Denali National Park & Preserve — Live Alerts, Weather & Trip Planning
Located in AK.
Bus-only interior access, short summer windows, and wildlife viewing define visits.
Denali is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelers along it see the relatively low-elevation taiga forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America's tallest peak, 20,310' Mount McKinley. Wild animals large and small roam un-fenced lands, living…
Use this page to check live NPS alerts, weather, things to do, events, fees, campgrounds, and build a day-by-day itinerary with Trailie.
Bus-only interior access, short summer windows, and wildlife viewing define visits.
Denali is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelers along it see the relatively low-elevation taiga forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America's tallest peak, 20,310' Mount McKinley. Wild animals large and small roam un-fenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await.
Weather Information
Spring
is a short season in April / May, with highs above freezing.
Summer
is typically cool and wet, with highs typically in the upper 50s to low 60s, and lows in the 40s.
Fall
colors emerge on the alpine tundra in August and in the low valleys in early September.
Winter
generally starts in mid-September, with temps often getting down to -40 by January.
On occasion, summer highs reach the low 80s, though this is rare. Snow can fall any month of the year, so be prepared for chilly weather even in summer.
Entrance Fees
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00
Denali charges an entrance fee year-round. Youth age 15 or younger are free. For people age 16 or older, the $15 entrance fee provides a 7-day entrance permit. Be prepared to show your receipt or pass (digital or physical) if requested by park staff.
Operating Hours
All Park Hours
Denali is open 24-hours a day, although services are limited after-hours (generally after 4 pm in winter or 6 pm in summer). There is no gate at the park entrance. Please note that camping is only possible either in designated campgrounds (with a valid reservation) or in the rest of the park with a free backpacking permit.
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Entrance Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00
The Denali Annual Pass covers up to four adults. You may purchase it online or in person at the park.
Common questions
Planning Denali
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 1 reservation type on the Permits tab, including Denali National Park - Road Lottery. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.