Visit Alaska’s Denali National Park for an Unforgettable Adventure

Legions of people travel from every corner of the globe to Denali National Park and Preserve, with one thought foremost in their mind: to experience ruggedly beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife sightings and exciting outdoor adventures. The Alaskan wilderness is one of America’s most popular vacation destinations, with good reason. Regardless of what activities you fancy, Denali National Park and Preserve offers enjoyable activities for all. Pull up a chair as I take you on a quick tour through the various activities available for nature lovers, thrill seekers and laidback tourist alike.

Denali Park activities for the adventurous

Ã?· Sour high above it all on a helicopter “”flightseeing” tour, which offers an opportunity to see areas of Denali accessible only by air. Marvel at massive icefields, ice bridges and glacier streams; scout for moose, sheep, caribou and bear below; land on a glacier to see the stunning Cantwell Glacier, a virtual ice waterfall cascading 900 feet to the valley below. Glide along the imposing Alaska Range, or examine the dramatic geological features of the Polychrome Mountains.

�· Rafting excursions include both scenic floats for first-time rafters, with magnificent views and plentiful wildlife sightings, and action-packed adventures for whitewater veterans. The beautiful Canyon Run offers a whitewater adventure through class III and IV rapids along the Nenana with an expert guide. In between catching your breath, you will be in awe of the magnificent scenery.

Ã?· Take a Jet Boat excursion along the Nenana River, down a stretch of thrilling white water rapids that border Denali National Park. The heated, covered jet boats have plenty of observation windows so you can scout for wildlife and shoot lots of pictures. Some jet boat trips stop at a trapper’s work camp, where you can pan for gold.

Ã?· Hop on a horse to for a Tundra Trail horseback ride through the wilderness, or take a tour of Iditarod champion Jeff King’s husky homestead.

�· Take a hike into the backcountry wilderness of Denali. With no trails, uneven terrain, and small stream crossings, these moderately strenuous 3 to 4 hour hikes are not for out of shape weekend warriors. For the truly adventurous, overnight stays in the backcountry are available but require a permit, available from the Visitor Center.

Denali offers plenty of laidback activities, too.

�· Bus tours include the 12-hour Kantishna Wilderness Trails Tour, which encompasses the full 90 miles of the Denali Park road with a stop at the historic mining town of Kantishna. Another popular choice is the eight-hour Tundra Wildlife covering the first 50 miles of the park road.

Ã?· A McKinley Jeep Backcountry Safari is a great way to view the wildlife of Denali. Guides narrate the area’s history along the way, stopping whenever wildlife is spotted. Keep the camera ready, because you’ll use it often!

Ã?· A relaxing covered wagon ride pulled by two beautiful, friendly draft horses is fun for the whole family and offers an opportunity to learn about the area’s history and local folklore, too. This wilderness ride begins with an 11-mile trip by van through the Nenana River canyon to Otto Lake, then a photographic adventure along Denali Park’s north boundary.

�· Avid anglers can enjoy private lake fishing for Arctic Grayling and Rainbow Trout with a catch-and-release excursion at Denali Lake, which includes all fishing gear, license, and instruction. Or take a jetboat fishing safari on the Talkeetna River to fish for all five species of Salmon.

�· Dinner Theater: experience a unique mix of storytelling, music and humor that will have you clapping and singing along. The delicious food is a family-style meal of barbecued ribs, Alaska salmon and all the fixins before the show.

Take a hike through paradise.

Not ready to scale Mt. McKinley? Denali has plenty of opportunities to flex your leg muscles other than climbing North America’s tallest peak (all 20,320 feet!). Short guided hikes depart daily from the back porch of the Denali Park Hotel and from Eilson Visitor Center. These 30 to 90 minute hikes provide an opportunity to explore varied terrain and see plenty of critters.

Denali also has moderate backcountry treks and strenuous adventures for experienced hikers. One popular choice for hiking is the Mt. Healy Overlook Trail, a 2.5-mile hike up Mt. Healy offering magnificent views of the Nenana Valley. If you have children, be sure to see the slide shows and interpretive programs at the visitor center.

Whatever you choose to do during your stay at Denali National Park & Preserve, you will experience stunning views and the unequaled thrill of being in the Alaskan wilderness.