The Alaska Range

— It is hard to believe it was 2004 when we visited Alaska and had a few days to explore the vast beauty of Denali National Park and Preserve. Today, February 26, the park celebrates its 104th anniversary since it was declared a national park. The park was the first US national park created to conserve wildlife. Other posts I have on this site describe how large this park is. As for the vegetation, it is a mix of forest at the lowest elevations, tundras at mid-elevations, and glaciers, snow, and bare rock at the highest elevations.

The park has a 92-mile (148 km) long road that vehicles can drive at only certain times of the year. The Denali Park Road starts at the George Parks Highway and goes as far as the town of Kantishna. A significant feature of that road is that it runs parallel to the Alaska Range, providing travelers with magnificent views like the photo here. This view is seen from the Eielson Visitor Center at mile 66 (106 km marker). The first 15 miles (24 km) are open to private vehicles. Beyond that point, only tour and shuttle buses are allowed. The road is gravel and has no guardrails. Wildlife constantly crosses the road; when that happens, buses must stop and wait until the road is clear again.

A driver must register for a lottery drawing if private vehicles want to drive beyond the initial 15 miles (24 km). This Denali “road lottery” is a four-day event in September, generally after Labor Day. If a vehicle is chosen, a day-long permit is issued for that car. The driver can then use the road for as long as weather permits. Sometimes, depending on snow, cars can only go about 15 miles (24 km), but in mild years, those lucky winners can reach mile 92 (148 km marker), the end of the park road.