If you're heading to Alaska, no doubt you're not going to want to miss Denali! There are a number of amazing things to do in Denali National Park, and it's the perfect spot for outdoor lovers. Daniel and I couldn't get over how beautiful the park was--though you might not get a chance to see the famous mountain itself since it likes to hide. Regardless, there's plenty see and some pretty unique animals to spot.
Fantastic things to do in Denali National Park
Here are some of the things to do in Denali National Park that you are going to want to make sure to add to your Alaska road trip itinerary!
View Denali
With its iconic snow-covered peaks towering above the park, Denali Mountain is undoubtedly one of the largest and most important Denali attractions. Serving as a symbol for the National Park, this majestic mountain is a sight that is not to be missed!
The mountain can be viewed from several points throughout the park, but one of the best and most popular places to view it is from the Reflection Pond. Located on the west end of Park Road, this pond is known for offering incredible reflections of Denali Mountain on clear, calm days.
Take a bus tour
Offering incredible sights and a wealth of knowledge, bus tours are certainly one of the best things to do in Denali National Park. Led by trained guides who provide an array of information on the park's history, these bus tours are a great way to learn about Denali and the creatures that call it home.
Tours will take you to some of the most sought-after destinations in the park, allowing you to see vast areas of Denali in a short amount of time. With several tour options available, including natural history tours, tundra wilderness tours, and tours to the old gold town of Kantishna, there's something for everyone to enjoy!
If you're an adventure traveler wondering what to do in Denali National Park, consider joining a whitewater rafting tour. These excursions into the Alaskan wilderness usually take place along the Nenana River, where you'll have the opportunity to encounter action-packed rapids with names such as Ice Worm and Coffee Grinder.
You'll have the choice to either sit back and enjoy the ride or grab a paddle and assist your guide in navigating down the river. For those, who'd prefer a more relaxing experience, there are also Wilderness Float Tours that take you to calmer sections of the river.
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Wildlife spotting
Denali is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including 39 different mammals, 169 species of birds, 14 different species of fish, and one amphibian - the wood frog. Of course, what most people come to see are the Big 5: grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and dall sheep.
While it's possible to spot these animals anywhere throughout the park, one of the best and easiest ways to encounter them is on a bus tour. Simply put, your guide knows where the animals like to hang out and will be able to take you there. With so many animals to see, wildlife spotting is undoubtedly one of the most exciting things to do in Denali National Park.
Go hiking
Most people go to Denali to hike, so it should come as no surprise to hear that hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Denali National Park. With so many different areas to explore, the opportunities for hiking here are endless. There are some pretty incredible trails, and it can be hard to narrow down the best hikes in Denali National Park when you're only there for a few days.
There are a variety of marked trails that you can follow, or if you prefer to venture out on your own, off-trail hiking is allowed. You can also opt to join a ranger-led hike if you are uncertain or nervous about hiking alone. You can expect shorter hiking times and lots of information sharing on these ranger-led hikes.
There are several activities in Denali National Park, but few of them offer the opportunity to view the park from above. With a flightseeing tour, you'll have the chance to see it all from the air. Hop in a small aircraft and soar above the park, passing over mountains, glaciers, foothills, and more. If you're lucky, you may even spot a few animals from the sky!
Most flightseeing tour companies are located in the towns immediately surrounding the park and offer a variety of itineraries, so you can prioritize the views you'd like to see the most.
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Take a helicopter tour
If you're looking for Denali activities that will bring you up close and personal with the park's glaciers, then be sure to sign up for a helicopter tour. On these excursions, you'll have the opportunity to land right on top of a glacier and spend time exploring its icy terrain. You can take in the landscape, snap a few photos, and savor this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
In addition to your glacial explorations, you can also expect to encounter incredible views of the Alaskan landscape as you fly over snow-covered mountains, stark blue lakes, and windy rivers. Needless to say, helicopter tours are one of the most exciting things to do in Denali National Park.
For those who love the thrill of heights, ziplining is one of the most exciting things to do near Denali National Park. Located in close proximity to the park, you'll find several companies that offer thrilling zipline and high ropes courses.
Providing you with the opportunity to soar above the tundra, these sky-high courses offer unobstructed views of the Alaskan Range. If you're lucky, you may even spot a few of Denali's local residents in the treetops and on the ground down below.
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Did you know that Denali National Park is home to sled dogs? In fact, the park rangers utilize teams of Alaskan huskies to help them get around during the winter. These canine rangers have become a vital part of the National Park, and visiting them is one of the most popular activities in Denali.
While the park doesn't offer dog sled rides to visitors, you can still go up to the kennels and meet the dogs. Depending upon when you visit, you may even be treated to a dog sledding demonstration. The huskies are so popular among visitors that many would say seeing them is one of the best things to do in Denali National Park.
If you're looking to explore the backcountry of Denali, consider joining an ATV tour. These tours take you way off the beaten path and are definitely one of the most exciting things to do around Denali National Park. As you follow your guide, speeding across the Alaskan tundra, driving through rivers and streams, and cutting through forests, you'll gain access to areas that most visitors never see.
Not to mention you'll be privy to some pretty incredible views, views that are sure to take your breath away no matter which tour or itinerary you opt to join. For those who don't feel comfortable driving themselves, there are also Jeep tours available - you can simply sit back and watch the scenery roll by as your guide takes control of the wheel.
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Go horseback riding
For all of the animal lovers out there, horseback riding is one of the most amazing things to do in Denali, Alaska. There's a horseback tour operator located just past the park's entrance that offers a variety of guided horseback rides during the summer and sleigh rides in the winter.
As you travel across the Alaskan backcountry, you'll learn about the flora and fauna you encounter and will hear stories about the land and its history. For those who may be new to riding, they even offer horseback riding lessons that you can take before hitting the trails.
If you have no idea what to do in Denali, a visit to the Eielson Visitor Center is a must! Open only during the summer, the Visitor Center offers a little bit of everything - incredible views of Denali mountain, several short hiking trails, a variety of ranger-led programs, an art gallery, as well as a wealth of information on the park and its activities.
Many say if you only have one day to visit the park, you should spend it here because it's the one place where you can fully sample all that Denali has to offer. For these reasons and more, many people consider the Eielson Visitor Center to be one of the best things to do in Denali National Park.
The Murie Science and Learning Center is the park's winter visitor center. Open from September to May, the Learning Center is one of the best things to do in Denali National Park if you're interested in learning more about the park's ongoing natural research.
Built with the aim to promote science and stewardship at Denali, the Learning Center is home to a variety of exhibits and documentaries that highlight the park's inner scientific workings. The Learning Center is also a great place to go to learn about trail conditions, rent snowshoes, and obtain permits for overnight trips.
Go golfing
Golfing may not immediately come to mind when you're brainstorming things to do at Denali National Park, but it is an option! Located just past the entrance to the park is a 9-hole tundra golf course that offers stunning views of the mountains and close encounters with wildlife. It's also near a number of Denali National Park hotels, which makes it a convenient activity for many visitors.
As you putt around from hole to hole, you're likely to spot a variety of animals, including a fox that is known for stealing golf balls! Between the scenery, the wildlife, and the course's unique layout, it's safe to say there's no other golf course like this one in the world! After you're done, make sure to hit up one of the local Denali restaurants in the area.
Take a horse-drawn wagon
Looking to take a step back in time? There's no better way to do it than by hopping aboard a horse-drawn wagon. Complete with old-style wagons, draft horses, and incredible Alaskan scenery, this is without a doubt one of the most unique things to do in Denali.
As you travel through the tundra, you'll be treated to a variety of stories and folklore about the land and will learn about the history of the area's coal mining. You'll even have the opportunity to stop by a rustic cabin to see how every day Alaskans once lived.
Take a photo tour
Everyone loves to take photos of Denali National Park, but only a select few people know where to go to capture truly stunning pictures. Thankfully, you can gain access to this insider's information when you join a photo tour. Led by top-rated local photography guides, these tours will take you to some of the most scenic locations, offering you the chance to capture Denali as you never thought possible.
As you snap away on your camera, you will even be treated to tips from your guides, as they show how to shoot more professional photos. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, these tours are without a doubt one of the best Denali things to do.
The Denali Visitor Center is more than just a building-- it's a full on-campus complete with a welcome and information center, restaurant, gift shop, train station, and bus stop. It also happens to be one of the best Denali National Park things to do, especially if you're in need of guidance or support during your visit.
On any given day, you can find park rangers here ready to answer your every question and relay their recommendations and advice. It's also a great place to stop if you need to rest and regroup or grab a bite to eat.
Wonder Lake
Offering camping, hiking, and scenic views, a visit to Wonder Lake is certainly one of the best things to do in Denali National Park. For camping enthusiasts, there are 28 sites set up in the campground, each offering stunning views of the lake and Alaskan Range.
There are also several ranger-led activities that take place at the campground, including naturalist programs and ranger-led hikes. A variety of hiking trails can be found in the vicinity around the campground, and, of course, off-trail hiking is also permitted.
If you'd like the opportunity to view vast areas of Alaska's interior, consider hopping aboard the Denali Star Train. Covering a total of 365-miles, this 12-hour train ride travels between Anchorage and Fairbanks, with stops in Talkeetna, Wasilla, and Denali National Park.
For a good portion of this ride, at least on a clear day, you'll be treated to stunning views of Denali Mountain and the Alaskan Range. Other sights that you can expect to see include the Chugach Mountains, Indian River, Hurricane Gulch, Nenana River, and the Healy Canyon.
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See the Northern Lights
Watching the Northern Lights dance above the Alaskan Range is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Denali National Park. While August to April is generally considered to be prime viewing time, it is possible to see the Northern Lights here year-round.
As it gets closer to your trip, you can check the aurora forecast for Alaska to find out when you might be able to spot them. If the timing lines up, you'll be treated to incredible shades of green, blue, purple, and red - a sight that is truly unforgettable.
What were your favorite things to do in Denali National Park? Let me know in the comments!
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