Denali National Park & Preserve, home to North America’s tallest peak, is a monumental landscape that beckons adventurers from around the globe. Yet, on our recent Alaskan trip, my enthusiasm for National Parks somehow didn’t translate into prioritizing a long stay here. Having heard mixed reviews about the full-day bus tours (and already committing to a very long Arctic Circle tour just days before), we opted for a more condensed visit, squeezing in about two hours after our Fat Tire Sherpa tour.
Our plan was to drive the initial 15 miles into the park, as far as private vehicles are permitted. At the designated turnaround point, where the park road becomes restricted to shuttle buses, we found a small parking lot – unfortunately, luck was not on our side, and it was completely full. A little deflated, we turned back, knowing our ambitious plan to explore further was thwarted by the popularity of this incredible place.
However, Denali always offers a chance for wonder. We pulled into the Mountain Vista area, hoping for a glimpse of the elusive peak. Stepping out, we quickly realized there was a small path leading to a better vantage point. At first, we impulsively stood on a picnic table to get a better view, but then noticed the actual loop path which we hoped would offer a clearer sightline. This area was a bit wooded, and as we hadn’t come prepared with bear spray, a tiny tremor of nerves ran through me. Still, the pull of seeing Denali was strong. We decided to go for it, making sure to make plenty of noise – stomping loudly in spots and talking loudly – and constantly scanning the brush. While the recommended bear viewing distance is 300 yards, we knew a bear would likely see us long before we ever spotted it. The park felt remarkably quiet in the later afternoon, adding to the serene, yet wild, atmosphere.
And there it was! Denali itself, majestic and imposing, even with its summit shrouded in clouds. Interestingly, we had seen the very top of the mountain from the airplane window on our flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks earlier in the trip. So, seeing the lower, broader expanse of the mountain from within the park completed our visual of the incredible peak. It was a brief, beautiful moment of connection with the iconic mountain.
Despite the short visit and missed opportunities, our two hours in Denali were impactful. Seeing the mountain, witnessing the vastness of the landscape, and having that incredible moose encounter – it all offered a powerful taste of Alaska’s wild heart. It was a reminder that even a brief visit can leave a lasting impression, and it’s certainly sparked a desire to return and truly immerse ourselves in the grandeur of Denali National Park.
Satisfied with our glimpse, we began our drive back out. We found ourselves a few cars behind a park tour bus, which, true to form, made a few stops. On one such stop, we finally saw why: a pretty large male moose, somewhat close to the road, partially obscured by the thick trees on the left. We probably spent a good five minutes just watching this magnificent animal. For Justin, seeing this impressive male moose was the perfect culmination, making our two-and-a-half hours in the park feel complete.
As a National Park enthusiast, I feel a pang of regret that I didn’t prioritize Denali more on this trip. Hindsight is 20/20, and while I heard mixed reviews about the long bus tours and wanted to avoid “tour fatigue” after the Arctic Circle excursion, I now realize I missed out on deeper exploration. If I had to plan this trip differently, I probably would have dedicated more time to Denali and cutting out the very long Arctic Circle drive.