Mount McKinley National Park was established in 1917 to protect the unique and sensitive wildlife that inhabit the area. In 1980 the park boundaries were expanded, more than tripling its size to include the winter grounds of the native Denali caribou and Mt. McKinley, the highest point in North America at 20,320 feet. This expansion led to the renaming of the park, creating Denali National Park and Preserve, as we know it today.
Mt. McKinley is more commonly known to Alaskan Natives and locals as Denali – or less formally, “The Mountain.” The name comes from the Native Athabascans of Interior Alaska and translates to “The Great One.” With Denali’s high peaks and dramatic vertical rise, the weather surrounding the peaks can change quickly. Clouds may hide Denali from view, making North America’s highest point a treasured prize on your Alaskan adventure.
The abundance of untamed wilderness and unique wildlife make Denali one of the greatest natural places in the world. Here, you’ll have a chance to see grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, foxes, and wolves. Many smaller animals also inhabit the park, such as arctic ground squirrels, hoary marmots, pikas, and snowshoe hares. With over 150 species of birds including arctic tern, American golden plover, arctic warbler, willow, ptarmigan, and golden eagles, Denali is a bird-watcher’s paradise.
Park Entrance Fee
The Denali National Park & Preserve entrance fee is $10.00 per adult (16 and over), children are free (15 and under), or $20.00 per vehicle. This fee provides the visitor a 7-day entrance permit. The entrance fee is collected when you purchase a bus ticket or campground stay. If you have not booked a bus ticket or campground stay, please pay your entrance fee at the Denali Visitor Center when you arrive.