Denali, Alaska's Must-See

Denali National Park & Preserve

There are numerous ways to see Alaska, but by far the most common is a cruise. While cruises are amazing, and a great way to experience the natural wonders of the state, they tend to focus on exploring the southeastern ports and bypass the Interior, such as the wildly popular Denali National Park. Even so, there is an easy solution to making the most of your time in Alaska by extending your trip either before or after a cruise. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) about 22 percent of all cross-gulf passengers extend their visits to include excursions into the Interior, home to historical gold mining districts, expansive wilderness, and Mount McKinley—also known locally by its indigenous name, Denali.

Denali National Park and Preserve encompasses six million acres of preserved wilderness that includes massive expanses of forest, glacial lakes, frozen tundra, and towering mountains—including North America’s tallest mountain, Mount McKinley. An alternative to the lodges and tours offered by cruise lines and located only miles from the entrance to Denali National Park, Denali Park Village is set among 20 acres of a spruce forest along the Nenana River. The new lodging destination, which embodies Alaska’s rich mining and natural history, underwent a complete transformation in 2014. It now offers visitors an authentic Alaskan experience including The Lodge at Denali Park Village, The Cabins at Denali Park Village, and Miner’s Plaza designed to resemble a historic mining town. The plaza includes individually themed shops, general store, museum, gift shop, gem mining, games such as horseshoe and bean bags, open fire pits and lounge chairs, and an outdoor stage offering free talks by the Denali Education Center.

The abundant wildlife and tours offer reason enough to make a stop at Denali Park Village in Denali. For example, The Tundra Wilderness Tour travels 53 miles into the park. Visitors enjoy incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park, and some of the best opportunities to view the park’s wildlife such as Dall sheep, moose, caribou, wolves, and grizzly bears. Other not to miss activities include Cabin Nite Dinner Theater, rafting, and interpretive hikes.

Denali National Park is located in the interior of Alaska and is reachable by train or road. Located at approximately Milepost 238 of the George Park Highway (Alaska 3), the Park is roughly 240 miles north of Anchorage and 125 miles south of Fairbanks. Cars and RV's may be rented in Anchorage or Fairbanks and driven to Denali. For additional information. visit DenaliParkVillage.com.

Image Courtesy Denali Park Village