Best trails in Denali National Park
Denali National Park features the highest mountain in North America. Forests, tundra, and glaciers cover the 6 million acres. Visitors can experience dog sledding, cross-country skiing, backpacking, and camping. Denali is open year-round, though facilities and services are more limited in winter than in summer.
Top trails
- (5087)•Moderate•2.1 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrThis is a beautiful and scenic trail that showcases a still and peaceful lake. The trail begins across the train tracks which run perpendicular to Park Rd. There is compact car parking next to the train tracks, or you can walk from the visitors center. The trail is highly trafficked and has great signage. Keep an eye out for birds and wildlife.
- (3758)•Hard•4.9 mi•Est. 3.5–4 hrThis trail is a steep climb, but the payoff is definitely worth it. The trail gets progressively steeper and narrower as you climb to the overlook. You start to get some really beautiful views about 3/4 of the way up and the overlook at the top gives sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and Denali Park Valley. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
- (3245)•Hard•4.2 mi•Est. 3–3.5 hrThe more strenuous Savage Alpine Trail runs more than four miles, and connects the Savage River area with Savage River Campground. Use the Savage River Shuttle to travel back to your starting point if you need to pick up a car, or use it to return to the park entrance if you have no vehicle; or, you can walk about two miles along the park road to make this route a loop.
- (2180)•Easy•2.1 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrThis valley was carved by glaciers over 2 million years ago. You will begin by hiking upstream with the Savage River running through the middle. After crossing the bridge you can walk up to a nice viewpoint before hiking downstream back to the start. You can reach this trail by bus in the summertime, or by private car every time of the year except for winter.
- (1353)•Moderate•3.0 mi•Est. 1.5–2 hrThis beautiful and scenic trail showcases the still and peaceful Horseshoe Lake. The trail begins across the train tracks, which run perpendicular to Park Rd. There is compact car parking next to the train tracks, or you can walk from the visitor center. The trail is highly trafficked, well-maintained, and features great signage, boardwalks, and log steps. Keep an eye out for birds and wildlife.
- (599)•Hard•9.1 mi•Est. 4.5–5 hrThis direction of the Triple Lakes Trail runs from a trailhead near the visitor center south to a point along AK Route 3 along the Nenana River. This is the longest-established trail in Denali National Park. The trail passes a few lakes and has views of the river valley. Since this is point-to-point, you will need to set a shuttle or arrange a ride to get back to the start point. This route can also be done from south to north.
- (620)•Moderate•5.1 mi•Est. 2.5–3 hrThis route wanders through a beautiful forest and leads to the Denali Kennels, which are fun to visit to pet the pups and hear a brief talk about the dogs. Enjoy beautiful mountain vistas along this trail. You can return to the start point either by retracing your steps on this trail, taking the park shuttle, or hiking back on the Roadside Trail.
- (517)•Easy•0.7 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis is a nice walk with historical photos and information. Best of all, Denali is completely visible on clear days. According to wheelchairtraveling.com: The Savage River Area is an hour into the park and has a trail and restrooms that are wheelchair accessible. The gravel pathway is manageable with some assistance. Accessibility: This trail is likely accessible with assistance for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers or visitors may need to avoid the steeper...
Visitor info
Denali charges an entrance fee year-round. Youth age 15 or younger are free. For people age 16 or older, the $15 entrance fee provides a 7-day entrance permit. Be prepared to show your receipt or pass (digital or physical) if requested by park staff.
The Denali Annual Pass covers up to four adults. You may purchase it online or in person at the park.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Denali Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. Orientation films include open captioning.
Loaner wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, tactile exhibits, and Braille materials are available.
Many ranger-led programs are wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices and ASL interpreters are available by reservation. Please call in advance to make a reservation for equipment or interpretation services.
Additional information about accessibility at Denali National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
Many tour and shuttle buses in the park are wheelchair accessible and have a wheelchair lift. Contact the park before your visit to request an accessible bus. ASL interpreters are available by reservation for the bus tours but must be requested at least 2 days in advance.
If the bus system is not accessible for an individual, they can apply for a road travel permit via the park's website at least 3 weeks before visiting the park.
There are accessible restrooms at all rest stops within the park.
The Denali Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. Orientation films include open captioning.
The Sled Dog Kennels is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms.
The Mountain Vista Rest Area has wheelchair accessible picnic tables with packed, level paths and surfaces, as well as accessible restrooms.
Accessible restrooms are available at the following trailheads: Savage River Day Use Area and Toklat River.
Riley Creek Campground has individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and restrooms.
Savage River Campground and Teklanika River Campground have no specific individual wheelchair accessible camping sites, but sites are level and accessible by vehicle, and there are also accessible restrooms.
Sanctuary River Campground, Igloo Creek Campground, and Wonder Lake Campground are only accessible by the camper bus. There are no specific individual wheelchair accessible camping sites, but there are accessible restrooms.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park. If you wish to bring your service animal to the Denali Sled Dogs, please call 907-683-9586 in advance.
