Visiting Denali (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Lakes: appointed, rent, buses)

[EastCB]

Am planning to fly to Anchorage and rent a car and drive to Denali. What would be a good time of year to do that? Would mid-May be too early? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[heathen]

Denali will be far from its best in mid May. Things are barely starting to grow even in Anchorage and Fairbanks at that time, and the mountainous areas will still be brown and soggy, with quite a bit of snow. I don't think the park gets the road plowed, and starts running buses until Memorial Day Weekend. Mid June through early September is prime time to visit Denali.

Whatever you do, DON'T just drive to the park entrance (we call it Glitter Gulch). You've got to get on the park service buses and go all the way out on that bumpy road to Wonder Lake, or at least as far as Eielson Visitor Center, if you're going to the trouble of coming at all. Also, if you can spare the $250, a flightseeing trip around Denali from the town of Talkeetna will likely be the highlight of your trip.

[bongo]

Shuttle bus services start in Denali on May 20th. Then shuttle buses only go to Tolkat river. It seems it's around June 1 then the shuttles go to Eielson visitor center & then June 8 the shuttles go Wonder Lake. Shuttle service ends around Sept. 12 depending on the year.

Check here for the exact dates:
Denali National Park & Preserve - Denali National Park & Preserve

[AKStafford]

I'd suggest some research at the Trip Advisor forums for Alaska. You'll find a ton of information there: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g28923-i349-Alaska.html
The dates bongo gave you above are the biggest thing about traveling to Denali before June. Some people prefer to do Denali in late August/early September for the fall colors.
If you are renting a car (a good move) then you have the flexibility to stay in Healy, ten miles to the north of the park entrance.

[graffix]

Why not drive to the park entrance? Is there plenty of places to park your car there to get on a shuttle? Ill probably be going there mid June

[AKStafford]

Originally Posted by graffix

Why not drive to the park entrance? Is there plenty of places to park your car there to get on a shuttle? Ill probably be going there mid June

I think what he was saying was to not JUST drive to the park entrance, but be sure and do the shuttle bus into the park.

[heathen]

Originally Posted by graffix

Why not drive to the park entrance? Is there plenty of places to park your car there to get on a shuttle? Ill probably be going there mid June

Yeah sorry, should have been more clear. Posting before coffee... Yes, the park entrance area is where you park and get on the shuttle buses. I was referring to the travelers who don't do their research, and don't realize the time commitment to see the park properly (AT LEAST a very long day on the bus). A few people just go to the park entrance, walk some nature trails, maybe go on a short bus ride to Toklat, and leave disappointed.

[Data1000]

Originally Posted by EastCB

Am planning to fly to Anchorage and rent a car and drive to Denali. What would be a good time of year to do that? Would mid-May be too early? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

In summer 2011, I had a fantastic trip to various places around Anchorage and Seward. However, Denali was the only place that I was not impressed with. I took the long afternoon-evening shuttle that takes us to a vantage point to see Mt. McKinley (which was still quite far away and most cloud covered). We did see a grizzly bear at a distance, but the scenery is very dry during mid summer. My parents, brother-in-law, and another couple I know have all told me that they also would probably skip Denali after visiting.

It's not a bad place, but with so many wonderful options in Alaska, I'd ask other travelers their opinions before deciding on Denali.

[heathen]

Originally Posted by Data1000

Denali was the only place that I was not impressed with. I took the long afternoon-evening shuttle that takes us to a vantage point to see Mt. McKinley (which was still quite far away and most cloud covered). and another couple I know have all told me that they also would probably skip Denali after visiting.

It's not a bad place, but with so many wonderful options in Alaska, I'd ask other travelers their opinions before deciding on Denali.

This is a common sentiment from people who have visited and from locals as well (myself included). The one thing the park road offers that is exceptional is the wildlife viewing. Seeing nothing more than a grizzly in the distance is somewhat rare, though these things can never be guaranteed of course.

Personally, I'd rather hang out in Talkeetna for a day or three to hopefully see the mountain, go on a flightseeing trip, and enjoy a fun, backwoods town. To experience the Alaska Range tundra wilderness without the crowds in the national park, one can drive the easternmost section of the Denali Highway to Tangle Lakes. This section is paved, and 20 miles off the Richardson Highway at Paxson. No views of Denali itself, but the big white peaks of the Eastern Alaska Range make pretty good stand ins.

[Dakster]

I guess I saw Denali on a good day. It was clear - very clear out. We drove as far as we could to the Ranger station where the road becomes buses only. Had a great lunch, saw a heard of Caribou. We walked a bunch of trails up to that point and around the park visitor center. We didn't have enough time to do a long bus ride and none of us were really into sitting in a bus for along time.

What I did find interesting, is that the State Park had better views of Denali, than the National Park did. We found the scenery unbelievably beautiful. I don't know how you could go almost anywhere in Alaska and not be in awe. So maybe we just don't know what we missed.

FWIW, we were there in July.

Since, it was mentioned, we drove down from Chicken. I found that a neat drive as well. Chicken was unique as well. (and in a good way).

BTW - We choose to see as much as we could in the limited amount of time we had.