How to Have a Wonderful Family Vacation at Denali National Park

Spanning over six million acres of land, Denali National Park and Preserve is one of the biggest and safest areas allowing families like yours to enjoy the beauty of nature and wildlife. It is also home to the tallest mountain in the United States - Mount McKinley. If you want an unforgettable experience communing with nature for your family, Denali National Park is definitely the place to visit.

The Best Time to Visit Denali National Park

Warmer months between May to the first half of September are the best times to visit Denali National Park because it allows you to view its natural landscape in full bloom while observing its inhabitants at their most active. If you’re after a winter trip to the park, however, then make sure that you go directly to its off-season headquarters at Murie Science and Learning Center. Denali National Park is open from 9:00AM until 4:00PM.

What You Should Know before Heading to Denali National Park

Helpful traveling information about the park can be obtained in any of the park’s public service centers located in the entrance area. Entrance fees may be charged by person or per vehicle if you don’t wish to travel by foot. The whole park can be explored to your heart’s content alone with your family or together with other groups and guided by a park ranger. Your admission ticket will expire after one week.

Things to Do and Places to Go at Denali National Park

Watch the Sled Dog Demonstration – You may have seen numerous sled dogs in movies, but have you ever had the opportunity of seeing one in person? That’s something you can enjoy at Denali National Park.

Hiking Activities – There are countless trails that you can take in the park, all of which afford you priceless glimpses and distant but real encounters with the diverse animal species of Denali National Park. And of course don’t forget to take the time to smell the roses, figuratively speaking, because the park’s flora and fauna is one of the most beautiful sights in the state.

A Bus Ride to the Park – If you’ve never been enamored of exhausting walks around the park then you can certainly take the shortcut by riding the free Savage River shuttle bus offered by the park. Get friendly with other visitors as all of you try to catch glimpses of ferocious looking wolves, intimidating moose, and rare caribou, which are also known as reindeers.

Relive the History – Every place has its story, and Denali National Park is not an exception to the rule. If you have time to spare, don’t hesitate to participate in the guided tour offered by the park and which speaks of the Natural History of the species found in its territory. Your tour will end at Primrose Ridge.

Explore the Tundra – The coldest biome of all, a tundra environment is just one of the many environmental wonders that you can discover and learn more of at Denali National Park. It’s best that you have a guide with you the first time around so he can explain to you the many differences between tundra and other biomes. The tundra environment of the park can be found near Toklat River.

Indoor Learning – Drop by at the Murie Science and Learning Center and join one of the many workshops that are offered. Denali National Park is especially interested in building people’s interest and knowledge of nature and wildlife, and the learning opportunities they provide are not only intellectually beneficial but enjoyable as well. A workshop could be a great way for your family to bond with each other even more!

There are other non-guide activities that your family can enjoy doing in Denali National Park. During the summer, your family can pay a kennel visit, go mountaineering, camping, fishing, and cycling, and your kids can also join the Junior Ranger Program. During the winter, your family can enjoy snowmobiling, dog mushing, skiing and other winter sports activities.

Whatever you decide to see and do in Denali National Park, the whole family will have a great time.