Current Conditions

Alerts

 

On This Page:

• Summer 2026
• Fall 2026
• 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 2026, 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.

 

Summer 2026

The summer season begins on May 20 and runs through September 17, 2026. Summer operations are affected by the Pretty Rocks Landslide and the associated closure of the Denali Park Road at mile 43. To learn more about the landslide and bridge construction, see the Polychrome Area Plan.

Changes to summer operations due to the landslide are listed below. Other visitor center facilities and services in the park are not impacted by the landslide.

• Transit buses and tour buses are traveling no further than the East Fork Bridge (mile 43 of the Denali Park Road). The last day that buses will operate for the season is September 17, 2026.
• Eielson Visitor Center is closed.
• Wonder Lake Campground is closed.

Other important links for planning a summer trip:

• Check visitor center hours, Sled Dog Kennels hours, and shuttle schedules before your trip.
• Bus and campground reservations are strongly recommended.
• Ranger programs are offered daily in summer. Check the calendar or ask a ranger at the visitor center to learn about other special events.
• Backcountry permits can be obtained at the Backcountry Information Center, next to the Denali Bus Depot.

Access Past Mile 43

As of August 27, 2026, hikers and cyclists can travel on the park road west of East Fork (mile 43) and across the Pretty Rocks bridge. Buses will continue to travel no further than East Fork for the rest of the 2026 season. Full bus service along the length of the park road will resume in 2027. If you plan to hike or bike west of mile 43 in 2026, planning ahead is critical:

• Expect limited emergency response and prolonged delays. No services are available, prepare to be self-sufficient.
• Check bus schedules ahead of time and avoid waiting for the last bus of the day.
• If you are traveling with bikes, expect long wait times and assume that after 5 pm, there will not be space for bikes on buses departing East Fork. Be prepared to bike the full 43 miles (69 km) back to the park entrance.
• Outhouses are available at East Fork (mile 43.3), Polychrome Overlook (mile 45.9), and Toklat Rest Area (mile 53.5). There are no restrooms available beyond Toklat. Practice Leave No Trave principles; pack out your trash and toilet paper.
• Watch for traffic and heavy equipment while walking and biking on the road. Crews are working on repairs to the park road and deferred maintenance of west district facilities.

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; if you already have a pass, bring it with you. Learn more about fees and passes in Denali.

 

Fall 2026

Beginning September 18, 2026, and weather permitting, the road will open for personal vehicles to drive to Teklanika (mile 30). The road may close at Mountain Vista (mile 13) or Park Headquarters (mile 3) at any time due to winter weather. Read more about planning a fall trip.

The Denali Visitor Center is open daily through Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The Winter Visitor Center will open for the season on Thursday, September 24, 2026. For more details on operating hours, check visitor center hours and Sled Dog Kennels hours before your trip.

Backcountry permits can be obtained at the Backcountry Information Center through September 23 and at the Winter Visitor Center beginning September 24.

 

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.