You called?

Yes indeed, I drive those green shuttle busses into the park. For starters though, I'd like to say that overall, tgreale and chococat have offered very good advice regarding how to go about camping in the Denali backcountry. Let me clarify a couple of points...

The difference between campgrounds and backcountry units is that campgrounds are improved, numbered campsites. The backcountry is raw wilderness. Also, campgrounds can be booked in advance whereas backcountry units cannot be booked until you arrive in the park. You sound like you'd prefer getting out into the backcountry, so I would suggest avoiding the large developed campgrounds on the east end of the park (Riley Creek, Savage River and Teklanika) as they all cater to people with cars or motorhomes.

Some people like to "base camp" at the smaller Sanctuary River Campground (7 sites ~ walk, bike or bus in only) and then use the bus to get around the park for day hikes. Others will go all the way out to Wonder Lake Campground (Mile 86) where the same situations apply. Remember, busses will stop and pick you up or drop you off anywhere along the park road.

I think Wonder Lake Campground can be fun for a day or two because it provides a spectacular view of Denali (6,194 m or 20,320 ft) if it's out, which it often is in the early morning hours. Also, there is a well marked trail down to the McKinley Bar (River) and you can fish for Mackinaw and Grayling from Wonder Lake without need of an Alaska State fishing license. On the downside, Wonder Lake can also be VERY buggy in June and July. The purchase of a mosquito headnet is a good idea.

Again, think of these two campgrounds as base camps for smaller day hikes around the park. Your camper bus ticket is good for 2 weeks of unlimited travel inside the park. However, once you come back out to the east end (The train, stores, visitor center, etc), even if you've spent less than 2 weeks in the park, your ticket is then expired. To return to the park, you'll need to buy another ticket.

Here's a good link for campground reservations


As for the back country, sections 8-13 are the most popular, and for good reason. Spectacular backcountry scenery. I could go into more detail here but honestly, after spending a couple hours around the Visitor Center and/or talking with other hikers you'll have met either in the park or before you get there, you'll have plenty of good ideas for hikes. Here's a good book about hikes in Denali:

Denali National Park: Guide to Hiking, Photography, & Camping

Here's a map of the backcountry units.

Click on each unit for more information about it.



Here's a thought: Why not take two or three days staying at Sanctuary Campground (Mile 22), and then use the bus system to day hike and have a look around the park to see what looks good for longer hikes. Bring your map and feel free to ask the drivers questions along the way. Be careful around Dick Merrill though...

If you do plan to go into the backcountry for extended hikes, as was mentioned earlier you'll need to get permits, easily accomplished at the backcountry desk at the Wilderness Access Center. Unlike campground reservations, these are not issued in advance. Remember though, the more popular units do fill up fast. Be sure to get a good topographical map of the park. These are easily purchased in the park or in Anchorage or Fairbanks.

During peak season (approximately June 25 - August 7th) busses leave the Wilderness Access Center about every 30 minutes between 5:30am and 2:00pm. Most busses go to Fish Creek (Mile 63) (Eielson Visitor Center is closed for reconstruction) though there are also busses to Wonder Lake, Kantishna and Toklat. There are also some later camper busses that go out to Wonder Lake for the night and return the next morning. Don't worry about schedules now. Most camper busses have plenty of space.

If you intend to camp in the park, your FIRST bus trip from the Wilderness Access Center must be aboard a Camper Bus. These busses have a few seats removed in the back to make more room for backpacks, etc. There are six daily camper busses during peak season, but maybe another will be added this year. Once you are already out in the park and want to ride a bus, any shuttle bus - even non camper busses - can pick you up if they have space.

Again, don't worry about memorizing all this stuff now. It'll all make plenty of sense once you get to the park and it's all right in front of you. For more information on the shuttle busses, check out this link.



Here's another page with some more good links about the park.


As for bears, yes, they can be encountered any time in the park. That said, nobody has ever been killed by a bear in Denali National Park and over the past fifteen years, we've had about a half dozen cases where bear-human contact resulted in injury. Weigh this against the fact that literally thousands of visitors head into the Denali backcountry every year.

I could go into more detail here about bear safety but you'll learn everything you need to know once you arrive. Mainly, bear safety is all about common sense. Again, you'll learn all you need to know once you get here. I will say that an integral part of avoiding negative bear encounters is the bear proof food container. These are mandatory for all backcountry campers and the park service is happy to provide you with them. However, they also want them back - i.e. they're not a gift or souvenir.

Here's a little more info. on bear safety.


Finally, I think the best time to visit the park weatherwise is from about June 15th to July 15th. Yes, some years are rainy and others not so rainy, but that period seems to be the best and of course it also offers the most daylight.

P.S. I've noticed that a couple of the nps links don't load so well. If at first it comes up unable, just hit REFRESH and it should do fine.