Denali National Park and Preserve covers more than six million acres in Interior Alaska, near the communities of Healy and Cantwell. It is 240 miles north of Anchorage and 125 miles south of Fairbanks.
Accessibility: The park is accessible by automobile on the George Parks Highway, by rail on the Alaska Railroad or by small aircraft.
History: The area was first established as Mount McKinley National Park in 1917. It was designated an international biosphere reserve in 1976, and the park was expanded and became Denali National Park and Preserve in 1980.
Unique features: Denali National Park and Preserve is the well-known home of Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, which stands at 20,320 feet and is North America’s tallest mountain. However, the park is also the largest protected ecosystem in the world, with 750 species of flowering plants, 39 mammal species, 165 bird species, and 10 species of fish.
Temperature: Average summer temperatures range from 33 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures range from 40 degrees below zero to the high 20s.
Activities and attractions: The activities in this expansive park are nearly endless. Denali draws hopeful mountaineers from around the world. Visitors take bus tours, bicycle rides or long walks down the 90-mile Denali Park Road, which is closed to private vehicles after Mile 15. Hiking, camping, rafting, back country travel, fishing, wildlife viewing and flightseeing are also popular activities. Winter options include dog mushing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
Fees: Entrance fee: $10.00 per individual, $20.00 per family
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