basic planning information
arrival • buses • reservations • camping • FAQ
information centers • what to bring • maps • where to see the mountain
visiting denali national park
arrival • buses • reservations • camping • FAQ
information centers • what to bring • maps • where to see the mountain
visiting denali national park
Mount McKinley
...Or is it "Denali?"
Mt. McKinley, as it is called on most maps, is the highest mountain in North America. It is 20,320 feet tall. When you're at the Denali Visitor Center, you're at 1,585 feet above sea level. So, Mt. McKinley rises 18,735 feet from here to its summit (20,320 feet.)
"Denali" is the name that Athabascan Indian people gave to the mountain. It means "The High One." Denali is the highest peak in the 700-mile long Alaska Range, which crosses Alaska, from west to east.
Why is Denali so much taller than the other mountains in the Alaska Range?There are three reasons. The first is, it is still growing. Not a lot – but, it is getting taller at the rate of a millimeter every year. The second is that it is younger than the surrounding mountains. Denali is thought to be 56 million years old, and its neighbors are 100 to 400 million years old – so they have been worn down by the elements, including snow and glaciers. The third reason Denali is so tall is that it's made of harder rock. So is Foraker, the next tallest mountain, which is close by.
Will I See Denali?
Believe it or not, your chances of seeing a grizzly bear in Denali National Park are higher than your chance of seeing the entire mountain. This is because Denali is so tall that passing clouds pile up on its flanks, obscuring it. So, if someone tells you, "Denali's out today," you'd better grab your camera.
How Big Is The Park?
Denali National Park is comprised of the "Park" and the "Preserve." Together, they contain over 6 million (6,075,029) acres – or 9,492 square miles. Most of the original park (which was originally called Mount McKinley National Park) is now designated as "Wilderness."
How Do You Get Into The Park?
Denali National Park has one road that is 92 miles long. Only 15 miles of the road is paved. You can only drive the first 15 (paved) miles to Savage River in your personal vehicle.
Here Are Some Practical Things You Need To Know To Help You Plan Your Visit.
• arrival Orient yourself. A list of things you can do when you arrive, and a map of the entrance area.
• buses A general description of the park's buses. What to take, where they're going and how much they cost.
• reservations How to make them.
• camping The park has six campgrounds. There are also several campgrounds outside of the park.
• FAQ's A list of common questions about Denali National Park.
• information centers Different places you can go to get information.
• what to bring Things you should bring with you to make your trip more successful.
• maps General maps to help you get the lay of the land.
...Or is it "Denali?"
Mt. McKinley, as it is called on most maps, is the highest mountain in North America. It is 20,320 feet tall. When you're at the Denali Visitor Center, you're at 1,585 feet above sea level. So, Mt. McKinley rises 18,735 feet from here to its summit (20,320 feet.)
"Denali" is the name that Athabascan Indian people gave to the mountain. It means "The High One." Denali is the highest peak in the 700-mile long Alaska Range, which crosses Alaska, from west to east.
Why is Denali so much taller than the other mountains in the Alaska Range?There are three reasons. The first is, it is still growing. Not a lot – but, it is getting taller at the rate of a millimeter every year. The second is that it is younger than the surrounding mountains. Denali is thought to be 56 million years old, and its neighbors are 100 to 400 million years old – so they have been worn down by the elements, including snow and glaciers. The third reason Denali is so tall is that it's made of harder rock. So is Foraker, the next tallest mountain, which is close by.
Will I See Denali?
Believe it or not, your chances of seeing a grizzly bear in Denali National Park are higher than your chance of seeing the entire mountain. This is because Denali is so tall that passing clouds pile up on its flanks, obscuring it. So, if someone tells you, "Denali's out today," you'd better grab your camera.
How Big Is The Park?
Denali National Park is comprised of the "Park" and the "Preserve." Together, they contain over 6 million (6,075,029) acres – or 9,492 square miles. Most of the original park (which was originally called Mount McKinley National Park) is now designated as "Wilderness."
How Do You Get Into The Park?
Denali National Park has one road that is 92 miles long. Only 15 miles of the road is paved. You can only drive the first 15 (paved) miles to Savage River in your personal vehicle.
Here Are Some Practical Things You Need To Know To Help You Plan Your Visit.
• arrival Orient yourself. A list of things you can do when you arrive, and a map of the entrance area.
• buses A general description of the park's buses. What to take, where they're going and how much they cost.
• reservations How to make them.
• camping The park has six campgrounds. There are also several campgrounds outside of the park.
• FAQ's A list of common questions about Denali National Park.
• information centers Different places you can go to get information.
• what to bring Things you should bring with you to make your trip more successful.
• maps General maps to help you get the lay of the land.
