Hannah's Denali Guidebook

Hannah
Hannah's Denali Guidebook

Favorite Restaurant

An amazing place to have an early breakfast, pick up a lunch to enjoy while in the Park, or rest and relax after a long hike. Nestled beside a small stream and surrounded by mountain peaks- Creekside Cafe includes outdoor dining for those days when you just don't want to be inside! A favorite of visitors and locals alike- this is one of our go-to places each summer. I recommend making reservations if you have a large group, but they aren't required to dine here. Be sure to save room for their strawberry rhubarb bread pudding for dessert- you're welcome!
McKinley Creekside Cafe
224 Parks Highway
An amazing place to have an early breakfast, pick up a lunch to enjoy while in the Park, or rest and relax after a long hike. Nestled beside a small stream and surrounded by mountain peaks- Creekside Cafe includes outdoor dining for those days when you just don't want to be inside! A favorite of visitors and locals alike- this is one of our go-to places each summer. I recommend making reservations if you have a large group, but they aren't required to dine here. Be sure to save room for their strawberry rhubarb bread pudding for dessert- you're welcome!
Located just north of the Park's entrance, this is a wonderful place to start or end your day. Featuring a wide selection of in-house made baked goods, ready-made sandwiches, and a variety of plated options. Gluten-free? Vegan? Vegetarian? No worries! The Black Bear has something for everyone!
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The Black Bear
Parks Highway
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Located just north of the Park's entrance, this is a wonderful place to start or end your day. Featuring a wide selection of in-house made baked goods, ready-made sandwiches, and a variety of plated options. Gluten-free? Vegan? Vegetarian? No worries! The Black Bear has something for everyone!
The best pizza around & great beer selection in a fun setting along the Canyon's boardwalk. Be sure to call and double-check their 2021 hours.
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Prospectors Pizzeria and Alehouse
238.9 Parks Hwy
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The best pizza around & great beer selection in a fun setting along the Canyon's boardwalk. Be sure to call and double-check their 2021 hours.

Local Activities

Be sure to check out the Park while you're here. Guests can take a bus into the Park for a day of sightseeing and wildlife viewing (fingers crossed!), or enjoy one of Denali's numerous front country trails. Be sure to stop by the Visitor's Kiosk to check current schedules and to learn what may be happening that day!
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Denali National Park & Preserve
Parks Hwy
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Be sure to check out the Park while you're here. Guests can take a bus into the Park for a day of sightseeing and wildlife viewing (fingers crossed!), or enjoy one of Denali's numerous front country trails. Be sure to stop by the Visitor's Kiosk to check current schedules and to learn what may be happening that day!
Whether you're just starting out taking photos or you've been doing it for years, Denali Photo Guides is here to help. They know all the best spots in the Denali area to try to capture the light and leave with photo memories that you'll treasure forever! All of their guides and staff are amazing!
Denali Photo Guides
142 Parks Hwy
Whether you're just starting out taking photos or you've been doing it for years, Denali Photo Guides is here to help. They know all the best spots in the Denali area to try to capture the light and leave with photo memories that you'll treasure forever! All of their guides and staff are amazing!
For those who want to take a break from the bustle and just enjoy some time by a river.
Denali Fly Fishing Guides
Parks Highway
For those who want to take a break from the bustle and just enjoy some time by a river.
Spend some time learning about what it takes to train an Iditarod sled dog team from the four-time Iditarod champion, Jeff King.
Husky Homestead
Hickory
Spend some time learning about what it takes to train an Iditarod sled dog team from the four-time Iditarod champion, Jeff King.
You're in Denali so why not? A great chance to liven up your time here and something you're sure to never forget!
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Denali Park Zipline
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You're in Denali so why not? A great chance to liven up your time here and something you're sure to never forget!
If hiking isn't your style, no worries! Denali has a little bit of something for everyone. Take a guided tour or rent an ATV and seek out your own adventure.
Denali ATV Adventures
238 Parks Hwy
If hiking isn't your style, no worries! Denali has a little bit of something for everyone. Take a guided tour or rent an ATV and seek out your own adventure.
Get behind the wheel of a new Jeep and head for the stunning Denali Highway or the Denali Park Road. Your guide will narrate the landscape as you drive through it.
Denali Jeep Excursions
Get behind the wheel of a new Jeep and head for the stunning Denali Highway or the Denali Park Road. Your guide will narrate the landscape as you drive through it.
If hiking is too slow for you, why not rent a bike for the day! Some of Denali's Park buses come equipped with bike racks- allowing you to bus out into the Park and bike back! (Be sure to ask about them at the ticket counter if this is something you're interested in! Pro-tip: if you catch a late bus in June or July you can miss a lot of the Park road traffic while still having plenty of light to bike back to the entrance with!)
Bike Denali Rental Center
Mile 238 Parks Hwy
If hiking is too slow for you, why not rent a bike for the day! Some of Denali's Park buses come equipped with bike racks- allowing you to bus out into the Park and bike back! (Be sure to ask about them at the ticket counter if this is something you're interested in! Pro-tip: if you catch a late bus in June or July you can miss a lot of the Park road traffic while still having plenty of light to bike back to the entrance with!)
If you want a change of pace there's no better way than by getting in a raft. Learn about Denali as you float down the glacial river that makes up a portion of its eastern boundary.
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New Wave Adventures
239 Parks Hwy
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If you want a change of pace there's no better way than by getting in a raft. Learn about Denali as you float down the glacial river that makes up a portion of its eastern boundary.

Groceries

If you need to make some last-minute repairs to gear or pick up a few miscellaneous goods, Three Bears and the adjoining Ace Hardware can come to your rescue. These are both located 15 miles north of the Park's entrance in the town of Healy, AK.
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Three Bears Healy
248.5 Parks Hwy
16 helybéli ajánlásával
If you need to make some last-minute repairs to gear or pick up a few miscellaneous goods, Three Bears and the adjoining Ace Hardware can come to your rescue. These are both located 15 miles north of the Park's entrance in the town of Healy, AK.
If you accidentally forgot a few key items, Great 1 can come to your rescue! Located just a mile north of the Park's entrance it's also convenient to boot!
Great 1 Grab 'N' Go Grocery
If you accidentally forgot a few key items, Great 1 can come to your rescue! Located just a mile north of the Park's entrance it's also convenient to boot!

Hiking Trails

At 9.4 miles, the Triple Lakes Trail is Denali's longest. Hike the whole thing or do an out-and-back section of your choosing. (Note: this trail is not a loop, thus you'll have to stage a vehicle at the North or South end to hike it in its entirety!) This trail affords visitors a great chance to stretch their legs while in Denali. While this trail doesn't gain a significant amount of elevation, because of its length, we consider this to be a moderately-strenuous hike.
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Triple Lakes Trailhead
Parks Highway
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At 9.4 miles, the Triple Lakes Trail is Denali's longest. Hike the whole thing or do an out-and-back section of your choosing. (Note: this trail is not a loop, thus you'll have to stage a vehicle at the North or South end to hike it in its entirety!) This trail affords visitors a great chance to stretch their legs while in Denali. While this trail doesn't gain a significant amount of elevation, because of its length, we consider this to be a moderately-strenuous hike.
Located at Mile 15 of Denali's Park Road, this trail is a great chance to get into Denali's alpine areas. We recommend bringing extra layers as winds can pick up once you hike above treeline in Denali. While everyone's definition is different, but we consider this trail to be a strenuous hike.
Savage Alpine Trailhead
Located at Mile 15 of Denali's Park Road, this trail is a great chance to get into Denali's alpine areas. We recommend bringing extra layers as winds can pick up once you hike above treeline in Denali. While everyone's definition is different, but we consider this trail to be a strenuous hike.
This trail begins from the Visitor Center area in Denali National Park. We recommend talking to a ranger or checking out a map for specifics. We can say that this trail starts going up, and keeps going up throughout the hike. While it may be a strenuous trek, the views from the top can certainly be worth the work!
Mt. Healy Overlook Trail
This trail begins from the Visitor Center area in Denali National Park. We recommend talking to a ranger or checking out a map for specifics. We can say that this trail starts going up, and keeps going up throughout the hike. While it may be a strenuous trek, the views from the top can certainly be worth the work!
Though there is limited parking at the trailhead, the Horseshoe Lake trail is located a brief 10-minute walk from Denali's Visitor Center area. This loop trail is wide, packed gravel, and includes bout 300 feet of elevation change. This trail is great for all ages! Be on the lookout for beaver or moose- though if you see the latter be sure to keep your distance. While moose may seem docile and slow- they are neither. We strongly recommend giving them their space!
Horseshoe Lake
Though there is limited parking at the trailhead, the Horseshoe Lake trail is located a brief 10-minute walk from Denali's Visitor Center area. This loop trail is wide, packed gravel, and includes bout 300 feet of elevation change. This trail is great for all ages! Be on the lookout for beaver or moose- though if you see the latter be sure to keep your distance. While moose may seem docile and slow- they are neither. We strongly recommend giving them their space!
This wonderful 2-mile loop trail is located at mile 15 of Denali's Park Road. With almost no elevation change we consider this to be a great option for families or most hikers. (Note: this trail does contain some rock stairs, narrow sections, and uneven ground. It is not ADA accessible)
Savage River Loop Trail
Park Road
This wonderful 2-mile loop trail is located at mile 15 of Denali's Park Road. With almost no elevation change we consider this to be a great option for families or most hikers. (Note: this trail does contain some rock stairs, narrow sections, and uneven ground. It is not ADA accessible)
Located at mile 13 of Denali's Park Road, Mountian Vista Trail is a great place to enjoy a picnic or stretch your legs. The Picnic area includes about 2-miles of wide, compact gravel trails, and informational signs- all of which are ADA accessible. And Yes you can see the mountain from here on a clear day! :)
Mountain Vista Picnic Area
Located at mile 13 of Denali's Park Road, Mountian Vista Trail is a great place to enjoy a picnic or stretch your legs. The Picnic area includes about 2-miles of wide, compact gravel trails, and informational signs- all of which are ADA accessible. And Yes you can see the mountain from here on a clear day! :)

Other Amenities

We all try our best, but accidents happen. If you need medical assistance during your time in Denali, our Canyon Clinic is located just 1-mile north of the Park's entrance. (Look for the red cross on the left side of the road as you drive north) But above all else stay safe out there!
Canyon Clinic at Denali
238.5 Parks Hwy
We all try our best, but accidents happen. If you need medical assistance during your time in Denali, our Canyon Clinic is located just 1-mile north of the Park's entrance. (Look for the red cross on the left side of the road as you drive north) But above all else stay safe out there!