Restaurants & Grocery StoresIn summer, there are numerous restaurants outside of the park, along Highway 3. The main summer season runs from June through August. Businesses open at different times each year, so prepare for limited services if you visit in May or September. Located next to the Denali Visitor Center, the Morino Grill is the only sit-down restaurant in the park. Snacks can be purchased at the Wilderness Access Center and snacks, sandwiches and camping food can be purchased at the Mercantile in Riley Creek Campground. In fall, winter and spring (roughly mid-September to mid-May), the nearest restaurants and convenience stores are in Healy, 11 miles to the north. Picnic AreasNear the park entranceThe Riley Creek Day-Use Area has several covered shelters with picnic tables. Located next to Riley Creek, the area is easy to reach but feels remote. (Safety note: Riley Creek, though shallow, is very swift and caution should be used if you walk along the creek). Access:
Farther in the parkThere are picnic tables at Mountain Vista and Savage River, miles 13.5 and 15, respectively. These areas are very pretty, with great views of the Alaska Range. Both can be pretty windy, however, so plan accordingly. Access: You can reach Mountain Vista or Savage River by driving yourself (spring, summer or fall) or by riding a free bus called the Savage River Shuttle (summer season only). The road to this area is not plowed in winter (roughly October through late February). LodgingUnlike some parks, there are no National Park Service-run accommodations in Denali. There are a handful of privately owned and operated lodges in the park, as well as a wide range of accommodations outside of the park. Most area businesses are open in summer only (roughly mid-May through mid-September), though some businesses nearby stay open year-round. Learn more about lodging in and around Denali. Note: Some lodges offer transportation for their guests, to and from the Denali Visitor Center. Be sure to ask about this if you will be traveling without a car, as public transportation in the area is extremely limited. CampgroundsWith six different campgrounds, there are plenty of options for you to camp in Denali with a tent or RV. CampingDenali has six campgrounds, three of which are open to tent or vehicle camping (RVs, etc) and three of which can only be used by tent campers. Most are open May 20—mid-September, though Riley Creek is open year-round. Open
 Riley Creek is a fairly wooded campground, with some screening between sites whenever possible. Most of the campground sites are open to either tent campers or vehicles / RVs. The proximity of Highway 3 means there is occasional traffic noise, but also means campers have all the conveniences and amenities of the park entrance area, and businesses outside the park, close at hand. Trails leading from the campground connect to the Denali Visitor Center, which is the central hub of trails in the entrance area.
TOTAL SITES: 142 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 20 Walk to/Boat to: 20 Group: 1 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Closed
 Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Savage River campground is located at Mile 13 on the Denali Park Road. It sits in a spruce forest, with moderate screening between sites. On clear days, Mount McKinley can be seen from a short walk below the campground.
TOTAL SITES: 32 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 0 Walk to/Boat to: 0 Group: 3 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Closed
 Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Sanctuary River is a heavily wooded campground, with screening between most sites. The immediate area is brushy, but nearby mountains offer chances to hike directly from the campground and gain elevation, with views of Mount McKinley to the south possible on clear days, after some strenuous up-hill hiking.
Sanctuary is tent-only—you will not find any RVs or other vehicles in this campground. It is accessible only by camper bus. TOTAL SITES: 7 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 7 Walk to/Boat to: 0 Group: 0 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Closed
 Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Though nearly all private vehicles must turn around at mile 15, Savage River, Tek campers are an exception to that rule. If you wish, you may drive your vehicle / RV to Tek. The trade-off is that you must make, at minimum, a three-night stay, and your vehicle must stay in your campsite for the duration of your stay, while you use transit buses to sightsee. Tent campers using the park bus system to reach Tek are not subject to the 3-night minimum stay.
TOTAL SITES: 53 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 0 Walk to/Boat to: 0 Group: 0 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Closed
 The campground is at mile 35 on the Park Road. It offers 7 sites, making it the smallest in Denali (along with Sanctuary River Campground, which also has 7 sites).
Igloo is tent-only—you will not find any RVs or other vehicles in this campground. It is accessible only by camper bus. The bus stop is a short walk from the campsites (less than 50 yards). TOTAL SITES: 7 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 7 Walk to/Boat to: 0 Group: 0 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Closed
 Wonder Lake Campground is closed until further notice.
Wonder Lake Campground is at mile 85 on the Denali Park Road. It offers 28 tent-only sites. This is the closest campground to Mount McKinley. Though still nearly 26 miles away, the sheer size of the mountain makes it loom impressively over Wonder Lake Campground. Cloudy skies can obscure views, and mosquitoes can be fierce, but clear days offer views that will last a lifetime. Bear-proof food lockers are available throughout the campground. TOTAL SITES: 28 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 28 Walk to/Boat to: 0 Group: 0 Horse: 0 Other: 0 |
Last updated: November 15, 2023