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Top Day Tours  » Alaska Highway Drives  » Other Drives: To Nearby Destinations  »  Denali
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The incomparably beautiful Denali is the

pinnacle of many travelers' Alaskan visits. Find

The park holds six million acres of lakes,

tundra, peaks, and wildlife dominated by
North America's highest peak and
interrupted by a single 90-mile road.
It's a good five-hour drive up to the park,
Safe Driving on Alaska's Highways
and you'll find a number of scenic highlights
and activities along the way-here are a few
of our favorites:
Alaska Highway Photos
 
 
 
 

Alaska Highway Videos

Eagle River Nature Center (Mile 13.4)

Just 30 minutes out of town, you'll come to the dramatic Eagle
River Valley and the nature center, the gateway to Chugach State
Park. Pick the brains of the rangers for activities; perhaps you'll hike
a section of the Iditarod Trail and hark back to the days when the
trail was used as a mail route. Albert Loop Trail meanders three Anchorage Alaska Map
miles through prime beaver-watching territory and serves up great
peak views.
Details
907-694-2108
Exit at mile 13.4 and take Old Glenn Highway, follow signs to
mile 12.5 Eagle River Rd.

32 min from downtown 27 miles one-way

Thunderbird Falls (Mile 25.2)

Walk through the mossy forest of birch trees about one mile; you're
soon surrounded by ferns, and then at the viewing platform, where
you can watch the thunderous falls tumble down the rocky cliff face.

31 min from downtown 26 miles one-way

Magnificent Anchorage Central Alaska

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Denali National Park Alaska Drive | ALASKA.ORG Alaska Highway Drives

Drives Map Alaska Map

Eklutna Village Historical Park (Mile 26.5)

Dating back to 1650, the park is the area's oldest continuously
inhabited Athabaskan Indian settlement. Russian Orthodox
missionaries came here in the early 1800s, and you can still see St.
Nicholas Church, the oldest standing building in greater Anchorage.
Snap some pictures of the colorful Spirit Houses build over the
graves of the deceased-a custom that came from the melding of
the cultures. Up for a walk? It'll pay off with a glacier view, as well
as the chance to see foxes, eagles, and black bears.
Details
907-696-2828
Exit at mile 26.5 and take Eklutna Lake Rd.

32 min from downtown 27 miles one-way

Eklutna Lake
On the other side of the highway, a 10-mile road leads to this
secluded lake, a great spot to picnic, hike, or fish. Trails include the
easy 8-mile Lakeside Trail or 6.5-mile Twin Peaks Trail, which
climbs to magnificent views.

44 min from downtown 37 miles one-way

Old Glenn Highway (Mile 29.6)

To explore the road less traveled, take the Old Glenn Highway to
Palmer, a back road that feels like old Alaska. The roadside homes
and farms are rural and private, with space and beauty all around  
them. You'll cross the old Knik River Bridge where you can get out
and hike around, but there tend to be a lot of four-wheelers in the
area.

36 min from downtown 30 miles one-way

Parks Highway Junction (Mile 35.3)

Turn off onto the George Parks Highway, which leads north to
Talkeetna, as well as Denali and Fairbanks. The Glenn Highway
continues east toward Hatcher Pass, Matanuska Glacier, and
McCarthy.

43 min from downtown 36 miles one-way

Wasilla (Mile 42.2)

Wasilla boasts historic buildings and, for dog-mushing fans, the

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Denali National Park Alaska Drive | ALASKA.ORG Alaska Highway Drives

Iditarod Headquarters. You can purchase souvenirs, watch footage

of past races, and take a ride with a veteran musher on a cart
pulled by a sled dog team.
Details
Iditarod HQ: Mile 2.2 Knik Road (south from Wasilla); 907-376-
5155; www.iditarod.com; open daily 8:00am-7:00pm (summer
hours, May15-Sep 18)

52 min from downtown 43 miles one-way

Talkeetna (Mile 98.7-halfway to Denali)

The 15-mile drive down a spur road into Talkeetna is a worthwhile
detour. This authentic pioneer town offers awe-inspiring southern
views of McKinley, gorgeous flightseeing, world-class fishing, and
the staging ground for climbing expeditions. Take in a slice of
Alaska's past-and have a drink-at the historic watering hole, the
Fairview Inn.

2 hr 17 min from downtown 114 miles one-way

Scenic Stops
You'll cross the mighty Susitna River (mile 104.2), get your first
clear view of the Alaska Range (mile 107.6), and drive through
wide open Broad Pass (mile 195).

2-4 hr from downtown 105-195 miles one-way

Denali Highway Junction (Mile 210)

This 135-mile dirt road leads you through the high country to lakes,
lodges, and tons of camping and hiking.

4 hr 13 min from downtown 211 miles one-way to junction

Denali National Park (Mile 237)

Turn west here into the park. You'll find the visitors center, hotels,
and entrance campgrounds within a few miles.

4 hr 45 min from downtown 238 miles one-way

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Magnificent Drives Overview     Classic Day Drives From Anchorage    Other Drives: To Nearby Destinations     Alaska Highway

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Denali National Park Alaska Drive | ALASKA.ORG Alaska Highway Drives

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