Talkeetna has a ranger station where they give presentations about monitoring and helping climbers on Mt. McKinley and other mountains in Denali Park.
Photo, Northcountry
Visitor Centers In The Park
1. Denali Park Visitor CenterThe Denali Park Visitor Center offers the following:
Ranger Information Desk
Ranger-Guided Walks
Displays & Exhibits About Denali
Short Feature Film On Denali
Book Store
Junior Ranger Program
Bus Schedules.
It is open from 8 am to 6 pm.
2. Backcountry Information CenterThe Backcountry Center is a special desk at the Denali Visitor Center. It is open from 8-6. You have to go here to get a backcountry hiking permit. Everybody in your group must complete a permitting process, which takes at least an hour. The most common complication hikers face is that they don't leave enough time to go through the registration, get a map, buy a ticket and catch the "camper" bus. So the basic advice is to get here ahead of schedule.
3. Murie Science and Learning Center This building functions as the winter visitor center for Denali Park. It has an exhibit area. The main purpose is to be a hub for scientific research that is going on in Alaska's national parks. In the summer, the center offers courses, teacher training and other activities. For instance, in the summer of 2011 a course about Denali's bears was offered. The Murie Science and Learning Center has a web site.
4. Eielson Visitor Center This new building has a great view of Mt. McKinley. This is a common bus destination at Mile 66 on the Park Road. You can get water here but there isn't any food. It's a good place to go fairly early in the day because you can hike near here and the views are great. It is open from 9 am to 7 pm.
5. The Denali Bus DepotMany people mistake the Denali Bus Depot for a visitor center, and indeed it has a lot of information you will need. Strictly speaking it is more of a reservation and bus center. It has an information desk. It is open from 5 am to 7 pm in the summer.
Visitor Centers Outside The Park
1. Talkeetna Ranger StationTalkeetna is the mountaineering headquarters for the park. It is on B Street in Talkeetna. The Park Service says: "Expeditions to Mt. McKinley and Mt. Foraker must stop here for their permit and mountain orientation. The center also offers general park information, climbing information for the Alaska Range, summer interpretive programs, and a bookstore."
From Mid-April to Labor Day it is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
2. Talkeetna Visitor CentersThere are a couple of visitor and reservation centers in Talkeetna.
3. Healy Visitor CenterTurn down the road by the Totem Inn in Healy and drive down to the log visitor center on the left. It is not always open.
4. Nenana Visitor CenterThis is one of the most personal visitor centers in Alaska. The flower-laden log cabin sits right on the corner as you get to Nenana. They have information for all of Alaska, as well as Nenana. Most travelers find Nenana a very interesting stop.
5. Fairbanks' Morris Thompson Cultural CenterThis is a must-stop for any traveler. This well-staffed facility has a diverse spectrum of information from many agencies as well as an amazing cultural museum display that gives tremendous insight into Interior Alaskan lifestyle and traditions.
Information Centers
Arrival • Buses • Reservations • Camping • FAQ
Information Centers • What to Bring • Maps • Where to See the Mountain
Meet rangers and local Alaskans.
Arrival • Buses • Reservations • Camping • FAQ
Information Centers • What to Bring • Maps • Where to See the Mountain
Meet rangers and local Alaskans.
This is the Morris Thompson Cultural Center in Fairbanks.
