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Denali National Park, Talkeetna & Trapper Creek

Denali National Park

Known worldwide for its amazing scenery and wildlife, Denali National Park, home to North America’s tallest mountain, Mt. McKinley, is a place of excitement, inspiration and exploration for travelers. With 6 million acres of wild lands there are plenty of places to go for adventure, solitude and recreation.

Denali National Park and Preserve has one road, simply called the Denali Park Road, and it is the main avenue for visitors to see and experience Denali. It is 92 miles long and only the first 15 miles of it are paved. This is the private vehicle limitation point known as Savage River. Along its route, beautiful landscapes can be seen at every turn, and there are many opportunities to view Mount McKinley as of Mile 9.

Beyond Mile 15, the road turns to gravel and traffic is primarily restricted to buses. We encourage all visitors to take some kind of bus trip while in Denali, as it is a great way to experience the park and build lasting memories.

The park entrance fee is $10.00 per person and provides a 7 day entrance permit.

Talkeetna

The tiny, funky hamlet of Talkeetna is located 115 miles north of Anchorage in the Mat-Su Valley, and conveniently close to the Denali National Park and Preserve. It is definitely a not-to-be-missed stop in Southcentral Alaska.

Talkeetna has retained much of its early Alaska flavor. Log cabins, a roadhouse, and clapboard storefronts line the dirt streets. Main Street, the only paved road in town, greets visitors with a hand-hewn sign reading “Welcome to Beautiful Downtown Talkeetna.”

Talkeetna abounds with outdoor adventure other than viewing or climbing Mount McKinley. Riverboat and jet boat tours up Talkeetna Canyon, Devils Canyon, Chulitna River, and Tokositna River are popular and the boats are also often used for charter fishing trips. Horseback excursions are also available on trails with majestic views of Mount McKinley. Shopping local galleries and dining at several local eateries, including a brewery, is also an easy way to spend an afternoon.

Trapper Creek

The small town of Trapper Creek is located along the Parks Highway between Wasilla and Denali National Park and Preserve and offers plenty of adventure and fantastic stunning views of Mount McKinley.

Trappers Creek offers excellent, year-round outdoor recreational opportunities. In the summer, the options are endless, from fishing for salmon and trout, hiking the trails, camping, hunting and even panning for gold. The snowfall in the winter season creates a winter wonderland full of activities. Enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and dog mushing.

The area has been a working service station since the 1900s when gold miners flocked to the area. You will find a number of quaint grocery stores and restaurants, ideal for highway travelers headed north or south on the Parks Highway, which runs straight through the centre of town.

Hotels In Denali National Park, Talkeetna & Trapper Creek