Denali: Active Bears Close or Restrict Campgrounds Until Further Notice

If you're planning a trip to Denali, take a look at your overnight plans before you go. Because of bear activity the park considers dangerous, it has tightened its camping rules, and that directly affects anyone who was counting on pitching a tent.

Start with the campgrounds. Igloo Campground is closed for the rest of the season, no exceptions, so you can't book it or stay there right now. At Teklanika, tents are no longer allowed either. Only hard-sided vehicles can be used for sleeping there, again through the end of the season. In practice, a camper van or an RV is fine, but a tent isn't. If you're traveling light, that one detail changes your whole itinerary.

The backcountry is affected too. Units 29 and 6 are closed to all overnight use for at least a week. The park hasn't set a date for reopening them. Its crews are watching the area and won't reopen these units until it's safe to travel through again. In other words, keep a backup plan handy if your hike was headed for those spots.

There's good news if you've already booked. An existing reservation isn't lost. When you arrive and check in, the park will reassign you to a spot at another campground. Just build in a little flexibility on the day, and stop by the front desk to find out which site you're offered.

This kind of restriction is seasonal and tied to how the animals behave, so it can change quickly in either direction. Before you pack up, check the status of the campgrounds and backcountry units, and remember the food storage rules in bear country. For everything else, getting there, the best times to visit, and logistics on the ground, our Denali park guide is still your starting point for planning a stress-free trip.