Denali National Park & Preserve — Visitor Info

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Denali National Park & Preserve protects six million acres of Alaskan wilderness around North America's tallest peak. The park has a single 92-mile road and, beyond the first 15 miles, private vehicles are not allowed — nearly everyone experiences the park's interior by shuttle or tour bus.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: Wonder Lake Campground (mile 85) is closed through 2026 due to the Pretty Rocks landslide road reconstruction project, which has also affected how far the Park Road is passable in recent years — confirm current road status before planning a trip built around the west end of the park. Always check the official Denali Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Interior Alaska, north of Anchorage
Entrance Fee
$15/person (7 days, 15 and under free)
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No (but shuttle/tour buses and campgrounds need reservations)
Permit Needed For
Backcountry camping (free); mountaineering (paid, advance registration)
Lodging
Six developed campgrounds; lodges near the entrance
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Denali Visitor Center
Near the park entrance — the main visitor center, with exhibits, trip planning, and bus ticket sales.
Murie Science and Learning Center
Near the entrance; serves as the winter visitor center and hosts science/education programs.
Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station
In the town of Talkeetna, well south of the main entrance — the hub for mountaineering registration and climbing rangers.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

The entrance fee is $15 per person (16 and older; 15 and under free), valid 7 days. An Annual Pass is $45. This park does not accept cash — payments are credit/debit only. Note that a narrated tour bus ticket includes the entrance fee, but a non-narrated transit bus ticket does not — you'll need to pay the entrance fee separately, or bring a pass, if riding a transit bus.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov.

The Park Road & Buses

Private vehicles may drive the first 15 miles of the Park Road (to Savage River) without restriction. Beyond that point, the road is accessible only by shuttle bus, narrated tour bus, or authorized permit (such as a campground reservation at Teklanika River). Reserve bus tickets and campground stays starting December 1 the year before your trip at reservedenali.com — popular summer dates can sell out.

Mountaineering

Climbing Denali or Mount Foraker requires advance registration and a pre-paid mountaineering fee, arranged through the Talkeetna Ranger Station well before your expedition.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park or day-hike near the entrance. A free permit is required for backcountry camping:

Backcountry Camping

Denali's backcountry is divided into units with a nightly quota system; permits are free and issued in person, typically no more than a day or two in advance.

Campgrounds & RV Options

No campground in Denali has electric or water hookups, and none can accommodate an RV longer than 40ft. Only Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River allow vehicles/RVs — the rest are tent-only and reached by bus. Reserve at reservedenali.com starting December 1 the prior year; fees run roughly $25–$50/night in summer and camping is free in winter.

Riley Creek Campground
Mile 0.25, near the entrance. Open year-round (fees only in summer); RVs and tents welcome.
Savage River Campground
Mile 14, within the private-vehicle zone. Summer only (mid-May–mid-September); RVs and tents welcome.
Teklanika River Campground
Mile 29, beyond the private-vehicle checkpoint — your reservation here permits driving your own vehicle this far. Summer only, RVs and tents; requires a minimum 3-night stay if you drive in.
Sanctuary River & Igloo Creek Campgrounds
Miles 22 and 35. Tent-only, bus access only, summer season; no potable water on-site (bring a filter) and no campfires allowed.

Wonder Lake Campground (mile 85) is closed through 2026 due to the Pretty Rocks road reconstruction project.

Good to Know

  • Denali (the mountain) is often shrouded in clouds — many visitors never see the full peak; plan for the wilderness experience regardless.
  • Wildlife viewing from the bus (grizzly bears, caribou, Dall sheep, moose, wolves) is a major highlight of the Park Road corridor.
  • Reserve early: bus tickets and campgrounds open for booking December 1 the year before, and popular summer dates fill up.
  • Weather changes fast even in summer — layers and rain gear are essential regardless of the forecast.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees and regulations change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Denali National Park & Preserve site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Campgrounds · NPS – Alerts & Conditions