Transits

Truly Discover your Surroundings

Please review current revised services. 

The Transit is a shuttle bus system, NOT an interpretive tour. Visitors use the Transit to access park facilities and campgrounds, to reach backcountry destinations for hiking, to transport bicycles, and to simply sit back and enjoy Denali’s wildlife and scenery. Having buses transport visitors into Denali National Park & Preserve helps to protect natural resources and reduce traffic congestion. By using the park's bus system, visitors actively support the National Park Service’s mission of preserving and protecting park resources for future generations.

Find Your Shuttle

Toklat River	53 miles one way - 6.5 hours round trip
Eielson Visitor Center	66 miles on way - 8 hours round trip
Wonder Lake	85 miles one way - 11 hours round trip
Kantishna	92 miles on way - 13 hours round trip
Camper Shuttle Bus	Designed for campers who are staying at one of the six Denali National Park & Preserve Campgrounds
Discovery Hike	Exclusively for visitors who have registered for the Discovery Hike

The Transit is designed for visitors who would like to spend time exploring the wilderness of Denali National Park & Preserve on their own, without a tour guide. When safety conditions allow, your Transit driver will be happy to let you off the bus so you can hike, bike, search for wildflowers, take memorable photos, or relax in the tundra and listen to the land. The Transit buses are green to designate them from tour buses for your convenience.

When you would like to return to Denali’s Front Country, proceed to Park Road to safely flag down a Transit bus and enjoy the ride! Please remember that this is a transit system, meant to get visitors from point A to point B and do not include a guided narrative, as our tours do. Also, be aware that weather changes rapidly in Denali National Park & Preserve. Visitors should come prepared by carrying rain gear, an additional layer for warmth, snacks, and plenty of water.

Booking Transit

Transit tickets may be purchased online or onsite at the Denali Bus Depot. 60% of Transit Shuttle seats are available for advance purchase.

Book Online	Valid e-mail address is needed for confirmation purposes.
Book By Phone	Call 800.622.7275 (within the US) or 907.272.7275 (outside the US).
Book In Person	30% of Transit seats are available for walk-in purchase at Denali Bus Depot (within two days of shuttle departure).

NOTE: There is NO food available in the park after leaving Denali Bus Depot. However, there is water available at Eielson Visitor Center.

Boarding Transit

All buses, other than Camper Buses, must be boarded at the Denali Bus Depot.

The Transit is designed to get visitors from point A to point B and is not a narrated tour. While Transit buses often stop for photographs and to view park wildlife and scenery, the Transit system is a scheduled service and drivers are required to stay on schedule. If you are looking for narration and deeper knowledge about the Denali experience, consider one of our Interpretive Tours.

Transit Bus Service operating dates are as follows (weather dependent):

Toklat	May 20 – September 12
Eielson Visitor Center	June 1 – September 12
Wonder Lake and Kantishna	June 8 - September 12

*All services conclude on the second Wednesday after Labor Day

Riding the Transit bus system allows you to enjoy Denali’s vast landscapes and unparalleled beauty while actively looking for wildlife and taking in the view of Denali. Less formal than our tours, you’ll have the freedom to step off the bus to hike, take photos, or simply spend time relaxing in the heart of Denali before re-boarding a later shuttle bus.

Change/Cancellation Policy

There is a $6.50 fee per ticket and per campsite to change or cancel a reservation. You may change or cancel the reservation for transit buses as long as it is at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the departure time, either by calling 866.761.6629 or visiting Denali Bus Depot.

Parking Policy

There is no overnight parking at the Denali Bus Depot. The best parking option is at the Riley Creek Campground overflow lot located next to the Post Office and Caribou Loop.

Smoking & Alcohol Policy

Smoking or consumption of alcoholic beverages is NOT permitted on any transit buses.