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Denali
Basic Information
by The National Park Service
Denali National Park & Preserve features
North America's highest mountain, 20,320' 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.
VISITATION:
The primary visitation season runs from May 1 to
September 15. Visitation is lowest in winter
months.
LOCATION:
Denali Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough,
south-central Alaska. Located along Alaska Route
3, the George Parks Highway, approximately 240
miles north of Anchorage, AK, 125 miles south of
Fairbanks, AK, and 12 miles south of Healy, AK.
ADDRESS:
Denali National Park & Preserve
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755
TELEPHONE:
1-907-683-2294
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Daily, summer (late May to mid-September):
Visitor Center hours of operation are 7:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.m. Daily, winter (mid-September to
early May): Headquarters Building, 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Summers are generally cool and damp with average
high temperatures in the mid-60s. Winters are
extremely cold with temperatures falling to -40F
and below. Layers of clothing, including good
rain gear and hiking boots are recommended for
summer. Specialized cold-weather gear is
necessary for mountaineering and winter visits.
DIRECTIONS:
Denali Park's headquarters is located along
Alaska Route 3, the George Parks Highway,
approximately 240 miles north of Anchorage, AK,
125 miles south of Fairbanks, AK, and 12 miles
south of Healy, AK.
Denali Park's mountaineering headquarters is
located in Talkeetna, AK, approximately 100
miles north of Anchorage, AK.
TRANSPORTATION:
To Park:
Denali is accessible by car or via the Alaska
Railroad from either Anchorage or Fairbanks. In
summer a variety of private bus and van services
and the railroad operate daily from Anchorage
and Fairbanks.
In Park: The Denali Park Road is accessible by
private vehicle for 14.8 miles to the Savage
River bridge.
To travel to destinations farther into the park,
including Eielson Visitor Center, shuttle and
tour bus services are available. Bicycles are
permitted along the Park Road.
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
Park entrance fees are $10.00 per family and
$5.00 per person good for seven consecutive
days. An annual pass is available for $15.00.
Golden Age ($10.00), Golden Access (no cost),
and Golden Eagle Passes ($50.00) honored.
Fees are charged for shuttle and tour bus
services. These fees vary according to length of
trip.
Advanced reservations are available after
February 24, 1997 by calling 1-800-622-7275
(nationwide) or 907-272-7275 (locally, in
Anchorage, or international) or by FAX
1-907-264-4684.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Centers/Exhibits:
Visitor Center, Eielson Visitor Center,
Talkeetna Ranger Station.
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