Current Conditions

Alerts

 

On This Page:

• COVID-19 Notice
• Winter 2022-23
• Summer 2023
• Park Road Conditions

Some park operations are currently altered due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide. The closure of the Denali Park Road at Mile 43 is expected to remain in place through summer 2024, while the Polychrome Area Plan is implemented.

The details below supersede all other trip-planning information. If you encounter discrepancies between other parts of our website and this information, go with what you see below.

 

COVID-19 Notice

The National Park Service follows CDC guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Thank you for helping to keep yourself and others safe and healthy.

Mask requirements are based on the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels for the Denali Borough and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

Current COVID-19 community level for the Denali Borough (Denali Visitor Center, Kennels, Park Road, etc) : LOW
Current COVID-19 community level for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station) : LOW

HIGH: masks are required for all people indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
MEDIUM and LOW: masks are optional.

• Practice physical distancing by maintaining at least 6 feet (2 m) of distance between you and others.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• If you feel sick, please do not visit the park.

 

Winter 2022–2023

Facilities and services in the park are limited during the winter season (mid-September to mid-May).

Visitor Center and Other Facilities

• The Winter Visitor Center is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, except for major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day).
• A small selection of gifts and souvenirs is available for sale inside the Winter Visitor Center through our non-profit partner, Alaska Geographic.
• The Sled Dog Kennels are open on Saturdays and Sundays only, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Stop by to meet the dogs (if they aren't out on the trail), talk with a ranger, and learn about mushing.
• Backcountry permits are issued at the visitor center.

Ranger Programs

Most ranger-led programs are only offered in the summer. Short ranger chats or walks may be offered at the Winter Visitor Center. Topics and times vary, ask at the visitor center for details.

Check the calendar and ask a ranger at the visitor center to learn about other programs and special events.

Campgrounds

Riley Creek Campground is open for free winter camping on a first-come, first-serve basis. Toilets are available, but no running water, electric hookups, or other services are provided. All other campgrounds are closed for the winter season.

Entrance Fees and Passes

Entrance fees to Denali are required. You may pay your park entrance fees online or in person upon arrival to the entrance area of the park (credit cards only, no cash). You must be able to show a park pass or proof of online purchase (on a mobile device or printed receipt) if asked by a park ranger. Discounted or free annual and lifetime passes are also available to select groups; learn more about fees and passes in Denali.

 

Summer 2023

The summer season begins on May 15 each year. Summer 2023 (through 2024) operations will be affected by the ongoing Pretty Rocks Landslide and the associated closure of the Denali Park Road at Mile 43. To learn more about plans to address the landslide, see the Polychrome Area Plan.

Below, the primary changes to summer operations are highlighted. Most other visitor center facilities and services in the park will operate as normal. More details will be added as the summer season approaches.

• Transit buses and tour buses will travel no further than the East Fork Bridge (Mile 43 of the Denali Park Road).
• Eielson Visitor Center is closed.
• Igloo Campground and Wonder Lake Campground are closed. All other campgrounds are open.
• Sanctuary Campground has returned to taking walk-up registrations only. No reservations for this campground are available.

Note that bus and campground reservations can be made as early as December 1, for the following summer.

 

Conditions on the Denali Park Road

The map below illustrates which parts of the park road are open to private vehicles (thick green line), open to bus traffic (thin black line, summer only), or closed (thin red line). Icons also indicate which park campgrounds are open.

Other red areas on the map show wildlife closures, which are closed to all entry due to nesting or denning activity or sites where a bear or wolf is feeding on a carcass. Temporary wildlife closures (lasting less than 24 hours) may also be in place and not appear on the map; always check at the visitor center upon arrival for the latest information before hiking.