Spring
Road crews begin plowing the park road in March, weather permitting. Private vehicle access is permitted, once the road is open, until May 19.
Peak Season
Shuttle bus service usually operates from May 20 to mid-September. This is usually the only permitted method of vehicle access inside the park during the peak tourist season.
Fall
A four-day road lottery to allow private vehicle access deep inside Denali National Park is offered in September once shuttle service ends. Limited private access remains open after this, for as long as weather and road conditions permit.
Year-round
The Murie Science and Learning Center is open year-round, acting as the visitor center during spring and winter when the Denali Visitor Center is closed.
Camping Season
Backcountry permits for foot travel and camping are available from mid-May to mid-September. Winter camping is possible, but requires direct contact with Park Headquarters at 907-683-2294.
Article Written By Marie Mulrooney
Marie Mulrooney has written professionally since 2001. Her diverse background includes numerous outdoor pursuits, personal training and linguistics. She studied mathematics and contributes regularly to various online publications. Mulrooney's print publication credits include national magazines, poetry awards and long-lived columns about local outdoor adventures.
