Current Conditions

Alerts

 

Learn and Explore

Many park operations (e.g. visitor centers, campgrounds, bus trips, and other facilities and activities) are currently altered, due to both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Pretty Rocks Landslide. Some facilities may be closed to the public, while others will have adjusted hours and seasons.

The details below apply to trip planners in 2021 and 2022 and 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.

On This Page:

• Winter 2021–2022
• Summer 2022
• Park Road Conditions

 

Winter 2021–2022

Visitor Centers & Other Facilities

• The Murie Science and Learning Center normally serves as the park's winter visitor center when the Denali Visitor Center closes. When local COVID transmission rates are low in winter 2021–22, it will be staffed daily.
  
  From September 27 to late winter, regardless of COVID transmission rates, the unstaffed Indoor Picnic Area is unlocked daily for visitors to use restrooms and warm up indoors from 9:30 am to 5 pm. It is adjacent to the Murie Center.

• You may obtain a free backcountry permit via email at least 24 hours in advance, but no more than 14 days in advance of the beginning of your trip. Learn more about how to get a backcountry permit October 1, 2021–April 14, 2022.
• The Denali Sled Dog Kennels (Mile 3.4 of the Denali Park Road) are open on Saturdays and Sundays only, from 1 pm to 4 pm, throughout the winter.
• Masks are required for all people, regardless of vaccination status, when entering a federal facility.

Entrance Fees & Passes

Entrance fees to Denali are required. Visitors can learn about fees & passes in Denali and pay their park entrance fees online in advance, or upon arrival to the entrance area of the park. The Denali Annual Pass is also available for purchase online. 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.

Campgrounds

As in normal winters, Riley Creek Campground is the only established campground open in Denali.

Campers are asked to do their part in maintaining social distancing. Bring all supplies for adequate sanitation. It is the responsibility of each camper to understand current Alaska State Health Mandates and their applicability to visitors' camping experience.

 

Summer 2022

In addition to changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, summer 2022 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 potential solutions and plans to address the landslide, see the Polychrome Area Plan.

Known operations for summer 2022 are described below. Details will be added over the winter as additional information becomes available.

Visitor Centers & Other Facilities

• Denali Visitor Center: Rangers will be available daily to help answer questions and collect entrance fees. The interior of the building will be open only when local COVID-19 transmission levels are low, as determined by the Alaska Department of Health & Human Services.

• Backcountry Permits: Through April 14, 2022, backpacking permits are being issued no more than two weeks in advance through an email reservation system. Prior to 2020, all permits were issued in-person only, no more than one day before your trip, and no advance reservations were available. This process may return in the future. Updated information for summer 2022 will be shared when it is available.

• Eielson Visitor Center: closed in 2022
• Other facilities in the park entrance area, such as the Denali Bus Depot, Riley Creek Mercantile, and Alaska Geographic Park Store, will be open.

Buses

Transit buses and tour buses will travel as far as the East Fork Bridge (Mile 43). Advance reservations for buses are strongly recommended; they can be made as early as December 1, for the following summer.

Free shuttles that operate in the first 15 miles (Riley Creek Loop Shuttle and Savage River Shuttle) will be offered in 2022 as well.

Campgrounds

Igloo Creek Campground and Wonder Lake Campground will be closed in 2022. All other campgrounds will be open. Advance reservations for all campgrounds are strongly recommended; they can be made as early as December 1, for the following summer.

Campers are asked to do their part in maintaining social distancing. Bring all supplies for adequate sanitation. It is the responsibility of each camper to understand current Alaska State Health Mandates and their applicability to visitors' camping experience.

Road Lottery

The 2022 Road Lottery and Military Appreciation Day are cancelled.

 

Conditions on the Denali Park Road

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