Denali National Park

Denali National Park was established in 1917 (as Mount McKinley National Park) to protect wildlife in the wake of a gold rush to the area. (Photograph by Katie Thoresen, NPS/Flickr). Summer is the best time to visit my park because the park’s sole 91-mile road is open for business. My park’s biggest attraction is Mount McKinley (the native Athabaskan name for the mountain is Denali), but a visit isn’t complete without seeing wildlife of all sorts—bears, golden eagles, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, gray wolves, and maybe even a hoary marmot.

If I could offer one practical tip for optimizing your visit, it would be get off the bus and take a hike. Only the first 15 miles of the park road are open to visitors; access the remaining stretch by shuttle bus (a hop-on, hop-off experience) or tour bus (which includes food and is operated by a driver-naturalist who provides narration).

My favorite “park secret” is not really a secret, but there are few established trails in this vast park. That means you can take your adventure just about anywhere. Some visitors even succeed at summiting Mount McKinley itself!

Watch out for bears and be sure to bring insect repellant and bear deterrent spray if you plan to hike when you come to the park.

Head to Polychrome Pass if you want to see wildlife. If you’re really lucky, you’ll spot a Pika.

For the best view, head to Stony Hill.

The whole Denali Park Road is the most scenic drive, owing to the fact that it’s the only scenic drive!

If you’re up for a physical challenge, try biking the park road.

Wonder Lake campground is the best place to stay while you’re visiting.

If you only have one day to spend in the park, make sure to hit the Savage Alpine trail, a sled dog demonstration, the Murie Science and Learning Center, and Denali Visitors Center.