About All ToursPlane Flightseeing ToursFrom Anchorage ToursRailroad ToursFrom Talkeetna ToursATV ToursFrom Fairbanks ToursNature & Wildlife ToursHiking ToursSherp Fat Truck ToursZipline ToursRafting Tours Directions Hours & Fees
Find Tours 
Most visitors reach this 6-million-acre sub-arctic wilderness by driving 240 miles north from Anchorage along the George Parks Highway. The Alaska Railroad's Denali Star Train provides an eight-hour alternative route directly to the park depot at Mile 1.5.
George Parks Highway (AK Highway 3), Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Driving the George Parks Highway (AK Highway 3) covers 240 miles of remote interior terrain between Anchorage and the park entrance. This route takes five hours and gives you complete control over the schedule. Pull over at historic Talkeetna for lunch, or detour 30 minutes south of the park to visit Husky Homestead.
You can bypass the heavy tourist traffic outside the park boundaries and secure lodging in Healy, a quieter town 11 miles north. Summer traffic on the two-lane highway frequently slows down behind slow-moving RVs. Gas stations remain sparse between major towns. Fill the tank completely before leaving Anchorage.
The Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star Train leaves Anchorage daily at 8:20 am during the summer season. The eight-hour journey traces deep valleys and crosses the 296-foot-high bridge spanning Hurricane Gulch. Passengers disembark directly at the Denali Depot at Mile 1.5, steps from the main visitor center.
You can upgrade to deluxe dome cars like the Wilderness Express for panoramic roof views and onboard dining. Tickets sell out months in advance due to high demand. The train takes three hours longer than driving, making it a poor choice for tight itineraries. Secure reservations early through the Alaska Railroad website to guarantee a seat.
The Alaska Park Connection Motorcoach matches the five-hour driving time while letting someone else handle the road. These buses run daily scheduled summer service connecting Anchorage directly to the park. Seats feature in-seat power outlets, large picture windows, and access to an onboard restroom.
You skip the stress of navigating RV traffic on Highway 3. Fares land far below train prices, saving budget for guided ATV tours or flightseeing. You sacrifice the ability to make spontaneous roadside stops or visit off-highway kennels. Book tickets directly through the Park Connection website.
Private vehicles cannot pass Mile 15 on the Denali Park Road during summer. To reach the interior, board a green, non-narrated transit bus at the Denali Bus Depot. The route follows a winding gravel road up to the East Fork River at Mile 43, taking 4.5 hours round-trip.
Passengers can disembark anywhere along the route to day-hike off-trail across the tundra or explore the gravel banks of the river. Children aged 15 and under ride free, but still require a reserved ticket. Pick up your physical passes at the depot before departure.
The park operates free summer shuttles connecting major visitor facilities, trailheads, and campgrounds. The Savage River Shuttle runs every 30 minutes, offering a two-hour round-trip ride to Mile 15. Families use this route to reach the Savage Alpine Trail or view the rugged canyon walls without paying transit bus fees.
Another free shuttle takes visitors directly to the historic kennels for live sled dog demonstrations. These buses eliminate the need for a private vehicle in the frontcountry. Download the NPS app to check current shuttle schedules offline.
Private vehicles enter the park for a $35 fee and can drive up to the Savage River Bridge at Mile 15. Drivers must leave their cars at accessible entrance facilities, such as the Denali Bus Depot, to board mandatory transit buses. Visitors with severe mobility limitations can bypass this restriction by applying weeks in advance for a special road travel permit.
| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | Car | 5 hours | $180+ per day | Take the George Parks Highway (AK Highway 3) north for the fastest route, allowing a detour to historic Talkeetna for lunch. |
| Anchorage | Train | 8 hours | $135 - $649+ | The Alaska Railroad Denali Star departs northbound at 8:20 am daily during summer, dropping passengers directly at the Denali Depot at Mile 1.5. |
| Anchorage | Bus | 5 hours | $75 - $180 | Alaska Park Connection Motorcoaches feature in-seat power outlets and onboard restrooms, matching driving time without the rental vehicle expense. |
Narrated tour buses and local hotel rooms sell out months before the May to September season begins. Secure departure dates and times online at reservedenali.com. Waiting until you arrive guarantees missing the Tundra Wilderness Tour.
Cellular service vanishes completely three miles past the park entrance. Download the NPS app, trail maps, and shuttle schedules to your phone before leaving Anchorage or Healy. Offline access prevents missing the last outbound shuttle.
Private cars cannot pass the Savage River Bridge at Mile 15 between mid-May and early September. Reaching deeper sections of the 92-mile park road requires a reserved ticket on a green transit or tan tour bus. The route itself currently closes entirely at Mile 43 due to the Pretty Rocks landslide.
Skip the rental car and use the free Savage River Shuttle or Riley Creek Loop buses. These run frequently during the summer, connecting major visitor facilities, trailheads, and campgrounds near the entrance. Children aged 15 and under also ride the longer non-narrated transit buses for free with a reserved ticket.
Holders of an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass bypass the standard $15 per person entrance fee. Bring the physical card to the Denali Visitor Center. Standard entry covers seven days, but children aged 15 and under enter for free regardless.
Take the George Parks Highway (AK Highway 3) north for 240 miles. The drive takes five hours and passes through the town of Talkeetna before reaching the park entrance. Car rentals in Anchorage start around $180 per day.
Private vehicles must stop at the Savage River Bridge at Mile 15 during the summer season. You need to ride a park transit or tour bus to go deeper into the wilderness. Drivers with qualifying mobility needs can apply weeks in advance for a special road travel permit to bypass this restriction.
Standard entrance fees are $35.00 for a private vehicle or $15.00 per adult over age 15. Your pass remains valid for seven days. Holders of a $45.00 Denali Annual Pass or an America the Beautiful pass enter for free.
The Denali Star Train runs daily during the summer, departing Anchorage at 8:20 am. The trip takes eight hours to reach the Denali Depot at Mile 1.5. Standard tickets cost between $135 and $435, with deluxe dome cars available for higher rates.
The Alaska Park Connection Motorcoach drives the 240-mile route in about five hours. Tickets range from $75 to $180. These buses include in-seat power outlets and onboard restrooms.
Summer traffic stops at Mile 43 due to the Pretty Rocks landslide. The National Park Service is building a bridge to bypass the damaged section. Transit bus trips to this turnaround point at the East Fork River take 4.5 hours round-trip.
You must collect all transit and tour bus tickets at the Denali Bus Depot near the park entrance. Book these reservations online through the park concessioner, Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture, before you arrive. Summer tours sell out months in advance.
Browse verified tours with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Find Tours