{"id":7302,"date":"2020-05-09T08:54:26","date_gmt":"2020-05-09T12:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventurousretirement.com\/blog\/?p=7302"},"modified":"2020-05-12T14:53:29","modified_gmt":"2020-05-12T18:53:29","slug":"plan-anchorage-denali-national-park-7-night-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventurousretirement.com\/blog\/plan-anchorage-denali-national-park-7-night-itinerary\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plan Anchorage-Denali National Park 7-Night Itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"How<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alaska Trip Itinerary \u2013 7-nights\/8-days<\/u><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may be wondering \u2018what is there to do for 7-nights and 8-days in Alaska?\u2019 So much! This Alaska Trip Plan concentrates on the Anchorage-Denali area, with plenty to do in a 7-night and 8-day itinerary. We have some cherished Denali memories from our 4-days in Denali, one of the best parks in Alaska.\u00a0We believe the best way to visit Alaska is a road trip where you can visit each area in more depth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After spending 10 weeks in Alaska last summer, I can offer the best of our experience and help you consider your itinerary, and this series can be your Alaska trip planner. This post, How To Plan Anchorage-Denali National Park 7-Night Itinerary, is a second itinerary in a series on Alaska. My last itinerary post was Anchorage to the Alaska Kenai-Peninsula<\/a>. It started in and returned to Anchorage, so we head to Denali and back to Anchorage in this itinerary.\u00a0 (Denali north to Fairbanks will be a separate Itinerary).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

While this is an Anchorage to Denali 7-night\/ 8-day itinerary, we only spent 4 days in Denali National Park, and missed things that are included in this 7-night itinerary. We were in Denali in June, and believe it is the best month to go to Alaska since it\u2019s not as hot as in July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Denali-Wendy&Tom\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Plan Anchorage to Denali<\/u><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The distance from Anchorage to Denali National Park is about 240 miles. In your Plan Anchorage-Denali National Park 7-Night itinerary, gas up in Anchorage or Wasilla, and stock up on groceries too. If you are staying in a hotel, you may still want snacks and food for picnic lunches. You\u2019ll find your best prices and choices in the Anchorage or Wasilla areas before heading north.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are great stops to make along the way, and these are what we missed, and I included them in this itinerary. I recommend a stop on the way north and another on the southbound trip. If going on to Fairbanks, do both stops on the way to Denali National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop between Anchorage and Denali<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A wonderful place to spend time is Denali State Park. Halfway to Denali National Park, at 2.5-hours or about 100 miles north of Anchorage is Denali State Park in Trapper Creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop 1 – Denali State Park<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Denali State Park<\/a> \u2013 2 nights – Day 1 and 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s camping, excellent hiking, lots of wildlife, and some of the best views of Mount Denali. Wildlife sightings can include brown and black bear, moose, marmots, beavers, fox, porcupines, and more. There are rivers, a lake, and creeks for fishing in Denali State Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find everything from roadside camping, camping in the park, and a vast wilderness to explore. The views are stunning, as the park is between 2 impressive mountain ranges, the Talkeetna Mountains and the Alaska Range. Be sure to stop at the visitor contact station to learn about how to stay safe in this wilderness. If you plan to hike, be sure to have bear spray and know how to use it properly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are beautiful day and multi-day hikes in Denali State Park, like the Kesugi Ridge, where you can catch views of Mount Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, called \u2018The Great One\u2019 by Native Americans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

K\u2019Esugi Ken Visitor and Interpretive Center<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Worth a visit is the K\u2019Esugi Ken Visitor and Interpretive Center, and there is a campground there as well. The facility has interpretive exhibits, best views in the state, electric hook-ups in the RV Park inside the park. There are hiking trails from the campground where you can see the mountain views or go to the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are sorry that we did not have time to spend at Denali State Park, but we will next time. I recommend at least 2 nights here, and if you have time for more, stay longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check and fill your fuel and propane before leaving Trapper Creek. From Trapper Creek drive the approximately 2 hours to Denali National Park Visitor Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Should I spend in Denali National Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Plan<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This Park is Alaska-sized; it is HUGE!  By overnighting inside the Park, you can save hours of travel time each day. From the Denali Bus Depot near the Park entrance to the Eielson Visitor Center is an 8-hour round trip. Plan to stay inside the Park for at least 3 nights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recommend splitting at least 4-nights between the village and staying deeper in Denali National Park<\/a>, unless you have longer than a week for exploring the Denali area. If so, camp inside the park for as long as you can live off the grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overnights and campground information. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To plan your Anchorage-Denali National Park 7-Night itinerary, on your first night, you can stay (if you have secured a campsite in advance) at Riley Creek, which is in the Park just before the Visitor Center. Riley Creek is the only campground in the park with utility hook-ups. Otherwise, there are private campgrounds near the village with hook-ups. We stayed in Denali RV Park and Motel just north of the village for the first night; it is a nice place. We liked being outside of the village and away from the summer crowds. There are hotels, and BnBs in the village too; some hotels run tours into the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy the camper bus (Denali Shuttle Bus) ticket before entering the park, and pick up a bus schedule; Denali Camper Shuttle Bus tickets are good from the date for which you purchase them until the day you check out of your campsite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If camping in the park starting the following day, get all of your camping paperwork and passes completed the day prior. Then you can head into the park as soon as the rangers allow. The rangers at the Visitor Center will explain where to go to sign-in for campgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop 2 – Day 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Plan<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At Denali National Park Visitor Center<\/a>, explore the many exhibits, talk to rangers about the best hiking choices to meet your interest and fitness level. Be sure to meet the sled dogs and watch the demonstration on your first day at Denali National Park. There are also some short hikes from the Denali Visitor Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, on Day 3 be sure to check out McKinley Village near the entrance road to Denali National Park. Some of the galleries, photographers, and artists are fabulous! Have a meal in the village; there are plenty of choices in all price ranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you have time and money to do a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the visibility is good, there\u2019s nothing more beautiful than a flightsee of Denali<\/a>. A small plane or helicopter tour is the most breathtaking way to see Denali. Of all the flightsee\u2019s I have done, it was the most awe-inspiring. Our pilot was a fantastic guide, describing the history, terrain, climbers, other mountains, and glaciers as we passed them.\u00a0The Denali flightsee ranks as top experience in our 10-week trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day – 4 \u2013 Head into the park. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If staying at the furthest point in the park, enjoy the scenery on the long 89-100-mile trip from the Bus Depot to Camp Denali, the North Face or Skyline Lodges, or Kantnisha Roadhouse (almost 100 miles inside the park). Once settled, ask the concierge for the best way to see the park during your stay. Some bus tours are run from here, and you may want to secure those in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n