Denali National Park

Spent a week here – completely amazing place. I definitely recommend camping inside the park (personally I think the Wonder lake campground is by far the best location) and doing an overnight in the backcountry. One of my best wilderness experiences, for sure!

I worked just outside the park for 3 summers in the late 90s, and the experience was unforgettable. Wildlife, great people from all over, and of course a vast and awe inspiring landscape. I think the best time to go is late August/early September. Northern lights are visible at night (May-July it doesn’t really get dark), the fall foliage colors are comparable to Maine or Northern Minnesota, and by that time the mosquitoes are gone. It is cold by then though, so pack your long underwear! Of course it’s neat to go for the summer solstice, but the black flies and/or mosquitoes will drive you insane even if you use industrial insect repellent. Definitely a place to go for an extended trip, since the weather can be foggy/rainy/crappy for many days at a time & some folks go for a week and don’t see anything! If you’re camping (the best way to truly see Alaska!) beware of bears and other critters and never keep food in your tent!!
I’ll ditto what others have said – find the Denali Foundation! They are wonderful people who know the area well and care about the future of the park.

Miss T became a bit dehydrated the second day. Its odd how you go from a tropical rain forest outside Anchorage to what has to be one of the arid places on the earth.
I’m glad we did the tour but 2 days isn’t enough for this place. You have to plan on going back.

Upon leaving I immediately missed it.

This is a picture I took near Fish Creek

link due to large image

I recommend going all the way out to Wonder Lake, and spending at least one night there. I didn’t do this, but I wish I had!

I lived in Alaska for a year and a half after graduating from college and spent two full summers working in Denali. This place is undescribably awe-inspiring. You cannot possibly realize how small you are, how insignificant, until you set foot in a landscape like this. The mountains, the untouched tundra, the wildlife, the seasons that change in the blink of an eye; all the features of this incredible place put the entirety of life into perspective.