Denali National Park is located in Alaska, USA. Denali is a park that can offer an adventure vacation to quiet contemplation, some love the wildlife viewing while others are after the climb of Mt. McKinley. Whatever kind of vacation you choose, it is a great way to see Alaska outdoors. Most people travel to Denali National Park and Preserve between May and September when the weather is the most accommodating.

Denali has only one road called Denali Park Road. The is the main way visitors see Denali park. The road is 92 miles long and the first 15 miles of it, to Savage River, are paved. This is open to public vehicles during the summer, late May through early September. Past mile 15 in the summer is by shuttle, hiking or tour bus. Bus travel has its advantages with more wildlife sightings, travels along cliffs and through the mountain passes.

The weather in Denali changes frequently and unexpectedly. Summer temperatures range from 33 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit but it has been known to snow in July. June through August can be rainy or very dry. Winter temperatures range from -40 degrees Fahrenheit and colder to high 20’s on warm days. This weather can run from October to March.

Denali is an unspoiled and one of the world’s last great frontiers. Mt. McKinley is Denali National Park and Preserve’s most dominant feature and North America’s tallest peak. There are 650 species of flower plants and 1,500 species of vascular plants, mosses and lichens. These are hardy plants as they have to suffer a long, cold winter and short growing seasons in addition there is only a thin layer of topsoil to support life.

Denali is home to 39 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 10 species of fish, and one species of amphibian known in Denali. Spring brings the return of most of the bird life. Year-round residents include all the mammals, fish and 18 species of birds and the one amphibian.

Flightseeing - some companies open year round. Most operators are off park land in surrounding areas such as Talkeetna, Denali Park, Healy, Kantishna, Anchorage and Fairbanks. There are a variety of routes and itineraries. The following companies have permission to land on glaciers in Denali National Park:

• Fly Denali: 866-733-7768
• Hudson Air Service: 800-478-2321
• K2 Aviation: 800-764-2291
• Talkeetna Air Taxi: 800-533-2219

Mountaineering - All climbers attempting Mt. McKinley or Mt. Foraker must register with Denali National Park and Preserve. The strictly enforced 60-day pre-registration regulation allows mountaineering rangers to have direct contact with climber before arrival. Fee of $200.00 per climber plus park entrance fee. Guide services need to be authorized by Danali National park and Preserve. Registration and questions can be handled by calling: (907)733-2231.

Backpacking/Back-country - permits are free but required. Permit process takes about one hour and consists of: planning your itinerary, watching the back-country video, a safety talk with a ranger, delineating maps and purchasing Camper Bus tickets and, if necessary, park your vehicle in the Riley Creek Campground overflow parking lot.

Ranger-led Programs - Check at the visitor’s center for schedule. Activities vary. Day hiking - most trails are considered easy to moderate in difficulty and some are ADA accessible. Segways and wheelchairs (motorized and non-motorized) are permitted on park trails, even where signs prohibit other non-foot traffic such as bicycles or motorized vehicles. Most trails are near the visitor’s center.

Visitor’s Centers - Denali national Park and Preserve has 3 visitor’s centers and 2 stations. Denali Visitor’s Center is the main source of information. It contains a restaurant, bookstore, baggage claim, ranger-led programs, exhibit hall, films and Alaska Railroad depot. Open May 15, 2010 to September 21, 2010 from 8am - 6pm. Phone: 907-683-2294

The northern Athapaskan people once occupied the region that is now Denali National Park and Preserve. Though the terrain is rough, they often traded with traded with the other people near this area. There are still remains of villages, fish camps and trails from the Athapaskans.

In 1905, Joe Quigley and Jack Horn found gold in Glacier Creek. The Gold Rush was on, once the word was out that there was gold in Alaska. During that year, several thousand prospectors came to Alaska staking claims on every creek that heads in the Kantishna Hills. Since 1917, mountaineering has been a draw to Denali with the challenge of climbing Mt. McKinley.