NPS, Wikimedia Commons
Denali National Park is found deep in the unspoiled vastness of Alaska. The park has much to offer, but it is most famous for Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America.
Mount McKinley
Mount McKinley's original Amerindian name is "Denali," hence the name of the park. The mountain is 20,320 feet high.
Climbing Registration
Climbers seeking to challenge Mount McKinley in 2009 needed to pay a $200 fee, in addition to the park admission fee. Registration was required a minimum of 60 days in advance of the climbing attempt.
Park Size
The lone road.
The park covers roughly 9,492 square miles. Despite this enormous space, there is only one paved road in the entire park.
Wildlife
Dall sheep.
The park's most famous animal is the Dall sheep, but there are also both grizzly and black bears, caribou, moose, foxes, wolves and eagles.
Landscape
The low elevations of the park are home to forest and taiga. The middle area is made up of tundra, and glaciers can be found high in the mountains.
Acitivities
Beyond mountain climbing, the park is also popular for camping and hiking. In the winter, dog-sledding, skiing and snowmobiling are all possible.
About The Author
Richard Thomas has been writing since earning his M.A. in international affairs in 1997. A former cheap travel blogger for eHow and senior travel editor for Associated Content, he has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam. Thomas usually writes about boxing, hiking and scuba diving, as well as on the food and wine of his current home of Portugal.
