Denali Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to visit Denali. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, this is the best tour available right now:

• Denali Nature Hike

You’ll need an entrance pass for Denali National Park and Preserve to visit Denali mountain. The standard entrance fee is US$15, which is valid for a 7-day period, while an annual pass costs US$45. Kids ages 16 and younger get in for free and don’t need a ticket.

Yes, Denali is worth visiting, as it's the tallest peak in North America and surrounded by pristine Alaskan wilderness. However, only one road runs through Denali National Park and Preserve, and it's closed to private vehicles past Mile 15. To get closer to the mountain—a good idea, since it's often surrounded by clouds—join a guided national park tour. Options range from narrated bus tours to guided hikes that can be customized for all levels; either way, you can expect views of wildlife and natural scenery from taiga to tundra.

Per one customer who booked the Denali Nature Hike, "We enjoyed our hikes led by Josie, who was informative and had lots to share about the area in which we hiked. It was more like a private tour as my husband and I were the only members in the 'group.' Josie tailored it to my needs as I'm not the fastest of hikers. Definitely would recommend this tour! Thanks Josie!"

Denali’s main season is May 20 through the second or third week in September—that’s when the only road through the park will be open. While any visit will be spectacular, early September is especially fantastic. The road is open, the crowds are fewer, the wildlife are fattening up for winter, and the taiga turns scarlet.

As of mid-2023, two tours are available in Denali National Park: the Natural History Tour and the Tundra Wilderness Tour. The former is roughly 5 hours, concentrates on the park’s natural and cultural history, and travels to mile 17; the latter is also 5 hours, focuses on the park’s landscapes, and travels to mile 43.

Two or three days is good for a stay in Denali National Park. With multiple days, you’ll have numerous chances to catch “the mountain”—Denali is often covered in clouds—plus you’ll get ample time to scout for wildlife, hike into the backcountry, and take one or both bus tours.

Unfortunately, there’s no real “best time” of day to fly over Denali—every day and time is different, and clouds can appear at any moment. Some say morning rides are smoother, but that’s not a given. And sunset can be a great time for light, weather depending. There’s no way to predict the continent’s tallest mountain.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Denali. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Anchorage:

• Portage Glacier

• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

• Matanuska Glacier

• Lake Hood

• Cook Inlet

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in and around Anchorage.