Denali National Park Shuttle Tour

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Wilderness Access Center
Mile One Park
Denali National Park, AK 99755
800-622-7275
907-272-7275

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Babies

Toddlers & Pre-K

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Pre-Teens & Teens

Denali National Park Shuttle Tour Description

If you have only one day at Denali, take the shuttle to Eielson Visitor Center, with spectacular views of Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range — plus moose, caribou and wolves for the kids to ogle. It's a full day — eight hours roundtrip — but if the kids get antsy you can hop off the shuttle to explore on your own, then hop on the next shuttle that comes by. Once at the Visitor Center, you can hike the surrounding trails, or take a guided walk with National Park Service Rangers.

Kid Tips

Toddlers & Pre-K: Bring a carseat! Alaska state law requires children age 4 and younger to use a car seat. The shuttles do not include them, so you'll need to provide your own.

School-Age Kids: Bring books, snacks, and small travel toys for "downtime" on the shuttle. Children 14 and younger ride free on most shuttles.

Planning Notes

Reservations are recommended but not required. About two-thirds of the shuttle seats are set aside for advanced booking. Don't confuse the "bus" (for overnight campers) with the shuttle (for day tours).

Go early in the day. Kids are much more likely to see wildlife, which are more active in the early morning. You'll also have more time to hop off and on the shuttles as you like for hiking and photos.

See it all. Sit on the left side of the shuttle for the best chances to see scenery and wildlife and bring bug spray, a camera, and binoculars.

Bring food and water. There's no food or water available in the park, so pack accordingly, or buy snacks and boxed lunches at the Wilderness Access Center coffeeshop, where shuttles depart.

Wear layers, rain gear, and waterproof hiking boots. Summer weather is usually cool and damp with average high temperatures in the mid 60s.

Be prepared to cut it short. If the weather is bad or the kids are going bonkers on the bus, you can always go just partway, take a short walk in the wilderness, then hop a return shuttle.

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