Alaska’s Denali National Park

One of the largest state of United States with extremely lowest population density. The city is located in the extreme Northern American continent with the magnificent Canada,Arctic Ocean and Pacific Ocean as its surroundings. The name Alaska has a wonderful meaning, it means "the mainland" or t"he object towards the action of the sea is directed".The state is the only state with longer coastline, and the only exclave territory – its geographical  boundaries lie entirely within the boundaries of another territory.[Read More]

The state has abundant natural beauty and well preserved with many national parks and wildlife refugees. So saying about the beautiful Alaska, i must say about the Denali National Park, which is Alaska's one of the biggest National Parks.

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About Denali

With six-million acres of awe-inspiring beauty crowned by magnificent Mt. McKinley, Denali National Park & Preserve is one of Alaska’s most popular destinations. Come and experience the exciting variety of tours, activities, lodging and dining in the area—and let Denali Park Resorts help you get the most out of your trip to Denali.Denali, the "High One," is the name Athabascan native people gave the massive peak that crowns the 600-mile-long Alaska Range. Denali is also the name of an immense national park and preserve created from the former Mount McKinley National Park. In 1917 Mount McKinley National Park was established as a game refuge. The park and the massif including North America’s highest peak were named for former senator – later President – William McKinley. In 1980, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) enlarged the boundary by 4 million acres and redesignated it as Denali National Park and Preserve. It exemplifies interior Alaska’s character as one of the world’s last great frontiers, its wilderness is largely unspoiled.

Formation

• The park was originally established to protect its large mammals, not because of majestic Mount McKinley.
• Charles Sheldon conceived the plan to conserve the region as a national park. Naturalist, hunter, and conservationist, Sheldon first traveled here in 1906 and again in 1907 with a packer and guide named Harry Karstens.
• Sheldon devoted much of his 1907 travels to studying boundaries for the proposed national park that would include territories suitable for a game refuge. When Sheldon returned to the East in 1908, the Game Committee of the Boone and Crockett Club, of which he was chairman, launched the campaign to establish a national park.
• Largely due to these efforts, Mount McKinley National Park was established in 1917. Its population of Dall sheep and other wildlife were now legislatively protected. However, Mount McKinley itself was not wholly included within the boundaries.

Size & Features

• Denali National Park and Preserve is 6 million acres large.
• Larger than the State of Massachusetts. It exemplifies interior Alaska's character as one of the world's last great frontiers for wilderness adventure.
• Denali National Park and Preserve is managed as three distinct units, Denali Wilderness, Denali National Park additions, and Denali National Preserve.
• Denali, the "High One," is the name Athabascan native people gave the massive peak (Mount McKinley) that crowns the 600 mile long Alaska range.
• Many generations of native Athabascans wandered over this region before Caucasians began to discover and explore it.
• Nomadic bands hunted lowland hills of Denali's northern reaches spring through fall for caribou, sheep and moose.
• They preserved berries for winter, netted fish, and gathered edible plants. As snow began to fall, they migrated to lower elevations, closer to the river valleys' better protection from winter's severe weather. Much of the Alaska Range formed a mighty barrier between interior Athabascans and Cook Inlet Athabascans to the south.
• Denali Wilderness is closed to sport and subsistence hunting and trapping activities.
• Denali National Park additions, established by the ANILCA in 1980 (excluding Denali Wilderness), allow customary and traditional subsistence uses by local rural residents. This recognizes the longstanding dependence on wildlife, fish, and plant materials for subsistence in rural Alaska.
• Denali National Preserve allows subsistence uses and also allows sport hunting, trapping, and fishing under Alaska Fish and Game regulations.There are 2 such preserve areas.
• Habitats - Caribou, moose, and grizzly bears, lies adorned with miniaturized plants.
• Across the park's largely treeless expanse, the views are of a scale unknown in the Lower 48.
• Rivers rush wide and milky white with rock pulverized by glaciers.

Their diminutive size contrasts with their large importance as food to the animals that live or migrate through here. These plants have long been adapted to survive northern life, but there is newness in the landscape too. The rivers are so young and so laden with pulverized rock, called rock flour, that they can wander across their broad, flat valleys to set new channels in a matter of days. The delicate beauty of the tundra points to the lofty, isolated, and often cloud-covered grandeur of the Mount McKinley massif.At 20,320 feet, Mt. McKinley is North America's highest mountain and the crown of the 600-mile-long Alaska Range. The indigenous Athabascan people dubbed the massif "Denali", or the "Great One," and it more than lives up to the name. From base to summit, the mountain's vertical relief is greater than that of Mount Everest. On those rare occasions when its shroud of clouds rolls back, Mount McKinley's grandeur will steal your breath away.

To preserve the fragile ecosystem of Denali National Park, the National Park Service has limited access on the park road for private vehicles. To really experience Denali National Park we suggest taking one of the interpretive tours offered. This not only gives you the opportunity for full-time wildlife spotting, it also allows you the chance to sit back and relax and listen to your Interpretive Guide as he or she recounts the history and culture that surrounds you.[Read More]

Species & Wildlife

More than 650 species of flowering plants as well as many species of mosses, lichens, fungi, algae, and others grace the slopes and valleys of Denali. Only plants adapted to long, cold winters and short growing seasons can survive in this subarctic wilderness. Permafrost ground underlies many areas of the park, where only a thin layer of topsoil is available to support life. After the continental glaciers retreated from most of the park 10,000 to 14,000 years ago, hundreds of years were required to begin building new soils and revegetation. The dynamic glaciated landscape provides large rivers, countless lakes and ponds, and unique landforms which form the foundation of the ecosystems that thrive in Denali.Denali is well-known for its diversity of wildlife. There are 39 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 10 species of fish, and one species of amphibian known in Denali. There are no reptiles recorded in Denali. Animal life and activity in Denali is dictated by the seasons. Winter is the longest season and the animals that are year-round residents are well-adapted to life in the subarctic. The brief spring season brings the return of 80% of Denali’s bird life, the waking of hibernating bears, and an increase in activity levels of wildlife. Summer is a time for raising young and preparing for migration, hibernation, or survival during the winter. Summer also brings hordes of insects, including mosquitoes. In late summer king and chum salmon run in the multitude of streams and rivers. In autumn, migrating birds fill the skies and bull moose gather their harems of cows for the mating season.

Climate

Weather in Denali is extremely variable. Often changes in weather occur without warning. Many of our rangers tell visitors to expect sun, wind, rain, and clouds, and expect them all on the same day.

Average summer temperatures range from 33 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. While we hope it doesn't, it has been known to snow in July, so be prepared. Wearing layers of clothing makes it easy to regulate your body temperature. Also, you'll find that a good waterproof raincoat is invaluable. Winters can be extremely cold with temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Fahrenheit and below to high 20s on warm days. Specialized cold weather gear is necessary for mountaineering and winter visits.

The park is open year-round to visitors. It is famous for spectacular landscapes, rugged peaks, and abundant wildlife. The Alaska Range, where Mount McKinley is located, effectively splits the park into north and south sides.

Activities

Surrounded by Alaska’s magnificent scenery, there is so much to see around the park entrance, and can  participate in as many activities as you can! Denali Park Resorts can help you plan your itinerary to maximize your time while at Denali.

Activities like

• Hikes or excursions,
• Rafting down the Nenana River,
• Exploring on your own with a rental bike,
• Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater,
• Visit the home of Iditarod champion Jeff King,
• Flightseeing adventures, the list goes on and on!

The park is a nearly trailless wilderness; head in any direction (with a backcountry permit in hand) and you'll be off the beaten path and traipsing on tundra. If trails are more your thing, then clamber up the Mount Healy Overlook Trail near the park's entrance. At 2.5 miles, the route to Mount Healy is practically the only marked hiking path of substantial length in the park. Plan on devoting four hours for the round-trip, and count on sweating a bit along the way—the trail gains 1,700 feet in elevation. You're rewarded with photo-worthy views of the Nenana River coursing below and the Alaska Range towering above.

Alaska Cabin Night Dinner Theater

Enjoy a night of fun, frivolity and food! Get a taste of old-time Alaska at Alaska Cabin Nite, the popular dinner theater performed in an authentic, log-paneled roadhouse.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 dinner theater.
Denali park offers lots more to do and enjoy. You can plan to spend your day in Denali based on the time you have!!

Explore Denali

These 3- to 4-hour guided excursions provide an in-depth view of the environmental, historical and scientific significance of Alaska’s awe-inspiring wilderness. They also place you amid some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, so be sure to bring your camera.

Hiking

Looking for a way to enhance your Denali experience? Consider a guided hike inside the National Park on the Rock Creek Trail. This “front country” experience offers guests an opportunity to blend a pleasant hike on an improved trail inside the Park boundary, with a meaningful and educational visit to the unique Denali Visitor Center.

Experience the concept of wilderness by stepping away from the developed areas and immersing yourself in the tranquility of a hike through the mixed spruce, birch and alder forest that encompass the Denali area and Interior Alaska. This guided hike will set you on the trail of discovery and adventure as your certified guide interprets many of the unique natural attributes of the area. Follow the trail of frontier hunters on the way to an old hunting cabin and take in some of the spectacular scenery on this invigorating hike.

Adventure

A few miles down the road from the entrance area to Denali National Park, and you'll come to one of the most beautiful highways in North America. The Denali Highway, still mostly unpaved, offers you an opportunity to view the Denali summit on a clear day and to experience the open tundra and taiga that are the essence of Alaska’s wilderness. This excursion is led by certified guides who will guide you on a journey to the town of Cantwell located at the base of the Alaska Range.

Biking

Rent a comfortable sports bike and enjoy Denali’s improved trail system. These bikes are great for on or off-road use! Mountain bikes are available for those seeking a more challenging journey into Denali along the Park Road. Rentals include helmets and cable locks.

Rafting

Raft the Nenana River for the ultimate Alaska adventure. Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience—river rafting on the glacier-fed Nenana River with Alaska Raft Adventures. Enjoy stunningly beautiful scenery and your choice of exciting whitewater rafting or a tranquil mild whitewater trip. Whichever you choose, you'll get to see a part of Alaska you can't explore any other way.

Canyon or Paddle Run

The Canyon Run and Paddle Run raft excursions are Denali’s most exciting whitewater experience. This challenging watercourse navigates through 11 miles of spectacular scenery and geology of the Nenana River Canyon. Over the descent, the guests encounter 10 named rapids ranging from Class III to Class IV ratings. Everyone wears a specially designed drysuit to enjoy the splashes without the mess. These suits keep you dry so that you can wear whatever you like underneath. We can fit most any body type and our Paddle guests might get an opportunity to see just how waterproof the suits really are. Starting with the big waves of Razorback Rapid and the invigorating splashes of other rapids like Two Rocks, Cable Car, The Knife and The Narrows, these rapids provide exciting whitewater thrills spectacular scenery and geological highlights. There is always some potential for wildlife sightings as moose frequent much of the river corridor. The Canyon Run is an oar-guided trip with the guide doing all the navigation and interpretation.

Experience class III & IV rapids on this exciting trip. Minimum age 11.

• 11 miles through steep walled canyons
• 10 exhilarating rapids

Paddle the same route and 10 rapids as the Canyon Run trip with our experienced guides to coach you. Minimum age 16. Exciting whitewater action using paddles to navigate same class III & IV rapids as in the Canyon Run. A fun challenge!

Denali Wilderness

The Wilderness Run rafting excursion on the Nenana River meanders 13 miles through an expansive glacial valley. The experience on this gently flowing section of the Nenana River is one to savor for its spectacular scenery and tranquility. Whitewater characteristics are categorized as Class I & II mild whitewater with one Class III rapid, so most of the trip is quiet enough to engage in conversation with your raft mates and the guide. The excursion is an oar-guided trip on one of our 18 foot, self-bailing inflatable rafts, with the guide doing all the navigation and interpretation, so the guest simply holds on to one of our comfortable safety ropes. The excursion offers more open landscape than the Canyon or Paddle Runs and views of some significant geological features as well.

Old Sourdough Studio

At Old Sourdough Studio you can dress in authentic Alaskan clothing and step on the runners of a working dog sled or be the passenger in the sled with a real scribe-fit log cabin backdrop. Saddle up and ride a moose, grizzly, salmon or caribou. Stand on the summit of Denali or in front of an igloo with the Northern Lights and the Big Dipper in the background.Old Sourdough Studio is a very unique photography studio with a state of the art digital lab. We specialize in Christmas/Holiday cards and have a nice selection of Alaska style frames.

Along with the not-to-be-missed guided tours, river rafting, hiking, biking and laughing till it hurts at Cabin Nite, you’ll find lots of other activities in and around Denali National Park. Denali Park Resorts can help you arrange any of these optional activities to complete your Alaskan Adventure.

• Husky Homestead Tour: Visit the kennel of five-time Iditarod Champion, Jeff King.
• Jeep Safari Tours: Explore the Denali Highway on a guided Jeep tour.
• Jet Boat Adventure: Experience the Nenana River on a motorized jet boat safari.
• Helicopter Flightseeing: Land on a glacier, experience a Heli-hiking Adventure or get a bird’s eye view of the park.
• Horseback Riding: Explore rugged terrain, just outside the park.
• Fixed-wing Flightseeing: Explore Denali National Park in an airplane.

The possibilities for fun and adventure here are almost as vast as Alaska itself. Try to take advantage of as many of these activities as you can.
Even for a half day excursion you can attend sled dog demonstration, can hike at the entrance ares trails near Denali Visitor Center, can watch film at the Denali Visitor Center or Wilderness Access Center.Ride  the free Savage River shuttle bus to Mile 15. Keep a lookout for moose, caribou, and wolves. On a clear day, Mount McKinley may be seen in the distance near Mile 9.Take a guided Natural History Tour of the park to Primrose Ridge.

So for half day you can do so much then just imagine what else you can do if you are offered with more  number of days as the park has several online resources for kids and teachers, it has Murie Science and Learning Center which allows you to discover education and research,it also has Nature and Science Study Park.

The park offers wide range of programs that will teach the kids about the wildlife and wilderness and people of Denali.Kids will really love participating the program.Discover amazing animals and their adaptations to the subarctic environment, or join a virtual climb of North America's highest peak through an electronic field trip.

Located at the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, the Murie Science and Learning Center combines science, education, and partnerships to protect areas of national significance. Though located in Denali, the Murie Science and Learning Center works with many other national parks and partners to reach the ultimate goal of increasing research, science-based education, and science-informed management decisions for these special places.
Murie Science and Learning Center Field Seminars and Teacher Training explore the vast ecosystems and vibrant cultures of the Far North. Classes are small, but the classrooms are grand – set in Denali National Park and Preserve's landscape of taiga forest, glacier-clad mountains, and wide-open tundra. Most courses are based out of the Murie Science and Learning Center Field Camp, located 29 miles inside the Park. University of Alaska Anchorage offers one professional development credit for each course. All Murie Science and Learning Center programs are in partnership with the National Park Service.

Accommodation & Dining

Make the most of your visit to Denali National Park & Preserve by staying on one of Denali Park Resorts premier resorts or lodges. Choose from upscale to moderate accommodations, they have something for everyone. Denali Park Resorts offers four different overnight options, each offering something different.

At the McKinley Chalet Resort’s Nenana View Grille, you’ll enjoy fine dining with a true Alaskan flair. Its sumptuous fireside dining offers magnificent river views. The chef’s inventive menu includes local specialties, a host of delectable desserts, and a large selection of fine wines to add to your dining experience. Serving lunch and dinner; reservations are highly recommended.

Its more than a mountain.Denali National Park & Preserve features North America's highest mountain, 20,320-foot tall Mount McKinley. The Alaska Range also includes countless other spectacular mountains and many large glaciers. Denali's more than 6 million acres also encompass a complete sub-arctic eco-system with large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and moose.The park was established as Mt. McKinley National Park on Feb. 26, 1917. The original park was designated a wilderness area and incorporated into Denali National Park and Preserve in 1980. The Park was designated an international biosphere reserve in 1976.

Today the park accommodates a wide variety of visitor use including wildlife viewing, mountaineering, and backpacking. It continues to provide a laboratory for research in the natural sciences.