What You Need to Know Before You Go

• Be Flexible. Travel in Alaska can be fickle, and like any other PNW destination, we always expect rain. Since many activities are outdoors, your plans are at the mercy of the weather. During our short visit, they canceled one of our activities, and our boat tour was cut short because of the 10 ft swells.
• Temperatures are Mild. Because of its location, Seward has mild temperatures compared to the rest of Alaska, with average temps ranging from 40-70 degrees F.
• What is the best time of year to visit Seward Alaska? The best time to visit is between June and August. The roads are open, tours are operating, and the days are longer. You can visit the town and National Park year-round, but roads close between October and May, and there are fewer tours. Getting to Exit Glacier in the winter requires a snowmobile, skis, or dog sled.
• Whales are often spotted in the area. You will most commonly see Orca and Humpback whales, but you can also see minke, fin, and gray whales.
• Food and Restaurants are not available in Kenai Fjords National Park, but there are plenty of options in Seward.

9 Best Things to Do in Seward Alaska

1. Boat Cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park

1304 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664, map

You can’t visit Seward without seeing Kenai Fjords National Park, and since most of the park is hard to access, we recommend taking a boat cruise. There are multiple options based on how long you want to spend on the water. If you’ve been on other whale-watching tours before, you know that it’s never a guarantee to see wildlife. The longer your tour, the more chances you get to see wildlife.

We did the Northwestern Fjord Tour, which goes furthest into Kenai Fjords than any other tour. Unfortunately, our captain had to turn us around before the icebergs and glaciers because of the swells. We were bummed, but we get that safety comes first. It rained most of the ride, so having fully waterproof clothes allowed us to stand outside comfortably and see wildlife, including seals, puffins, and one humpback whale. The last photo is from our friends at Pursuit, and what it looks like when mother nature is your friend. Guess we’ll have to go back!

Local Tip: Give yourself at least 2-3 days, and book your cruise early in your trip so you can rebook it if it’s canceled due to weather. Unfortunately, we tend to have bad luck with the weather, and all three days of our days were rainy and choppy, but our friend who came one day earlier had the most beautiful day.

See More: 17 Unforgettable Things to Do in Denali National Park

2. Alaska Sealife Center

301 Railway Ave, Seward, AK 99664, map

The Alaska Sealife Center is unique because it combines a public aquarium and a marine research center. It’s also the only permanent marine mammal rehab facility in Alaska. Unlike other aquariums we’ve been to, this felt like the research came first, then the aquarium. We saw the octopus they planned to release the week after our visit.

During your visit, you can see all the wildlife from the area, like puffins, octopuses, sea lions, and more. It was fascinating to see the different life stages of salmon. They live strange and challenging lives, swimming upstream up to 2000 miles to spawn and die.

Local Tip: Since you don’t have to schedule a visit, this is an excellent option if any outdoor tours get canceled.

3. Visit Exit Glacier

60.183844,-149.6472933, map

Exit Glacier is the only accessible area in Kenai Fjords National Park. The highlight is the hike to Exit Glacier Overlook, a 2.2-mile easy trail. Now that it’s receded so much, you have to hike farther and farther in. There are markers along the way that show you the year and where the glacier used to be. Our new friend from this trip, Valerie, showed us photos from 2017 and 2022 (below). It’s sobering to see how much the glacier has melted.

We recommend taking the right fork as you head up to Exit Glacier Overlook, then walk towards the Outwash Plain on the way back. We also considered the Harding Icefield Trail for a much more challenging hike, which is 9.2 miles roundtrip with a 3641 ft elevation change but ended up opting for the shorter hike since we were limited on time.

This area is open year-round, but from late October/early November to early May, the road is closed due to snow. You can still access it via snowmobiles, dogsled, snowshoes, fat bikes, or cross-country skis.

Local Tip: As you drive towards Exit Glacier, there is a pull-out on the left of the road located here. Stop by to see what visibility is like. If you can’t see the glacier in the distance, then the hike probably isn’t worth doing either.

Pro Tip: We didn’t run into mosquitos in other spots but saw a bunch of them and got bites up here. Don’t forget bug spray, and have this bug bite suction handy if you get a bit. It works best right after you get a bite.

See More: 15 Least Visited National Parks You Need to Explore Next

4. Explore Via Water Taxi

Water Taxis are a great way to see the water and spot wildlife while getting to harder-to-reach destinations. It’s a popular way to explore more of Kenai Fjords National Park.

Some popular water taxi destinations include:

• Aialik Public Use Cabin
• Bear Glacier
• Caines Head
• Callisto Canyon Cabin
• Fox Island Spit
• Holgate Arm Public Use Cabin
• Northwestern Fjord
• Thumb Cove

5. Dog Sledding

599 Mt Hood Dr, Girdwood, AK 99587, map

We finally got to check this off our life bucket list, and we got to do it with Mitch Seavey’s dogs (famous for being a three-time Iditarod Champion). Between mid-May to August, you can hop on a helicopter for a short ride up to Punchbowl Glacier. Once you arrive, you meet the mushers and dogs and take turns dog sledding. Afterward, you get to spend more time with the dogs before the chopper comes to take you home.

You’ll notice that we did our tour in Girdwood, which is about an hour and a half from Seward and an hour from Anchorage. Because we flew into Anchorage, it was a great option to break up the drive with an adventure, and you can tack it on the front or back end of your trip. There are other options if you want to do it in Seward.

Local Tip: These are Alaskan huskies which are a mix. They don’t look like ‘typical’ fluffy huskies, but we like that they prioritize their health and performance over appearance. We got to meet 5-week-old, 8-week-old, and 3-month-old puppies too! Although they don’t always have puppies, they bring some up a couple of times each season.

See More: Ultimate Life Bucket List: 1001 Things to Eat, See, and Do

6. Fishing Or See the Salmon Run

33580 Bear Lake Rd, Seward, AK 99664, map

Seward is a popular sportfishing destination where you’ll find all five varieties of Pacific salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. If you’re visiting between late June to early September, one of the most popular things to do is a saltwater combo fishing trip targeting halibut, salmon, and rockfish.

Instead of fishing, we wanted to see the salmon run, so we headed to Bear Creek Weir, a free spot to see salmon jumping and sometimes bears. King Salmon, or Chinook Salmon, runs from late May to late July. Then the Pink Salmon and Sockeye Salmon take over from mid-July to mid-August.

We planned to stay for 10-20 minutes, but once we started seeing them jump, we couldn’t leave and ended up staying over an hour.

Local Tip: We spent most of our time on the side of the building watching the salmon jump, but if you cross the road and look downstream, you’ll see a bunch of salmon swimming upstream too!

7. Flightseeing

Whether you get into the sky via helicopter or small fixed-wing plane, a flightseeing tour is one of the best ways to see the glacial landscapes near Seward. Although we got a taste with Alpine Air Alaska on our ride to dog sledding, we wished we had time for a full flightseeing tour. Next time!

If you’re hoping to see glacier pools, the best time for that is May and June.

Local Tip: Guides also use helicopters for kayaking, hiking, ice climbing, and dog sledding. So if you’re interested, look for activities that require heli transport. Remember that most are just for transportation, so you get beautiful views, but the ride is short.

8. Waterfront Park

420 Ballaine Blvd, Seward, AK 99664, map

The Waterfront Park is beautiful, especially when the skies are clear. You can’t see much from our photo, but the mountains are there! If we were ever to RV in Alaska, it’s the perfect place to set up camp.

See More: 15 Best National Parks to Visit in August

9. Downtown Seward

Downtown Seward was fun to explore. We grabbed fudge and kombucha on tap at Sweet Darlings, tried an Alaskan Duck Fart Shot at Gold Rush Bistro, and picked up some edible souvenirs.

You can also visit the Seward Community Library & Museum, a public library, museum, and community center.

Murals are another highlight, with over 30 larger-than-life paintings throughout the town. Did you know Seward was officially designated the Mural Capital of Alaska in 2008? Our favorite was Whale Redux. Use this online map to find all the murals.

Local Tip: Seward offers a free shuttle around town. Just look for the blue and white Shuttle Stop signs to find the pick-up and drop-off locations, then hop on the bus that says Free Shuttle in red. The entire route takes about 30 minutes.

More Things to Do in Seward Alaska

On our next trip, we hope the weather can cooperate so we can either kayak or cruise out to the icebergs. We also want to check out the ice climbing and take a heli tour to glacial pools.

• Alaska Railroad
• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
• Seward Axe Company
• E Bike Tour / Bike Tours
• Ice Climbing (Early June through early September)
• Kayaking & Paddling – this was also canceled during our trip.
• River Rafting
• Seward Community Library and Museum
• Seward Mariner’s Memorial
• Surfing
• Ziplining

Map of the Best Things to DO in Seward Alaska

Getting to Seward Alaska

Even though Seward is a small town, there are plenty of ways to get there.

• By Plane: Seward has a small state-maintained airport limited to charter flights. Otherwise, most people fly into Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC).
• By Car: Once you arrive, rent a car and drive from Anchorage to Seward. It is 129 miles away and takes roughly 2.5 hours with no stops. You will be driving along the scenic Seward Highway and Alaska Scenic Byway! The first hour of the road is curvy, so keep your eyes on the road. 
  • Bus and taxi companies offer rides between the two cities, but we always like having a car for the flexibility to stop.
• By Rail: If the timing works out for your travel, the Alaska Railroad offers daily passenger service to Seward via the Coastal Classic from May to September. It arrives daily at 11:05 AM and leaves for Anchorage each evening at 6:00 PM. It’s a great way to soak in the views but is more limiting on time.

Once you arrive in Seward, getting around town is easy with the complimentary shuttle. Most hotels, lodges, and tour operators also offer complimentary shuttles.

What to Eat in Seward Alaska

Seward isn’t known as a food destination, but we still wanted to check out the food scene. There is a Safeway grocery store in town if you need cooking supplies or snacks.

• Mermaid Grotto Cafe and Boutique (Cafes, ) – Unique and quirky spot, but the food we ate was just okay. 99% of the time I order Korean-inspired food at random places, I’m usually disappointed, but curiosity got the better of me. We tried the Bulgogi Rice Bowl and Asian Brussel Cabbage Salad, which we would not order again. Maybe we’ll try a sandwich and coffee next time.
• Ray’s Waterfront (Seafood, ) – Tourists rave about this place on the waterfront, but usually, places with views don’t tend to have the best food. The seafood was just okay, and the views did not make up for it.
• Ressurection Roadhouse (American, ) – The best meal from our trip was here (and we’re not just saying this because Seward Windsong Lodge hosted us). We would have eaten here more often but didn’t realize until the end of our trip that the bar had different food from the restaurant side.
• Seasalt (Seafood, ) – We stopped in just for a snack and got soup, but the service and food were very lackluster.
• Sweet Darlings (Desserts, ) – If you’re craving gelato, fudge, or saltwater taffy, make a stop here. They make most of it in-house and even have kombucha on tap.
• Yukon Bar (Bars, ) – We walked by this bar, and it immediately grabbed our attention. It has all the small-town bar vibes. According to our Alaskan friend, you must do a Duck Fart shot. Heyyyyyy, when in Alaska? Also, it’s cash only, but there is an ATM inside if you need it.

Where to Stay in Seward Alaska

There are a lot of different options on where to stay during your stay in Seward. We stayed at the Windsong Lodge, which is the closest lodging to Exit Glacier. The rooms were comfortable, and Resurrection Roadhouse is on the property. In addition to that, they offer complimentary shuttles to downtown Seward.

We enjoyed being just outside of town and in an Alaskan-style lodge that felt tucked away in a forest. Since we didn’t get the best weather, we’ll have to just come back and stay here on a future visit.

What to Pack for Seward Alaska

• Rain Gear: A rain jacket (we use these) is key for travel in Alaska. Rain pants are also helpful if you’re spending a lot of time outside.
• Waterproof Boots: We love our waterproof Danner Boots! They even have insulated versions.
• Layers: Layers are essential to shed when it gets hot but layer up when it’s cold. Here are our favorite jackets.
• Socks: Comfortable boots are only helpful with good socks.
• Sun Protection: Just because it’s cloudy doesn’t mean you don’t need SPF.
• Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun and debris during certain activities. We like these since they strap onto your face.
• Camera: You’ll want a long lens for wildlife. We brought a 100-500 lens with our R5 before our trip.
• Battery Charger: this beast of a charger charges two phones at the same time.
• Map: Whether you want a physical map or download google maps offline, it’s always a good idea to have one when you don’t have a cell signal.
• Bear Spray: You can’t fly with bear spray, so you’ll have to get some in town.
• Bug Spray: these have come in so handy. The Bug Bite Thing is also helpful if you use it right after they bite.
• Gloves: combined with my rechargeable hand warmer.
• Reusable Water Bottle: These are all our favorites tested on the road.
• Seasick Meds: If you get seasick, pick up some Dramamine. Be sure to take it early enough before your boat rides.
• Backpack: A day pack is nice when you’re out all day. If you carry camera gear, check our favorite camera backpacks or travel backpacks! Weather resistance is vital in Seward since it rains so much.
• Hiking Poles: If you plan on doing longer hikes, pack your trekking poles!
• Want to know what to wear to the airport? These are our ideal airport outfits.
• Carry on essentials to improve your next flight.

Essential Tips for First-Time Visitors

• Plan Water Activities Early. Plan them early in your trip so you can rebook them if they get canceled.
• Best months for whale watching –
  • Humpback Whale – May to August
  • Orca Whale / Killer Whale – May to June
  • Gray Whale – March to May
  • Minke Whale – May to September
  • Fin Whale – May to September
• If you are taking Dramamine for boat rides, take it at least 2 hours before the ride so that it has time to work. Typically, it’s too late if you’re already seasick.
• Check restaurant hours. Depending on the time of year, they may have limited hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for later

What You Need to Know Before You Visit

• You can only drive the first 15 miles into the park. From Savage River Check Station, you must either take a bus, bicycle, or hike in. Most people see Denali National Park by either shuttle bus or interpretive bus tour.
• Mt McKinley was renamed Denali in 2015 so you’ll still hear both names.
• Weather is fickle. Our driver was told us that only 30% of people get to see Denali. A lot of the times, it is shrouded in clouds. For your best chances, go as early morning as possible. Clouds tend to come in during the day.
• Bring a map (NatGeo Denali National Park) or hike with a guide. Denali is wild. It’s the backcountry and there are not many well-maintained trails. It’s easiest to hike when you stick near river beds but you can expect bushwhacking and stream crossings as well.
• Bring Bug Spray. If you make it out to Wonder Lake, bring a bug net. They might look stupid, but you will feel stupid after getting dozens of bug bites on your face.

How the Buses Work – 4 Types of Buses

This was probably what confused me the most before I arrived in Denali.

1. Free Shuttle Buses only travel the first 15 miles of the park road. It connects visitor centers and points of interest where you can already drive your own vehicle.
2. Tour Buses are narrated and can travel further into the park along Denali Park Road. There are three types of tours that range from 4.5 hours round trip to 11 hours round trip. The biggest advantage of these is that they will stop when wildlife is spotted and give everyone plenty of time to watch them in their natural habitat.
3. Transit Buses are non-narrated. These are cheaper than tour buses and more flexible on stops. You can disembark or rebound anywhere along the road (although most of the time, they are full and those who have tickets to that specific bus get priority). They make brief stops for wildlife, but their main purpose is to get you from point A to point B. For paid buses (both tour and transit), reserve in advance as they fill up quickly.
4. Camper Buses take you to campground and backcountry hikes but can only be accessed through a reservation or backcountry permit.

Tips for Buses

• Specific schedules are subject to small adjustments throughout the season. Always check the latest schedule when you arrive.
• When you purchase your tickets, you will be charged the park entrance fee. Be sure to bring your annual park pass (good for up to 4 people) with you. If you forgot it like we did, you can bring it the next day and get a reimbursement.
• Bus trips range from 4.5 to 12 hours. Keep that in mind while you’re planning your days. If you plan on trying to catch a bus back, be patient. Those who have tickets for that particular bus will have priority.

Visitor Centers

• The Denali Visitor Center is only open in the summer from 8am to 6pm. This is the main visitor center near the entrance of the park. Watch the park film, check out exhibits, or join one of the ranger led programs. You can also get backcountry permits here.
• The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) is the main visitor center during the fall, winter, and spring. It is also located at the front of the park and showcases research from living laboratories like Denali National park. It is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm.
• The Eielson Visitor Center is also only open during the summer. It’s located at Mile 66 and can be reached by most shuttle buses and the Kantishna Experience tour bus. There are ranger-led programs, a small art gallery, and beautiful views of Denali on clear days. It’s open from 1pm to 3pm in the summer and 9am to 5:30pm the rest of the year.
• The Denali Bus Depot (formerly Wilderness Access Center) is only open in the summer. You can busy bus tickets, reserve campsites, and check in for existing reservations. It is located near the park entrance and is open from 5am to 7pm. There is a small coffee shop, bookstore and is where you will catch your bus.
• The Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station is located about 100 miles south of the Denali National Park and Preserve in the town of Talkeetna. This ranger station is the center of mountaineering operations. Climbers who plan on hiking Denali or other peaks in the Alaska Range need to stop here first. It is open year round from 8am to 5:30pm.

17 Unforgettable Things to DO in Denali National park

1. Nenana River Whitewater Rafting

With Explore Denali Rafting, you can either hop on a mild Wilderness Float Trip where you can simply enjoy the views, or get your adrenaline pumping on a Paddle or Canyon Run.

We did the Paddle Run and hit some gnarly rapids! There were only four of us in the raft in addition to our guide, where we all had to paddle. Another raft floated along with us on the Canyon Run, where the guests just hold on while the guide does all the heavy lifting. BUT did you really raft if you don’t paddle? We’ll let you decide. Either way, we highly recommend experiencing the Nenana River.

You’ll be on the water for about 2 hours and 3-4 hours total including pickup, instruction, and gearing up. They provide all the equipment you need, including dry-suits since the water stays cold year round, transportation to and from your hotel, and experienced river guides.

Local Tip: If you’d rather watch your friends raft, head to Milepost 242 of the George Parks Highway. You’ll be able to see them raft through the Cable Car Rapid. There’s easy parking and you can even hike down to the Nenana River.

2. See the Big 5

Out of the Big 5, the only ones we didn’t see was the last one. 

1. Caribou / Reindeer
2. Dall Sheep – look for a white dot
3. Grizzly Bears – look for a golden bail of hay
4. Moose – look for a large brown mass
5. Wolves

More Denali Animals to Look Out For: Collared pika, coyotes, golden eagles, hoary marmot, lynx, porcupine, red fox, snowshoe hare, wolverines, and more. See the full list here.

Pro Tip: Bring the longest lens you own. I was wishing I had a 400 mm on a crop sensor. Unless you’re lucky, most of the animals are far away. Keep in mind that it’s not a zoo, and you’re never guaranteed to see wildlife. We’ve been to plenty of national parks where we didn’t see much, meanwhile, everyone and their moms would have epic sightings. This was by far our luckiest trip for seeing wildlife. 

3. The Tundra Wilderness Tour

When: May 20 – September 11
Time Needed: 5-5.5 Hours
Distance: 63 Miles to Stoney Hill Overlook then Back

We rode both the narrated bus and a shuttle bus, and actually recommend both if you have the time. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is great because you have more time to see wildlife and our driver was insanely good at spotting wildlife. They even have a camera where they can zoom in so you can see them closer on the bus monitors.

During the tour, the driver shared the history of Park Road and stopped at every opportunity to see wildlife, where you had plenty of time to take photos and watch them in their natural habitat. When Denali is visible, you also get some of the best views of the mountain. The bus stops roughly every 1.5 hours for bathroom breaks and to stretch your legs. 

Pro Tip: They provide a box of snacks, but also bring your own lunch and extra snacks since it’s a long day out.

There are 3 Interpretive Bus Tours with different itineraries. All tours stop every 1.5 hours for restroom breaks and offer either a snack or full lunch.

• Denali Natural History Tour (4.5-5 hr, 30 mi one way) – History of humans in the park
• Tundra Wilderness Tour or Toklat Shoulder Season Tour (5-5.5 hr, 63 mi one way) – Focus on wildlife
• Kantishna Experience Tour (13 hr, 92 mi one way) – Focus is on the landscape. Out of the 3 interpretive bus tours, this is the only one that takes you to the end of the Park Road, the only one that stops at Eielson Visitor Center, and the only one with an Interpretive Ranger from the National Park Service that joins you at Wonder Lake.

4. Triple Lakes Trail Interpretive Hike

When we go hiking on our own, we miss a lot of details because we’re focused on getting to the destination or worried about running into wildlife. The Triple Lakes Trail Interpretive Hike was a great way to learn more about the boreal forest, where to keep an eye out for wildlife, and the best vantage points.

Our guide tailored the hike to what we were interested in, helped us stay on pace, and answered questions about the local flora and fauna. He also gave us suggestions on other hikes to check out and places in town we should stop by.

Pro Tip: Let your guide know if there is something in particular that you’re interested in, so he or she can point it out and tell you more about it during the hike.

5. Denali Flightseeing Tours

These views were jaw-dropping. The mountains went on forever, and you get to soar above the clouds for better chances to see Denali.

Denali Air navigates through the park through their small aircrafts giving you views of mountains, glaciers, and even Denali up close. Our pilot pointed out the different basecamps of the mountaineers too.

During our trip, it was amazing to see the park from land, water, and air.

Photo Tip: The pilot does a great job trying to give both sides of the plane good views. If you’re shooting, it helped to have a longer lens to get past the wing and propellers of the plane. We mostly used our 70-200 mm lens.

6. Meet the Canine Rangers at the Denali Kennels + Sled Dog Demonstrations

If you love dogs, this is a must! Denali National Park is the only park that uses sled dogs, and these canine rangers have worked alongside their human counterparts since the 1920s.

The kennels are roughly 3 miles into the park and open year-round. During the summer, you can stop by to meet the pups and watch a sled dog demonstration. During the winter, the dogs and rangers are frequently in the park, so be sure to check at the visitor center before making your way to the kennels.

Pro Tip: Everyone talks about the sled dog demonstrations, but if you are short on time, you can just go see them. You can drive your car to the kennels but parking is limited. During the summer, you can take a free shuttle bus here.

7. Stony Hill Overlook (Mile 62)

This was our favorite view of Denali and the last stop on our Tundra Wilderness Tour. When we took the transit bus out to Wonder Lake, we were hoping we might make a stop here again, but since the Eielson Visitor Center is just a few miles past this, the driver didn’t bother stopping here.

8. The Eielson Visitor Center (Mile 66)

If you only do one thing in the park, visit the Eielson Visitor Center. You get amazing views and see a lot of the park on the way – Josh, Youth Volunteer

The Eielson Visitor Center is only open in the summer and has great views of Denali on clear days. There are daily ranger-led programs, a small gallery of art, and has some of the few established trails in the park.

9. Murie Science and Learning Center

The Murie Science and Learning Center is also Denali’s winter visitor center. Check out exhibits and learn how to be better stewards of national parks in Alaska.

10. Wonder Lake (Mile 84.5)

Wonder Lake is a popular campground with 28 sites and the closest to Denali (although it’s still 26 miles from the mountain). Our initial plan was to come up here to find Reflection Pond, which is next on the list, but since clouds covered Denali by the time we were here, we decided to enjoy the lake for a bit then head back.

Pro Tip: Mosquitos here were ruthless! Not only because of the sheer number of them, but nothing seemed to phase them either. If we visit again, we’re definitely bringing bug nets.

11. Reflection Pond (Mile 85.3)

Photographers love Reflection Pond. As its name implies, you can get beautiful photos of Denali and Foraker reflecting off the surface of the pond. We were bummed that Denali was covered in clouds by the time we got there. Next time, we’ll have to camp at Wonder Lake to take advantage of the morning light and increase chances to see the mountain.

Pro Tip: If you’re taking the bus to Wonder Lake to get here, ask the bus driver to drop you off before he descends down to Wonder Lake. That will save you from hiking back up the hill just to find the pond.

12. Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre

Enjoy a family-style dinner and show at Denali Park Village. The show shares about the local history through music and humor. Set in the early 1900s, the cast is talented and charismatic and they do a great job getting the crowd involved.

Note: We’ll admit that this is usually not our cup of tea, but it was a great way to meet other people at the communal restaurant tables.

13. Old Sourdough Studio

We’ve never taken old-timey photos before, but Alaskan themed old-timey photos? Down! They use authentic clothes, help you get dressed, and make the experience really quick and smooth. Everything in the photo was real except for the snow and husky.

14. Hike the Backcountry

If you want to explore more of the park, much of it is done in the backcountry. Stop by the Wilderness Access Center to get all the info you need about camping and backcountry in Denali. The six million acres are divided into 87 backcountry units (each unit is tens of thousands of acres). 41 of those units have a limit on the number of people allowed to camp each night.

Tips:

• Your entire party must be present when obtaining your permit.
• You must have a backcountry permit before purchasing a camper bus ticket.
• Supplies are limited in the Denali area. Try to purchase items you need before arriving.
• Backpacking units are subject to availability. They are only issued the day before or the day of your trip. Your best chances are to arrive at 8am the day before your trip to get your choice in unites.
• You will need to complete a backcountry orientation and it will be good for the season. You can even save time by watching the video at the Denali Visitor Center before the day of your permit. Just be sure to document with the park staff that you watched it.
• Have a few units picked out ahead of time so you can select the one that is available. You can read more about each unit here.
• If it’s your first off-trail backpacking trip, these units are a good starting point: 1 (features a trail), 9-13, 18, 34, and 42.
• Read more about how to plan for your trip here.

Pro Tip: If you’re new to hiking in the backcountry, we highly recommend you go on a ranger-led backcountry hike before you venture out on your own. One of the locals told us that they ran into 16 grizzlies on one hike.

15. Bike Denali Park Road

Cycling is a great way to see the park plus visitors are allowed to bike all 92 miles of the Park Road. You can check out trip ideas here. More Tips:

• You can ride on park roads, parking areas, and campground loops. Bicycles are prohibited on all other trails.
• Electric bikes are not allowed beyond the first 15 miles.
• Bring your own repair kits.
• Eielson Visitor Center at mile 66 is the only place to refill water (see our favorite travel water bottles here).
• Be aware of wildlife. You cannot cycle faster than a bear (they can run up to 35 mph).
• Remember weather can be fickle. Be prepared for all types of weather.

16. Take in the Northern Lights (Winter)

September is my favorite time of year. The weather is perfect, the bugs are gone, and you get a chance to see the Northern Lights. – James, Our Local Hiking Guide

Summer is amazing because you get such long days, but if you visit in the spring, fall, or winter, you also get a chance to see the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. The sky is usually dark enough starting the second week of August.

See More: 9 Breathtaking Things to Do in Seward Alaska

17. Win the Road Lottery

NOTE: Unfortunately, the Road Lottery is currently suspended for the foreseeable future.

Every year, they open the Park Road to the public through a lottery.  Applications run from May 1-31 and they only award 400 passes each day. If you’re lucky enough to win the lottery for this 4-day event in September, you can drive as far as Wonder Lake (mile 85). Otherwise, you’ll have to join the rest of us via bus. Find more details here.

See More: 11 Hardest Outdoor Permits to Get in the US

Map of Denali National Park

More Things to Do at Denali National Park

• Become a Junior Ranger – always a fun way to learn about the park. It’s great for kids, and most of the time they don’t discriminate against adults. ;)
• Fishing – although it’s not a super popular fishing spot because of the glacial silt, you can fish at Wonder lake and a few clear streams that flow into Savage River.
• Ziplining

Best Overlooks and Views in Denali

• 9 Mile Marker – first view of Denali view (you can access with your own car)
• 10.6 Mile Marker – both Denali peaks are visible
• 13 Mile Marker – Mountain Vista Trailhead. See Denali on clear days.
• 16 Mile Marker – Primrose Ridge – you can see Denali, wildflowers, & wildlife
• 30 Mile Marker – Teklanika River Bridge
• 46 Mile Marker – Polychrome – colorful mountains (watch for grizzlies, moose, caribou)
•  53.1 Mile Marker – Toklat River – caribou and other wildlife
• 61.95 Mile Marker – Stony Hill Overlook – one of the best views of Denali
• 66 Mile Marker – Eielson Visitor Center – 33 miles from Summit of Denali
• 85 Mile Marker – Wonder Lake – moose here at dusk and dawn

Denali Hiking Trails

• Horseshoe Lake Trail (2.1 mi loop, 393 ft △, easy) – look for moose
• Mt Healy Overlook Trail (4.3 mi roundtrip, 1666 ft △, moderate) – a lot of exposed trail
• Savage River Area
  • River Loop Trail (2.1 mi loop, 413 ft △, easy)
  • Savage Alpine Trail (8.2 mi roundtrip, 1414 ft △, strenuous)
• Eielson Visitor Center Area
  • Tundra Loop (0.4 mi, 52 ft, easy)
  • Thorofare Ridge Trail (2.1 mi roundtrip, 1020 ft, strenuous)
  • Gorge Creek Trail (3.8 mi roundtrip, 1095 ft, moderate)
• Triple Lakes Trail (18.5 mi round trip, 3690 ft, strenuous) – the one we did. It’s the longest established trail where you see three lakes, blueberry patches, bears, waterfowl, beavers.
• Rock Creek Trail (4.4 mi, 944 ft, moderate)
• McKinley Station Trail – easy, 3.2 mi
• Visit this page for a complete list of day hikes.

Where to Eat

If you spend all day in the park or do the guided tours, bring food with you. We opted to get the sack lunches from the Gold Rush Dining Room (if you do this, you need to order your lunch the day before). By evening, we were so exhausted, we stayed close to home.

• Gold Rush Dining Room – We had most our meals here since we stayed at Denali Park Village. They have different menus for lunch and dinner. Our favorite dish was the Pan Seared Alaskan Halibut (we recommend you order it medium if you do get it).
• Lucky Miss Saloon – It’s attached to Gold Rush Dining Room. They open until 11pm so it’s a great option after being out all day.
• Denali Thai Food – Some of the best Thai food we’ve had anywhere. I know.. it’s a shocker, and we didn’t believe people until we tried it ourselves. They outdoor seating at the food cart, but we brought it back to our room to hide from the mosquitos.
• Cabin Night Dinner Theater – Family-style buffet dinner. They do move you through dinner first so they can get to the show.

Where to Stay – Denali Park Village

Denali Park Village was the perfect home base during our stay in Alaska. You can choose between The Lodge or Cabins. Either way, you have easy access to all of the grounds and its amenities.

The main Lodge has beautiful views of the river, an indoor fireplace, a shop, and restaurants. It’s where you will meet for any tour pickups and they also provide a free shuttle to the National Park. You can also hang out at the Miner’s Plaza, which has a general store, Cabin Nite Dinner Theater, and outdoor stage, a museum, shops and more.

For more options, check the map below.

Camping in Denali National Park

If you’re looking to camp in Denali National Park, you can make reservations online as early as December 1 of the year before your visit. Campground fees will be between $25.25-49.25/night and is free in the winter (late Sept to early May)

• Riley Creek Campground (Mile 0.25, Year-round) – RVs and tent camping
• Savage River Campground (Mile 14, mid-May to mid-Sept) – RVs and tent camping
• Sanctuary River Campground (Mile 22, May 20 – mid Sept) – tents only
• Teklanika River Campground (Mile 29, May 20 – mid Sept) – RVs and tent camping
• Igloo Creek Campground (Mile 35, May 20 – mid Sept) – tents only
• Wonder Lake Campground (Mile 85, June 8 – mid Sept) – tents only

More Camping Info:

• Check in & checking out is 11am
• There are no spaces for RVs over 40′ long
• None of the campgrounds have electrical or water hookups for RVs
• All campgrounds have toilets (some flush, some are vault-style)
• Campgrounds all have potable water except Igloo Creek and Sanctuary River
• All campgrounds have recycling containers for aluminum cans, glass, plastic jugs and bottles (#1 and #2, and plastic containers (#5)
• Pets are allowed on campground roads and Park Rod, but not on trails on in the wilderness
• You can have fires in established grates in Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River. Fires may not be used for cooking
• There is a 14 night maximum in the summer season
• Click here for more info on campsites
• You can find backcountry camping info here

More Resources

• Denali Guide to Hiking, Photography, and Camping
• Backcountry Companion for Denali National Park
• Complete Visitors Guide to Denali, Wildlife, Outdoor Activities
• Denali National Park NatGeo Trail Map + Wildlife Guide

Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for later