This is our first “national park” visit on this trip and different than previous NP experiences. The park has refurbished and new buildings, well maintained campsites and streamlined inner park transport. The park system is set up to transport people by buses to see the part of the park. It cost $20/vehicle to enter the park, $20/night to camp, then $30-50/pp/per day to get on a bus so they can drive you through scenic areas. You can be dropped off at primitive campgrounds along the way and a bus will pick you up later in the day, otherwise pay another bus fee as passes are only good for one day.
As for day hiking we’re informed this is one park (maybe the only one) that allows “open access hiking”. For day hikers that have been conditioned, especially in national parks, to “do not get off the trail!” it was a different concept (most ppl don’t carry a compass). You are also warned about bears and that Denali is the “wilderness” and they want to keep it that way.
There is one road for shuttle buses going a bit further into the park and they allot 400 cars per day to enter, you have to sign up for a lottery. They have a small store, lodging, a Laundromat and $4 showers.
So, if you are real outdoorsy backpacker and can be gone for days and don’t mind bushwhacking your trail this is the place but wait for drier weather. If you’re someone who likes to be shuttled around with large groups of people this is also the place. For day hikers, they have 6 marked trails near the visitor center, 4 are kiddy trails and 1 moderate near the main road and one strenuous up to a peak. We did the latter and it was a steady incline to 4100 ft starting at 1700 ft. The views were spectacular and we appreciated the exercise. It is at this point we’re wondering where is Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in N. America.
Looking at the park map the main Visitor Center is not even near Mt. McKinley, it’s about 50 miles away. We didn’t realize this until we left and kept searching for it. We did find a pull out view point but the clouds kept McKinley obscured. The foot hills and the surrounding areas are beautiful. We also discovered that there are state parks on the south end closer to McKinley than the NP visitor center. We’re paying for our lack of research, will we ever learn?
Years ago a former visitor to Denali told me you can’t get into the park, you can only drive around it. This is still true with the exception of the prepared backpacker and the passenger on a park bus. I don’t think the park profits from its busing excursions, Laundromat and showers, but this helps to maintain their visitor center and educate the masses about the park.
Behind those foothills lies Mt. McKinley, N. America's tallest mountain at 20320 ft.
As for day hiking we’re informed this is one park (maybe the only one) that allows “open access hiking”. For day hikers that have been conditioned, especially in national parks, to “do not get off the trail!” it was a different concept (most ppl don’t carry a compass). You are also warned about bears and that Denali is the “wilderness” and they want to keep it that way.
There is one road for shuttle buses going a bit further into the park and they allot 400 cars per day to enter, you have to sign up for a lottery. They have a small store, lodging, a Laundromat and $4 showers.
So, if you are real outdoorsy backpacker and can be gone for days and don’t mind bushwhacking your trail this is the place but wait for drier weather. If you’re someone who likes to be shuttled around with large groups of people this is also the place. For day hikers, they have 6 marked trails near the visitor center, 4 are kiddy trails and 1 moderate near the main road and one strenuous up to a peak. We did the latter and it was a steady incline to 4100 ft starting at 1700 ft. The views were spectacular and we appreciated the exercise. It is at this point we’re wondering where is Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in N. America.
Looking at the park map the main Visitor Center is not even near Mt. McKinley, it’s about 50 miles away. We didn’t realize this until we left and kept searching for it. We did find a pull out view point but the clouds kept McKinley obscured. The foot hills and the surrounding areas are beautiful. We also discovered that there are state parks on the south end closer to McKinley than the NP visitor center. We’re paying for our lack of research, will we ever learn?
Years ago a former visitor to Denali told me you can’t get into the park, you can only drive around it. This is still true with the exception of the prepared backpacker and the passenger on a park bus. I don’t think the park profits from its busing excursions, Laundromat and showers, but this helps to maintain their visitor center and educate the masses about the park.
Behind those foothills lies Mt. McKinley, N. America's tallest mountain at 20320 ft.
We drove on to Anchorage arriving around 9 pm. Bruce’s driving stamina amazes me. I was wiped out after the hike and napped as he drove 217miles to Anchorage.
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