Hiking
There are few places in the world wilder and more beautiful to hike than Denali's wilderness regions. It's easy to get lost in the beauty and the desire to climb just one more ridge, but know your limits and consult park staff before you head out. Also be sure to follow "Leave No Trace" etiquette, be prepared for bear encounters, and bring all necessary equipment.
With the exception of the trails near the entrance and at the Savage River checkpoint, the park is essentially trail-less. Distances may look attainable from a distance, with foothills off the side of the road appearing no more than an hour away. Be wary of such predictions. Distances in the tundra are farther than they appear and while it may look smooth, bogs, willows, alder, and other obstacles can quickly hinder the best-laid plans. Be conservative with your goals, take your time, and leave a hike plan with someone that includes your intended destination and when to expect to hear from you. Once you finalize this plan, do not deviate from it.
A big draw for more experienced hikers and backpackers are the foothills and ridges accessible from the park road. As long as you don't go deep into the Alaska Range, it's possible to reach some summits and high ridges without technical climbing expertise. Stamina and physical fitness are required however. Once up high, hikers find easy walking and sweeping views of braided rivers, tundra benches and foothills, and ice-capped mountains.
Nature Trails and Short Walks
The park offers plenty of options for those who prefer to stay on marked and groomed pathways. The entrance area has more than a half-dozen forest and tundra trails. These range from easy to challenging, so there's something suitable for all ages and hiking abilities. Some, like the Taiga Loop Trail and McKinley Station Loop Trail, are less than 1½ miles; others, like the Rock Creek Trail and Triple Lakes Trail, are several miles round-trip, with an altitude gain of hundreds of feet. Along these paths you may see beavers working on their lodges in Horseshoe Lake, red squirrels chattering in trees, red foxes hunting for rodents, sheep grazing on tundra, golden eagles gliding over alpine ridges, and moose feeding on willow.
The Savage River Trail, farthest from the park entrance and as far as private vehicles are allowed, offers a 1¾-mile round-trip hike along a raging river and under rocky cliffs. Be on the lookout for caribou, Dall sheep, foxes, and marmots.
The only relatively long, marked trail for hiking in the park, Mt. Healy Overlook Trail, is accessible from the entrance area; it gains 1,700 feet in 2½ miles and takes about four hours round-trip, with outstanding views of the Nenana River below and the Alaska Range, including the upper slopes of Denali.
Guided Hikes
In addition to exploring the park on your own, you can take free ranger-guided discovery hikes and learn more about the park's natural and human history. Rangers lead daily hikes throughout summer. Inquire at the visitor center. You can also tour with privately operated outfitters.
Rangers will talk about the area's plants, animals, and geological features. Before heading into the wilderness, even on a short hike, check in at the Backcountry Information Center located in the visitor center. Rangers will update you on conditions and make route suggestions. Because this is bear country, the Park Service provides backpackers with bear-proof food containers. These containers are mandatory if you're staying overnight in the backcountry.
