Getting Around Denali: Access, Shuttles, and Parking

By Erika Müller · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Denali

Denali isn't like most American national parks. In summer, private vehicles can only travel about 15 miles up Park Road. Beyond that point, buses are in charge. Here's how to reach the park from around Alaska and, more importantly, how to get around without surprises.

How to Get to Denali

To reach Denali from Anchorage or Fairbanks by car, train, or plane, the Getting to Denali guide covers all the options, travel times, and Alaska Railroad schedules.

The Park Entrance and Which One to Choose

Denali has one main entrance at the start of Park Road. There isn't a gate, so the park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The Denali Visitor Center is 1.5 miles from the entrance. The sled dog kennels and NPS headquarters are at mile 3.

The entrance fee is $15 per person, whether you're on foot, on a bicycle, or riding a bus. The park's annual pass costs $45, and the America the Beautiful pass covers admission. You'll find the details on passes and group rates on the National Parks Fees & Passes page.

Getting Around the Park

This is where Denali differs sharply from a park like Yellowstone or Zion.

By Car

Denali Park Road is the only road into the park. It stretches for 148 miles, but in the heart of summer, private vehicles stop at Savage River Crossing, at mile 15. The road is paved to that point. Beyond it, the surface is gravel.

That's a firm rule, not a suggestion. It protects wildlife and the fragile land along the road. A steady stream of private cars would make the wilderness unmanageable.

Outside the high season, in spring and fall depending on road conditions, the limit may extend to mile 30, near Teklanika Campground, or even farther. In winter, vehicles can generally reach mile 3. By late winter, they may get as far as mile 12.

By Bus: Shuttle and Transit

Beyond mile 15, Park Road is accessible only by bus. The NPS offers two options.

Free shuttles cover the entrance area, including the visitor center, the sled dog kennels, and a few stops as far as mile 15. They're convenient for getting between the entrance-area sites without fighting for a parking spot.

Transit buses travel much farther into the park, sometimes reaching Eielson Visitor Center at mile 66 or going beyond it, depending on conditions. They run on demand and stop so passengers can watch wildlife or let hikers out. Nearly every visitor who wants a chance to see Denali clearly uses this option. Tour buses provide narration for visitors who prefer a more structured experience.

Book as soon as the online calendar opens. July and August seats can sell out within hours.

By Bike

Bicycles are allowed on all of Park Road, including beyond mile 15. It's one of the few ways to travel up the road at your own pace. The terrain is demanding, some sections are unpaved, and the distances are substantial. Bring water and food, and remember that temporary closures can occur when wildlife is active on the road.

Where to Park: Parking Lots and Spaces

Most parking is around the Denali Visitor Center at the park entrance. During the high season, in July and August, lots can fill before 10 a.m. Arriving before 8 a.m., or parking in Glitter Gulch, the entrance village just outside the park, and walking or taking a shuttle to the entrance are the best ways to avoid wasting time circling for a spot.

There is no parking beyond mile 15. Private cars simply don't travel that far.

Distances and Travel Times Between Areas

Here are a few reference points along Park Road from the entrance:

Plan on a full day to travel from the entrance to Eielson Visitor Center and back. To decide which areas to prioritize based on the length of your stay, our Itinerary & Length of Stay guide offers practical day-by-day options.

Special Cases: RVs, Accessibility, and Pets

RVs and camper vans. Highway 3 is easy to drive. Inside the park, large vehicles face the same mile 15 limit as cars. Check length restrictions for the parking lots in the entrance village before setting out. The Denali RV guide covers compatible campgrounds and their amenities.

Accessibility. Some transit buses are equipped for wheelchairs. The NPS also offers special access passes for visitors with limited mobility. Ask at the Denali Visitor Center when you arrive.

Pets. Dogs are allowed in the parts of the park accessible by vehicle, up to mile 15, as well as on roads and in a few designated areas. They're not allowed on trails or in the wilderness. Dogs must be leashed at all times.

Practical Mobility Information: Cell Service, Fuel, and Apps

Cell service. Expect no signal at all once you leave the entrance village. Download offline maps before you go, using Gaia GPS or the NPS app, which offers downloadable Denali maps. Write down the park's emergency numbers on paper, too.

Fuel. There are no gas stations inside the park. Healy, about 11 miles north of the entrance, has gas stations. Don't rely on your remaining fuel.

Road conditions. The NPS posts closures and alerts on its official website. Weather directly affects the road surface beyond mile 15. The Denali weather guide covers the seasons and precipitation patterns in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions