in the afternoon and the dogs!!! Great place to stay while in Denali - away from all the people! Relaxing!!! See more..
5.0 Broad Pass (1 review)
- Amazing view of Denali
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts

Broad Pass is located just a few miles south of Cantwell. AK on the Parks Highway and about mile 203. There are multiple lakes in the area and outstanding views of Denali (aka Mt. McKinley). The area is known for the abundance of blueberries and their easy accessiblity. Moose, caribou and the occasional bear are seen in the area. There are streams known for their abundance of Grayling throughout the area as well. Watch the lakes for Trumpter Swans especially in the late summer/early fall. See more..
4.5 Denali Visitor Center (1.573 reviews)
- Stop here first
Visitor Centers

The visitor center or the Bus station are the Best place to start when wants to do anything in the park. They will direct you on tent camping, RV camping, hiking (front or back) the bus routes/rides that’ll get you the closest to see anything. There’s also a gift shop, history center, science center, fake Starbucks, & a small restaurant with vegetarian options. See more..
4.5 Park Road (1.251 reviews)
- First 15 miles are paved
Biking Trails • Scenic Drives

Scenic 90-mile roadway that winds through Alaska's Denali National Park. See more..
4.5 Sled Dog Demonstration (934 reviews)
- Dog Sled Demo in August
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Theatre & Performances

We took the roadside hike from the Visitor Center to the Dog Sled Kennels to see the demonstration. Very informative talk by the ranger to start the demo. Very much enjoyed seeing all the dogs, so beautiful & friendly. The dogs were all so eager to be part of the demo - they are started barking as soon as they knew it was time to start. Would definitely recommend this demo. Arrive early if on foot since they are many tour buses that stop here! We enjoyed the area after all the buses left - much more time to really see the dogs up close without all the people. See more..
4.5 Eielson Visitor Center (428 reviews)
- Worth the bus ride
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Visitor Centers

We took the 6 AM shuttle and it was well worth getting up! Some animals we saw was a bear, caribou, moose, and snowshoe hares. Our bus driver Matt was amazing. He told us some many interesting facts and it’s lovely to see people so passionate about what they do. The rangers at the visitor center where helpful and they provided an easy, moderate, and hard hikes (we did all three in a few hours), and the four hour drive was picturesque. I would definitely recommend coming early and spending a few hours there. You can also go off grid and hike at your own convenience. Just wanted to also let people know that if you do buy tickets and have a later tour, BUY THEM IN ADVANCE. The park rangers make you go to the visitor center and print them out there, so make sure to get their early. Hope this helps, we had a wonderful time! See more..
4.5 Wilderness Access Center (329 reviews)
- Vistor Center (Last pick up spot)
Visitor Centers

Where the bus tours start. it's the last pick up for the Tundra tour, so most of the seats will be filled fyi. We got lucky that the entire bus was filled with 1 tour group and the 3 of us. They left us the fourth row free, so we were able to sit on the same row at least. The center has a coffee bar, service reps, and a small gift shop. They were nice and helpful with some questions we had. Use the restrooms here for sure. It also had some info on the walls, etc. Nice to read about the history of how it all came about. See more..
4.5 Wonder Lake (300 reviews)
- Some great hiking trails - just beautiful
Bodies of Water

Picturesque lake located in Denali National Park with sweeping views of the Alaskan landscape. See more..
4.5 Savage River Loop Trail (224 reviews)
- Great Hike
Hiking Trails

Probably my favorite hike (out of the ones we did) in Denali. We didn't do the Healy overlook because we were still sore from another hike a few days prior, and the reviews on that showed it was a really tough hike. The Savage river loop is at Mile 15. You can take the park's busses (free) to be dropped off or if you have your own car. We had a car so we drove down. Lots of security down there, as it's the last stop before you go into wilderness so they want eveyone to be safe. The loop is in a valley, no views of Denali, but still a great hike. Don't think it's too strenous, if you don't want it to be. People were walking around and up hills, etc so you can wander around into the wilderness. Beware of wildlife of course. It was a bit windy since we were in the valley so I had my rain jacket (it was also raining while we were there) and some ear muffs. The gloves came in handy too! Really enjoyed the views, and the sound of water See more..
4.5 Mt. Healy Overlook Trail (194 reviews)
- A Great Hike
Hiking Trails

This 2.5-mile hiking trail up Mt. Healy ascends 1,700 feet offering magnificent views of the Nenana Valley. See more..
4.5 Horseshoe Lake Trail (172 reviews)
- Lovely first hike in Denali
Spent 1-2 hours Hiking Trails

We arrived at Denali late on a beautiful June afternoon and wanted to squeeze in a quick hike. Horseshoe Lake Trail was a lovely introduction to the park. The view from the top of the hill before you descend the steps toward the lake is stunning. We loved seeing the beaver dam and getting to walk along the Nenana river. It wasn't all that crowded when we hiked, and it was a great way to spend an hour or two. See more..
4.5 Denali Visitor Transportation System (75 reviews)
- Beautiful Fall Colors on the Tundra
Taxis & Shuttles

The Transit is a shuttle bus system, NOT an interpretive tour. Visitors use the Transit to access park facilities and campgrounds, to reach backcountry destinations for hiking, to transport bicycles, and to simply sit back and enjoy Denali’s wildlife and scenery. Having buses transport visitors into Denali National Park & Preserve helps to protect the natural resources and reduce traffic congestion. By using the park's bus system, visitors actively support the National Park Service’s mission of preserving and protecting park resources for future generations. See more..
4.5 Rock Creek Trail (38 reviews)
- rock creek trail challenge
Hiking Trails

My wife and I are in our late 50's and in fairly good shape, but not athletes. We hiked the rock creek trail without any major issues even though we both had colds. See more..
4.5 Triple Lakes Trail (35 reviews)
- Long hike in Denali
Spent More than 3 hours Hiking Trails

Great if your looking for a longer trail in Denali. We started from the trailhead and walked all the way to the Ranger's station and back for a total of about 19 miles. You get to see three lakes and great views once you ascend the mountain. I would rate it as hard just because of the distance required to complete the trail there and back plus some steep climbs up the mountain. The views are well worth it. We didn't see much wildlife along the trail. The weather was great to do it in August. See more..
4.5 Denali View South (23 reviews)
- Great Views if Clear
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts

Stop here for some great views and photos of Denali if the weather is clear. I got lucky and had a cloudless day with unobstructed views. See more..
4.5 Holy Mary of Guadalupe Catholic Church (11 reviews)
- A Blessed Place and Blessed Congregation
Thursday: Churches & Cathedrals

Holy Mary of Guadalupe is the Catholic Church located in Healy, Alaska, providing religious services to the local communities of Denali and Tri-Valley. See more..
4.0 Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre (248 reviews)
- So much fun! Very talented performers!
Spent 2-3 hours Dinner Theaters

Set the Stage for an Unforgettable Meal You'll enjoy a night of fun, festivity and food! Get a taste of old-time Alaska at Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre- the popular dinner theater performed in an authentic, log cabin. Join our heroine Fannie Quigley and an unforgettable cast of characters in this true-to-life Gold Rush tale of adventure in early 1900s Alaska. It's a great mix of colorful storytelling, spirited music and humor, brought to life by talented performers. Everyone in your group will love the lighthearted entertainment and hearty cuisine of Alaska's most unique Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre. Our All-You-Can-Eat Meal is served family-style and includes Alaskan Salmon Barbecue Ribs Potatoes Corn Drop Biscuits Berry Cobbler See more..
4.0 Unit 11: Stony Dome (2 reviews)
- Test yourself for a few days (3-4 day u-loop)
Hiking Trails

Getting dropped off by the bus beside Stony Creek (unit 10) was a pretty neat way to start this journey. Stony Creek valley is shorted than some other of the stoney washes in Denali, The real feature is mounting the ridge that divides it from the Toklat River valley (unit 11) on day 2. There are a number of ways to do this, all of which involved about a 1800' vertical ascent. Amazing views backward, and -- if played right -- forward of the Toklat glaciers that feed the eponymous river. The valley is the home to at least two families of bears. Stream crossings can be avoided if your keep to the west side of the valley, but then whose afraid of getting a little wet? In August rain was common, but there were very few bugs and we caught 3 rainbows. See more..
3.5 Music of Denali Dinner Theater (290 reviews)
- Drink a little hootch; eat a little moose!
Dinner Theaters • Theatre & Performances

Another reviewer used the word "campy" which is perfect. At the time we thought the dinner was pretty decent and the performances were enthusiastic. But what I really want to add to the reviews was how much entertainment we got reflecting on the show later during our trip. I can't tell you how many times we giggled reenacting the words and body movement parts of the audience participation. So this show continued to entertain us for an entire week! Thank you. See more..
Igloo City (0 review)
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Mysterious Sites
See more..