Denali National Park Alaska Drive

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ali National Park Alaska Drive | ALASKA.ORG Alaska Highway Drives

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Top Day Tours Alaska Highw ay Drives Other Drives: To Nearby Destinations Denali

The incomparably beautiful Denali is the

pinnacle of many travelers' Alaskan visits.

The park holds six million acres of lakes,

tundra, peaks, and wildlife dominated by

North America's highest peak andinterrupted by a single 90-mile road.

It's a good five-hour drive up to the park,

and you'll find a number of scenic highlights

and activities along the way-here are a few

of our favorites:

Eagle River Nature Center (Mile 13.4)

Just 30 minutes out of town, you'll come to the dramatic Eagle

River Valley and the nature center, the gateway to Chugach State

Park. Pick the brains of the rangers for activities; perhaps you'll hike

a section of the Iditarod Trail and hark back to the days when the

trail was used as a mail route. Albert Loop Trail meanders three

miles through prime beaver-watching territory and serves up great

peak views.

Details

907-694-2108

Exit at mile 13.4 and take Old Glenn Highway, follow signs tomile 12.5 Eagle River Rd.

32 min from downtown 27 miles one-way

Thunderbird Falls (Mile 25.2)

Walk through the mossy forest of birch trees about one mile; you're

soon surrounded by ferns, and then at the viewing platform, where

you can watch the thunderous falls tumble down the rocky cliff face.


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Eklutna Village Historical Park (Mile 26.5)

Dating back to 1650, the park is the area's oldest continuously

inhabited Athabaskan Indian settlement. Russian Orthodox

missionaries came here in the early 1800s, and you can still see St.

Nicholas Church, the oldest standing building in greater Anchorage.

Snap some pictures of the colorful Spirit Houses build over the

graves of the deceased-a custom that came from the melding of

the cultures. Up for a walk? It'll pay off with a glacier view, as well

as the chance to see foxes, eagles, and black bears.

Details

907-696-2828

Exit at mile 26.5 and take Eklutna Lake Rd.


Eklutna Lake

On the other side of the highway, a 10-mile road leads to this

secluded lake, a great spot to picnic, hike, or fish. Trails include the

easy 8-mile Lakeside Trail or 6.5-mile Twin Peaks Trail, which

climbs to magnificent views.


Old Glenn Highway (Mile 29.6)

To explore the road less traveled, take the Old Glenn Highway to

Palmer, a back road that feels like old Alaska. The roadside homes

and farms are rural and private, with space and beauty all around

them. You'll cross the old Knik River Bridge where you can get out

and hike around, but there tend to be a lot of four-wheelers in the

area.


Parks Highway Junction (Mile 35.3)

Turn off onto the George Parks Highway, which leads north to

Talkeetna, as well as Denali and Fairbanks. The Glenn Highway

continues east toward Hatcher Pass, Matanuska Glacier, and

McCarthy.


Wasilla (Mile 42.2)

Wasilla boasts historic buildings and, for dog-mushing fans, the

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Iditarod Headquarters. You can purchase souvenirs, watch footage

of past races, and take a ride with a veteran musher on a cart

pulled by a sled dog team.

Details

Iditarod HQ: Mile 2.2 Knik Road (south from Wasilla); 907-376-

5155; www.iditarod.com; open daily 8:00am-7:00pm (summer

hours, May15-Sep 18)


Talkeetna (Mile 98.7-halfway to Denali)

The 15-mile drive down a spur road into Talkeetna is a worthwhile

detour. This authentic pioneer town offers awe-inspiring southern

views of McKinley, gorgeous flightseeing, world-class fishing, and

the staging ground for climbing expeditions. Take in a slice of

Alaska's past-and have a drink-at the historic watering hole, the

Fairview Inn.

2 hr 17 min from downtown 114 miles one-way

Scenic Stops

You'll cross the mighty Susitna River (mile 104.2), get your first

clear view of the Alaska Range (mile 107.6), and drive through

wide open Broad Pass (mile 195).

2-4 hr from downtown 105-195 miles one-way

Denali Highway Junction (Mile 210)

This 135-mile dirt road leads you through the high country to lakes,lodges, and tons of camping and hiking.

4 hr 13 min from downtown 211 miles one-way to junction

Denali National Park (Mile 237)

Turn west here into the park. You'll find the visitors center, hotels,

and entrance campgrounds within a few miles.

4 hr 45 min from downtown 238 miles one-way

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Denali National Park Alaska Drive