History
The National Park Service protected portions of this landscape as a game refuge in 1917 named Mount McKinley National Park. The area acquired its current acreage and title in 1980.
Geography
Glaciers created the topography of the Alaska Range, which runs for 600 miles. Denali National Park and Preserve contains glaciers, and hundreds of ponds and lakes created by their melting.
Environment
Denali contains 650 species of flowering plants, as well as mosses, lichens, fungi, and algae suited to its sub-alpine environment. Wildlife includes 39 species of mammals and 167 bird species.
Activities
Denali National Park restricts private cars. Take shuttle buses for the freedom to hop off and hike. Tour buses stick to a planned agenda, but offer more interpretation.
Adventures
Denali is a strenuous, technical 32-mile round-trip climb with an elevation gain between 14,000 and 20,000 feet. Climbs take between 14 and 28 days. The park requires a permit and fee.
Article Written By Kelly Aspen
Kelly Aspen's writing focuses on natural places, cultural sites and wildlife. She has nine years of experience as an editor and writer for magazines, books and websites, including Trails.com, Travels.com and Weekendnotes.com. She attended Vassar College and now lives in the mountains of Colorado.
