Denali National Park: North America's Tallest Peaks and Wilderness
Denali National Park
“Over six million acres of Alaskan wilderness, crowned by Denali—North America’s tallest mountain—and teeming with wildlife and rugged beauty.”
Park Overview
Denali National Park and Preserve spans more than 6 million acres, making it one of North America’s largest protected wilderness areas. Dominated by Denali, the tallest peak in North America at 20,310 ft, the park’s sole road cuts through taiga forests into alpine tundra and glaciated high country. Established in 1917, it offers some of the continent’s most remote and wild landscapes.
Fast Facts
| Location | Interior Alaska, ~240 miles north of Anchorage |
| Established | Feb 26, 1917 |
| Area | ~6,045,153 acres (≈9,446 sq mi) |
| Highest Peak | Denali (20,310 ft) |
| Park Road | 92 mi gravel & dirt corridor into wilderness |
| Annual Visitors (2023) | ~498,700 |
What to See & Do
- Denali Park Road – Scenic 92‑mile one-way route offering wildlife viewing and mountain views.
- Wildlife Viewing – Look for grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep, and migratory birds.
- Mountaineering Denali – A bucket‑list alpine ascent for experienced mountaineers.
- Flightseeing & Rail Tours – Scenic aerial and railway tours provide majestic views for all visitors.
- Murie Science Center – Engage with ecological research and educational exhibits named for the Murie naturalists.
Geology & Landscape
From forested valleys to high tundra and snow-covered peaks, the park’s dramatic vertical relief showcases Earth’s tectonic and glacial history. Denali itself rises nearly 18,000 ft from its base, greater than most mountains globally.
Wildlife & Wilderness
Denali hosts iconic Arctic wildlife in a predominantly undeveloped setting, with ~95% designated wilderness. The region supports caribou, wolves, Dall sheep, grizzlies, and migratory species—all thriving in vast, wild habitats.
Human History & Culture
The Koyukon and other Athabascan peoples have revered this land for millennia. The park’s establishment in 1917 preserved these wild landscapes, with early infrastructure supported by NPS and CCC-era projects like the Headquarters District.
Visit Tips & Climate Impacts
Summer (mid-May to mid-September) is peak season when the park is fully accessible. Recent climate thaw has spurred landslide activity on the Park Road, limiting access past mile 43—impacting remote destinations like Kantishna.