For nature lovers, Denali National Park and Preserve is a must-see. It is such a huge and beautiful place that feels more wild and preserved than other national parks I’ve been to (which, admittedly, aren’t many). It was relatively busy, July being peak tourist season in Alaska, but when the bus dropped us off along the road within the park, we felt like it was just us in the whole world.

If you’re planning a short trip to Denali National Park in the next year, here is my experience and recommendations on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat. And if you can wait a little longer, the park may become more accessible by 2026, but check here for current conditions.

Lodging

Backwoods Lodge (Cantwell)

Tucked away from the road and about 30 minutes away from Denali National Park is Backwoods Lodge where we first stayed after driving up from Anchorage. It was the cutest and cleanest lodge I’ve stayed in, and I loved how everything was bear-themed, from the mugs to the framed outlets. They also had a standard mini fridge, microwave, coffee pot and kettle, cutlery, recyclable plates, and napkins for late night meals.

It’s a little pricier and farther away from the park, but we had a great experience overall here.

White Moose Lodge (Healy)

White Moose Lodge was much closer and in a convenient location to stores, food, and the park. The drawback was it was a lot more rundown, but for the four of us it was worth the cheaper price. It was still a nice stay despite its rundown appearance and feel, but we did miss having a microwave for the late-night snacks.

Exploring the Park

East Fork Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

This is the only bus currently with the road closures where you don’t have to pay extra for a tour. It goes as far as Mile 43 and then makes a loop. Since you can’t drive past Mile 15 in your own car, this is the best way to see Denali and get dropped off at any hiking or camping spot.

Our bus driver was friendly and stopped any time someone spotted wildlife or wanted pictures. The ride was around 4.5 hours roundtrip with 3 bathroom stops on the way, so make sure to pack enough food, snacks, and water!

River Rafting

One of the highlights of this trip for me was white water rafting down the Nenana River. We went with Denali Raft Adventures and did the Canyon Whitewater Run, which was 11 miles of Class III and IV rapids. It was my first time paddling and I had a blast seeing Denali from a different view.

This company provided drysuits, so when we got to smooth waters at the end, our guide invited us to jump in for fun. Only my friend and I were crazy enough to take him up on that! The glacier water was chilly, but the drysuits made it much more bearable and kept me at least halfway dry. Overall, an adventure I’d highly recommend! Pro tip: bring waterproof gloves to keep your hands warm and dry.

Sled Dog Demonstration

When in Alaska, you have to learn more about sled dogs! The designated shuttle took us to the kennels located about 3 miles in the park. We got to pet some cute dogs, learn about the history of dog mushing in the area, and view a brief sled dog demonstration.

Something fascinating I learned from this demo was that dogs are used in Denali National Park because they can’t use motorized vehicles on protected land. Therefore, the rangers use sled dogs to protect the wilderness of the area and transport supplies as needed during the winter.

Horseshoe Lake Trail

This was a gorgeous and easy hike and great for all ages because of the dirt and gravel pathways. We went off trail a few times to explore our surroundings and took lots of pictures at the lake, with trees, around trees, by the river, etc. There was a steep section towards the end of the loop that we were not fans of (as non-hikers), but it was all very doable and worth the views.

Also, keep an eye out for beaver dams! We didn’t get to see much wildlife during this hike (except lots of Arctic ground squirrels), but it was pretty cool for us city folk to see an actual beaver dam in person.

Savage River Loop Trail

This trail is at Mile 15, so you can get here in your own car or take the convenient shuttle. It’s a very easy and short loop trail, but again allows room for more off-trail hiking if you’re interested in roaming the hills.

Everywhere in Denali is so beautiful I can’t even begin to describe the feeling of being on top of a hill and seeing the surrounding area, but it made me want to keep walking and exploring. If you’re more of an explorer than a hiker like me, this could be a fun one to check out or finish the day with if you want an easier walkabout.

Eats

Food–can’t forget about food. I have never been disappointed by restaurants in Alaska. I don’t know if it’s because they use fresh ingredients, they’re locally-owned and take more pride in their quality, or everything tastes good in a beautiful place, but in any case, these were my favorite places we ate in the area around Denali.

Denali Wild Crepes

We came here for breakfast on our first day, and their crepes were pretty good for a decent price. They offer both sweet and savory options and have a store attached if you’re looking for souvenirs as well. I especially liked their coffee options, including Turkish coffee for those who like it extra strong!

The Black Bear

We liked this place so much we got food here twice: once for breakfast and coffee and once for lunch. I liked their bowls a lot, and their pastries were perfection. Definitely worth stopping by at least once, although it gets quite busy during peak dining hours.

Healy Best Asian Food To Go

This was a surprising find when we were craving Chinese food. It’s a little building, like many of the independently-owned shops in the area, and only one person was working inside. They had a long menu with lots of different options, and the food was so tasty and fresh. It really hit the spot, and I’d highly recommend checking it out if you have a hankering for Chinese food in Denali!

The Alaskan Coffee Bean

This was the result of another quick Google search. Also in a little building smack in the middle of an empty lot, it looks bigger inside and serves really delicious coffee and bagels. They sell their own beans as well as a birch honey hot sauce that was delicious and spicy. I was very sad the bottle was too big for me to fit into my carry-on. You can also find cute trinkets that are more unique than the typical magnets or Alaska-labeled gear.

49th State Brewing

Okay, this is a chain, but their beers are top-notch. After a long day of hiking and exploring, settling here for a beer and a plate of fish and chips was just what the doctor ordered. The decor also felt so “Alaska” with its antler chandeliers and birch-covered back wall. To top it off, instead of playing sports on their TVs like a typical brewery, they played ongoing clips of wilderness exploration. How much more Alaskan can you get?

Reflections

We explored only a tiny bit of the vast wild landscape of Denali (and didn’t even see anything close to the peak of the mountain), but spending about 3 days there felt like a good amount for me. I realized that, while I love exploring nature and climbing rocks, I’m a “enjoys easy walks in the chaotic outdoors” kinda gal; a girl who is mildly outdoorsy and cautiously adventurous.

This is my third trip to Alaska now, and what always makes my trips here so fun are the friendly locals, expats, and tourists I meet along the way. That said, my next Alaskan dream is camping deep in the national park, but there’s so much more of Alaska (and the world!) to see only time will tell where I’ll go next.

Final Checklist: