Denali National Park: Guide to the Best Things To Do With Kids

Denali National Park has always seemed like some mystical faraway land in Alaska’s wilderness. It was as remote as I could imagine. I put it on my dream bucket list, never expecting to have the opportunity to visit one day – without having to win the lottery that is haha. However, my travel stars aligned, and before long, my daughter and I were on our way to Alaska for an epic road trip in the summer of 2021. Denali National Park was, of course, our first stop. As expected, the park was breathtakingly stunning. There were surprisingly a lot to do with kids so I decided to include them all in this guide for you. So keep reading and get ready to be wowed on your next trip to Denali.

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See the Mountain

Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, is the tallest mountain in North America. It is so tall that it is said to “make its own weather,” resulting in clouds often surrounding its peak. Attempts at seeing the mountain itself is like a game of hide-and-seek as it is so elusive and only visible about 30% of the time.

By Tour Bus

To get a good view of Mt McKinley inside the park, hop on one of tour buses that goes on the Park Road on a clear sunny day. The Park Road goes deep inside Denali National Park and offers numerous views of the mountain. During the summer, the public can drive the first 15 miles of Park Road up to Savage River. Past that point, you will need to book a seat on a bus and see views of the mountain from up to 25 miles away.

The best viewpoints on the Park Road are at mile marker 9 coincidentally your first view of the mountain; at Eielson Visitor Center; and at Wonder Lake, deep inside the park at the end of the road. On a clear day, you can see the the mountain and its reflection on the lake.

By Fligthseeing Tour

The most impressive way to get a good view of the mountain is by air. Flightseeing tours from Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Denali Park depart several times a day and give a dramatic, magnificent tour of the mountain. During your flight, you will fly above snowfields, glaciers, and granite cliffs. Some tours even offer a glacier landing for an even out-of-this-world experience.

For this tour, I highly recommend booking with K2 Aviation. They operate out of Talkeetna and in my humble opinion, they have the best value price. Their pilots are highly experienced and very friendly. And it doesn’t hurt that those fire engine red planes are the perfect photo props!

Other Viewpoints Near the Park

The 360-mile route from Anchorage to Fairbanks offers numerous opportunities to see Denali. Denali Viewpoint South at mile 135, located at Mile 135.2, is only around 40 miles from Denali and offers a breathtaking view that is unrivaled outside of the national park.

Denali Viewpoint North at mile 163, is another scenic overlook with a different perspective of Denali.

There are also excellent views of Denali in Talkeetna such as at the entrance of the town and at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.

See the Animals of Denali National Park

Sled Dog Kennels

Denali is the only place among all National Parks that has dog rangers. Their kennels are open to the public and well worth a visit. The dog rangers are extremely friendly and enjoy competing for visitors’ attention. Denali has a long history of dog sled teams due to the dogs knowing the terrain well and providing invaluable wisdom that machines cannot. And while a sled dog team is obviously much slower than an airplane or a snowmobile, they are arguably more reliable in sub-arctic winter conditions when starting an engine can be nearly impossible.

Wildlife

Denali National Park covers an area of over 6 million acres and is home to over 100 species of mammals including grizzly bears and caribou. Most people come to the park hoping to spot Denali’s Big Five: moose, bears, Dall sheep, caribou and wolves. To increase your chances to spot wildlife, your best bet is by booking a sightseeing bus tour.

Hike on a Kid-Friendly Trail Inside Denali National Park

Denali National Park features several trails under 2 miles long that are most definitely kid-friendly. Remember to always carry bear spray when hiking in the park.

Horseshoe Lake Trail

Horseshoe Lake trail is one of the most popular hiking trail in the park. This easy 2-mile hike takes you to an aerial viewpoint of the lake before going down to Horseshoe Lake. From there, you will be hugging the shores of the lake completely before looping back. The trail delivers stunning views throughout, going through a dense forest and even passing by an impressive beaver dam built on one side.

Savage River Loop Trail

Another great hike to consider is the Savage River Trail. The 2 mile trail makes a loop around a section of the Savage River. It’s a very popular trail, especially among families. To avoid crowds, go early in the day. Although a very pretty trail, Denali is not be visible from the trail. For views of the mountain, you need to get to a higher elevation on the Savage Alpine Trail, which begins at the same trailhead.

Tundra Loop Trail

An easy and short 0.3 mile loop departing from Denali National Park’s Eielson Visitor Center. It is a great way for kids to stretch their legs after the long bus ride and explore the alpine tundra. There are lots of alpine flowers on the trail and Denali can be seen from here on a clear day. Tundra Look Trail is only accessible by tour bus on the Park Road.

Mountain Vista Trail

Mountain Vista Trail begins at mile 13 on Denali Park Road. Follow signs to the Mountain Vista Trail from the Mountain Vista Rest Area. This short 0.6 mile hike provides excellent views of the mountains in the Savage River Area. Parking is extremely limited at this trail and in the summer months, it is best to rely on the free park shuttle to access the area.

Spruce Tree Trail

This is another short trail ( only 0.2 mile). It is near the Visitor Center and goes through spruce forest. Good for a quick walk while waiting on a bus or train.

Practical Information About Denali National Park

Best Time to Visit Denali National Park

Summer is the best time to visit Alaska, and especially Denali National Park. The tour buses, one of the main activities of the park, runs from the second week of June to mid-September. Furthermore, wildflowers bloom in the summertime, making for an even more beautiful scenery.

How to get to Denali National Park

By car

In Alaska, rural sites are frequently identified by a road mile marker rather than a postal address. Denali’s single road access is at Mile 237 on Alaska Highway 3 (also known as the George Parks Highway). Denali National Park is located 240 miles north of Anchorage and 120 miles south of Fairbanks.

By train

The state-owned Alaska Railroad connects Anchorage to Fairbanks and runs directly through Denali’s entrance. The train depot is five-minute walk from the Denali Visitor Center. Please visit Alaska Railroad for more information.

By bus

In the summertime, a variety of private bus and van services operate daily between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Operating hours

Denali National Park is open year-round 24 hours a day. The park is busy from March to October. During that time, it is best to visit before 8 am or after 3 pm.

The Denali Visitor Center is open May 15 through October 11 (closes the third Wednesday after Labor Day) Its hours of operation vary:

• Summer hours: 8 am to 6 pm
• Fall hours: 9:30 am to 5 pm

Fees

Entrance fee is $15 per person (free for 15 and under). This fee is valid for 7 days. If you are going to visit more than 2 National Parks in one year, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful-National Parks Annual Pass instead. It costs $80 and will give you access to all Federal fee areas for 12 months from the month of purchase.

Where to stay near Denali National Park

There are many lodging options in and near Denali. There are 6 campgrounds inside the park run by the National Park Service. Campground reservations are possible as early as December 1 of the year before your visit. Fees vary from $19.25 to $39.75 per night during the summer and are free in the winter (roughly late September to early May)

For campgrounds outside the park and other options, you should visit the Denali tourism board.

We stayed at Denali Hostel and Cabins and it was a fantastic affordable stay. Conveniently located off of Park Highway, it was the perfect home base after long days at the park. If Denali Hostel and Cabins is a little too rustic for you, I also recommend stays at the McKinley Creekside Cabins just across the highway. Rooms at McKinley Creekside Cabins are all equipped with wood furnishings and a private bathroom. They also have free Wi-Fi and feature views of the surrounding forests and mountains. The on-site Creekside Café serves delicious meals in a casual dining experience. Make sure to try one of the large cinnamon rolls (their specialty) and the Alaskan baked halibut. They even offer packed lunches for outdoor excursions.

I hope this guide is helpful to you when planning for your Denali National Park trip. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time visiting the park. Please feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below.

Thank you for reading!

FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY NATIONAL PARKS TRAVEL IDEAS:

• Zion: ultimate guide to hiking the Narrows with kids
• Bryce Canyon: the best hike at Bryce Canyon National Park
• Haleakala: how to experience Maui’s Haleakala sunrise with kids
• Arches: hiking to Delicate Arch with kids