Road Ecology Program

a bus of visitors watches a caribou
For many visitors coming to Denali, a major part of their experience is watching wildlife along the Denali park road. But how the wildlife, visitors, and the Park Road interact is a specialized science called the Denali Road Ecology Program.

NPS Photo / Kent Miller

 
For over seventy years, the Denali Park Road has provided the primary access to Denali National Park and Preserve, facilitating wilderness recreational opportunities and supporting a sense of discovery, adventure, and a connection with nature.The Vehicle Management Plan (2012) is a tool that park managers use to ensure there is a balance between the demand for visitor opportunities to tour the road with the need to ensure that park resources are protected and visitors continue to have a safe, high-quality experience.

Interested in more information? Check out the Science and Scholarship Resources page to find more recommended resources about road ecology and other research topics from the park.
 
 

History & Plans Leading Up to the Road Ecology Program

 
four women standing in front of a bus on a dirt road
History of the Park Road

From the 1920's to the present the Denali Park Road has been an important method of connecting visitors with their National Park.

a bus comes around a mountainside on a winding dirt road
Park Road Capacity Study

A study designed to optimize visitor experiences along the park road while protecting wildlife, & precursor to the Vehicle Management Plan.

two bicyclists ride on a dirt road in the opposite direction of a bus
Vehicle Management Plan

This plan guides decisions about the Denali Park Road. The Road Ecology Program monitors how well the park adheres to the plan.

 

Road Ecology Science Stories

Loading results...
    Tags: road ecology

    Last updated: July 26, 2021

    Park footer

    Contact Info

    Mailing Address:

    PO Box 9
    Denali Park, AK 99755

    Phone:

    907 683-9532
    A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller.

    Contact Us