Denali National Park

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.

Take the Alaska Rail Road into the park from Wasilla or, better yet, Seward. You won’t regret it. The sights are unbelievable and the wildlife sightings are fantastic too. Well worth it!

On our last morning in Unit 34, we walked out to the road to catch the bus back to the park entrance. When we stepped over the hill there was a bear munching on the bushes just on the other side! So we had to wait for him to go away.

It is AMAZING! There’s tons of wildlife, too…
Oh, and if you’re there and see a big grizly bear with a scar across its nose, say hello for me… But watch out; it may try to bite your car…

Big, Wild and Beautiful. My main reason for goin to Denali was to see bears. My bear count was 16! That included two bear families and one grungy male that was chasing a caribou! I also saw several caribou. some mountain goats from a distance and a pack of wolves. From other visitors, i was told that my luck in finding wildlife was better than most but others say it wasn’t unusual. My traveling companion, a bird watcher, was indifferent to the bears but was rapturous over seeing an Arctic Tern! I was also lucky to get sunny weather all three days in August and a very nice view of Mt. Denali.

This place is BIG. Watch out for bad weather, that greatly gets in the way. Lots of wildlife but they’re gonna appear like tiny specks at best without binoculars. Bus ride in is cool but be prepared for a mouthful of sand by the time you get back. No food once you’re in the park so pack in those essentials! Do not forget your camera!!!

August is the “rainy season” in Alaska. I spent 22 days in Alaska in August camping outside every night. I believe it rained 18 out of 22 days.