Denali National Park and Preserve :: Alaska

At over six million acres, Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska is certainly not a day trip. But with so much to see and do, you’ll never want to leave. Consistently listed as one of America’s top natural wonders, Denali National Park is among the most picturesque, exciting, and awe inspiring places in the world. Home to Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America at 20,320 feet, and an astounding variety of wildlife (the sheer volume of which makes being here like visiting a zoo) Denali National Park was designated as part of the National Park System in 1917. Its original size is dwarfed by the land area now dedicated to protecting and preserving one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet. Here you can go on an adventure like nothing you’ve ever experienced before.

Just a few of the many animals you will see on your visit include moose, grizzlies, black bears, caribou, golden eagles, wolves, Dall sheep, beavers, and tundra swans. The experience of seeing these majestic creatures in the wild is worth the trip in and of itself. The summer months are prime for spotting the many varied bird species that come to feed and raise their chicks in this pristine paradise. Though the lakes and streams here are beautiful, they don’t serve really well as fishing spots; though sizable and tasty trout can occasionally be found. Most who come to Denali National Park are here for the sweeping vistas and the outstanding camping. There are six official campgrounds and even a cluster (highly in demand) of 17 log cabins. Naturalists hired by the park service are available for guided park tours and hikes to allow visitors to experience everything Denali has to offer. One of the most memorable pieces of your trip will be the views of the glaciers and snow capped mountains. Even the height of summer allows tourists to see the glaciers that sit silently within the crevasses of the mountain peaks.

Due to the difficulty of navigating the terrain in winter, the largest variety of services and activities are to be had between June and September when guest assistance is fully available and all of the camping areas are open. These are the best times for bicycling, hiking, wildlife viewing, and hunting. Winter invites an entirely different crowd of adventurers. Snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and dog sledding are popular activities between November and April. Year round Denali National Park finds backpackers and mountain climbers making their ways up, down, and around this massive and glorious park. From the carpets of lush wild flowers to the vast seas of the snow filled valleys, Denali National Park is an escape to a wonderland like no other.

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