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Facts at a Glance
Denali National Park is one of the world's best places to see wildlife in its
natural environment, and nowhere in the world is there more spectacular
background scenery.
For all its six million acres, there are only about 100 miles of road in the
park. Of that, only 15 miles are unrestricted. As a result, wildlife can
commonly be seen from the park road.
The towering centerpiece of the 600 mile long
Alaska Range is 20,320' Mt. McKinley -- otherwise known as Denali, an Athabaskan
Indian name meaning the "The High One."
Denali is not a park that can be covered in one day. You should allow at least
three days to experience and explore the park and have a great adventure.
Different Months offer Different Attractions
The Alaskan wonders unfold throughout the summer -- from June's twenty-four hour
days and wildflowers to September's northern lights, fall colors and absence of
mosquitoes.
Regardless of when you visit, your explorations
of Denali will take place from warm and comfortable surroundings.
Traveling the Park Road
The famous park road offers your best chance for seeing the wildlife that makes
the Denali area so unforgettable. In the comfort of our specially permitted
private vehicles, it is not uncommon to witness astounding natural displays.
During your journey, our experienced bus drivers share their knowledge of the
park and offer wildlife searching tips to help you locate the park's animals and
birds. Whether through binoculars or with the naked eye, you may be fortunate
enough to see a grizzly sow nursing her first-year cubs; a band of bull caribou
with huge racks browsing along the tundra; or Dall sheep on the high mountain
ridges, playing and frolicking as if they knew they were being observed.
Each trip to and from the lodge is a spirited
and suspenseful event, loaded with anticipation. Although Denali National Park
is a wilderness - and wildlife events don't occure on a schedule - the scenery
is always superlative, and it's rare that a trip doesn't produce numerous
wildlife sightings.
The spectacular trip to the lodge takes around
six hours, depending on weather and wildlife sightings. We run a little faster
on the return trip, since many guests must connect with the train.
More than a Beautiful Location
We encourage our guests to explore the natural communities central to Denali --
to understand how this unique and fragile environment flourishes in spite of the
harsh sub-Arctic climate.
During lodge activities our staff will introduce you to the subtly spectacular
natural and cultural histories of the adjacent boreal forest and tundra.
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