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CHECKLIST
When You Arrive: Plan of Attack

1. Get Oriented

The first building you pass on the right as you enter the park is the Wilderness Access Center – the ‘WAC.’ This is where a lot of buses leave, and where you make and confirm your reservations for campgrounds and buses. The Denali Visitor Center is just up the road. There’s a path along the road, so you can walk between the two buildings. The visitor center has information about the park and park activities. Near the visitor center, there is a book store and cafeteria. The visitor center is open in summer from 8 am to 6 pm. The ‘WAC’ is open from 5 am to 8 pm.

2. Watch A Short Film & Learn About The Park

There’s an 18 minute award-winning film at the Park Visitor Center. You’ll also find information about hikes, bears, plants, geology, Native culture, park history, and the animals of Denali National Park.

3. Pick Up An Alpenglow

The Alpenglow is the official park visitor publication, and is available in the various park buildings.

4. Check Your Reservations

If you arrive during the day and haven’t made reservations for camping or a bus, go to the WAC, see what is available, and make your reservations. In peak season, most of the campgrounds will fill up in advance. And early buses generally fill the day before the trip. This waiting period will give you time to go rafting, hiking, or horseback riding, and to explore the park entrance area and the communities outside the park.

5. Take a Walk or Hike

Even if you’re not on a bus or in an official park campground, you can still take a hike (there are suggestions at the visitor center). Depending on when you arrive, you may also want to catch a free ‘courtesy’ shuttle to see the sled dogs at the park kennels.

6. Go to Savage River

Savage River, 15 miles down the Park Road, is a great destination for someone who has just arrived. There are free courtesy shuttles that take two hours round-trip. Or, you can drive there. Stop at Mile 9 to see if you can view the mountain. The road curves down to the Savage River. You can only go as far as the parking lot by the bridge in your own vehicle. There are restrooms here. A short hike takes you up to the rock formation pictured on the right. There are frequently moose and other animals, such as caribou, walking along the river.

+ More ideas in the Alaska 101 Denali National Park Section

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