How to Plan the Best Drive from Anchorage to Denali

I love a scenic train ride, but if you drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park, instead, a world of possibilities opens up on your Alaskan adventure.

Booking a car for our trip was an easy decision. It gave us more power over the stops we wanted to make along the way and how much time to spend at those stops.

It also offered us some flexibility around last-minute changes to that itinerary.

I’ll include all of that here so that you can plan a safe, efficient trip and be the envy of everyone at home while you’re at it.

Driving From Anchorage to Denali

Yes, you can drive from Anchorage to Denali. The roads are all paved and accessible throughout the year. AK-3, the state’s widest road, is the main road you’ll stick to from the most populous city to the rest of the state.

You can rest assured that those Anchorage to Denali miles are well-traveled by both locals and tourists in Alaska.

Denali is about four to five hours from Anchorage without stopping. The total distance from Anchorage to Denali by car is around 237 miles. 

A day trip to Denali from Anchorage isn’t recommended. You won’t be able to see much along the way or at Denali in that scenario.

I wouldn’t recommend a day trip from Anchorage to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, either. That one is a similar distance from Anchorage, with plenty of stops to check out along the way.

Is the drive from Anchorage to Denali scary?

Driving from Anchorage to Denali typically isn’t scary. It’s safe for much of the year, too, but does come with some considerations that may not be relevant to road trips you’re used to. 

As you plan how to get to Denali from Anchorage, the time of year you travel matters most.

The road from Anchorage to Denali can quickly become sketchy in inclement weather, especially in ice or snowy road conditions. You’ll also be traveling one of the busiest thoroughfares for moose along the way. 

If you’re here in the summer, you’ll see ominous signage about the number of moose killed on the road since the start of the season.

Just be aware of your surroundings and drive at or below the speed limit, especially at dawn, dusk, and during inclement weather. 

Make sure to download any relevant maps before you hit the road, too. We had no trouble with service closer to Anchorage and cities along the way but did lose service around the state parks.

Driving vs. Planning an Alaskan Train Trip

It’s better to drive to Denali from Anchorage if you want to be in control of scenic stops. The Alaska Railroad is an adventure in itself, but you’ll have to give up control over your itinerary if you go that route.

The distance from Anchorage to Denali by train is the same as the self-drive option, but the duration is much longer. The ride will take you at least seven hours.

What it’s Like to Drive From Anchorage to Denali

While it may not be as impressive as the drive from Anchorage to Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park, it does get close.

As far as road trip attractions, how much you see on your drive depends on when you get started. We arrived in Alaska a little after 4pm following a red-eye flight from Chicago.

Despite the intense exhaustion and incoming jet lag, we were ready to see the best of Alaska. 

Fun fact: It was our 50th state, by the way, so some of our excitement was related to that. We’re not usually this amped to get going at our advanced age. 

Best Stops on a Drive From Anchorage to Denali

The best stops on the drive from Anchorage to Denali include:

• Eagle River Nature Center
• Mirror Lake
• Thunderbird Falls
• Eklutna Historical Park
• Eklutna Lake 
• Reflections Lake
• Wasilla
• Musk Ox Farm
• Talkeetna
• Denali Viewpoint South
• Denali Viewpoint North

We got on the road just as the sun started to come up. This was the best moose-spotting of our entire trip. We saw a total of four moose on that first leg at dawn, including two moose babies. It pays to get up and at ‘em early!

Let’s dig into our favorite stops from our Alaskan road trip, starting with the state’s most populous city.

Anchorage

Anchorage really doesn’t get enough love in my opinion. Yes, it has that city feel that you don’t expect on visits to Alaska, but it also boasts a nice food and cultural scene you wouldn’t expect, either.

READ MORE: If you’re able to dedicate a full day to Anchorage, learn why you won’t regret it!

If you have to pick and choose, here are a few of my favorite Anchorage stops:

• Anchorage Brewing Company: Visit our favorite Anchorage brewery with some of the best views of the city at this spot. The tasters seemed to be the most affordable in town, too, a welcome treat in pricey Alaska.
• Anchorage Museum: Learn a little something about Anchorage and take in some impressive art at the city’s best museum. It’s a great stop if your trip kicks off with some garbage weather, too.
• Benji’s Bakery & Cafe: This may not be the most scenic stop on your Anchorage to Denali road trip — you’ll find the cafe in a strip mall — but it is one of the most delicious. You’ll want to order some cream puffs. Thank me later.
• Downtown Anchorage: Enjoy the walkability of downtown Anchorage with visits to Star the Reindeer, the city’s mascot, Delany Park, and the Captain Cook Monument.
• Tony Knowles Coastal Trail: Pick and choose sections that speak to you on this 11-mile trail. I like the parts near Point Woronzof Park to watch the planes go by and where the trail connects to the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge.

Eagle River Nature Center

The center itself may not be open during your visit, especially if you arrive as early in the morning as we did. It’s still a great starting point if you need a stroll early on in your drive.

Pay for parking via credit card at the automated machine before you set out for any hikes.

The Albert Loop Trail is the most popular hike from here, but it may be closed when you visit due to bear activity. Chugach State Park and this trail in particular is where they like to nosh on spawning salmon during the summer months. 

Note: I promise I won’t just offer closed destinations as road trip stops along the way. 

We were able to take the Rodak Nature Loop, instead. The 0.8-mile loop takes you to a beaver dam and a salmon overlook with expansive views of a scenic glacial river valley.

We didn’t see any beavers here, but we did see some excitable fish. I think they were just excited they weren’t being eaten by anything at the moment.

Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake is an easy stop on any Anchorage trip as it’s just under half an hour from the city. It’s even easier on this road trip as you’ll pass right by it on your way up north.

Much like the Reflections Lake to come, Mirror Lake is named as such thanks to its mirror effect.

The views here are lovely enough if you have good weather — we didn’t — but if you want to linger, this is also a popular swimming and kayaking spot.

This one is also open to fishing if you’re an angler. The lake is full of rainbow trout.

Thunderbird Falls

A wide, easy trail of about 1.8 miles roundtrip takes you past a cliff viewing area and a peekaboo view of Thunderbird Falls.

While it’s not the most impressive waterfall we’ve seen in our travels, the approach there is super scenic. I bet this one is a better gusher in the early spring months, too.

You’ll walk between a birch forest on one side and the Eklutna River canyon on the other. Don’t get too close to the canyon side, especially if you’ve just gotten off a red-eye flight.

Apart from the falls, keep your eyes on your feet to catch glimpses of the forest’s whimsical fungi. We took some harrowing pics of an adorable mushroom on this trail.

The steep path Brian had to navigate was harrowing, not the mushroom itself. The mushroom itself was all kinds of photogenic.

There is a bathroom at the trailhead if you need it, but I skipped that due to the lack of toilet paper and the shatastrophe inside.

Pay for parking at the pay box upon arrival or just use your parking permit from the stop before if it’s the same day.

Eklutna Historical Park

This stop is on all of the Anchorage to Denali road trip itineraries, so we wanted to see if it was worth a look.

First of all, make sure to bring that bug spray. It was a little past peak season for mosquitos when we visited Alaska in August, but they were hungry here.

As far as the historical village itself, we walked around for a few minutes to check out the spirit houses.

Many of them were in sad disrepair. It was a bummer to see the lack of care with some of the homes, as this is the final resting place for some of the oldest inhabitants of the region.

I guess the park doesn’t have much to do with the upkeep of the homes, leaving it up to relatives and loved ones.

I’m telling you right now my spirit house better be in order when I’m dead and gone. What do we think of a Barbie Dreamhouse situation?

You can also visit St. Nicholas Church while you’re here. The Russian Orthodox church is the oldest standing building in greater Anchorage.

If you’re short on time in either direction, I would prioritize some of the natural wonders along the way over this one.

It’s an easy visit, but not as impressive as the reflective lakes and hiking trails along the drive.

Eklutna Lake 

This lovely lake fed by Eklutna Glacier offers visitors a mirror effect and a chance for quiet contemplation. This was the first moment where we were really able to think about how lucky we were to be in Alaska.

The scenery here reminded me of Avalanche Lake, one of the most scenic spots in Glacier National Park.

There are a few challenging trails that start here if you’re visiting the region for longer. We were content enough to take a break.

Pay for parking at the pay box upon arrival or use the same pass you’ve been using at some of the other regional and state parks if it’s the same day.

Reflections Lake

We ran out of time for this lake in favor of Eklutna Lake and sustenance by this point in either direction, but we’ve heard it’s a great place for spotting the Northern Lights.

Whether you’re here for wildlife or national parks, the Northern Lights sweeten any trip.

You’ll need to plan your arrival to the lake after dark on a clear night if that’s what you’re after. It’s a pretty easy day trip from Anchorage if you have more time in the city on either end of your Alaska trip.

Wasilla

We had Wasilla on our list for a quick stop at the headquarters for The Iditarod. We narrowly missed one of those large bus sightseeing tours, likely connected to an Alaska cruise, upon arrival.

Be warned that this is a popular stop for big groups. 

We spent some time in the free exhibit space and attached gift shop before meeting the kenneled puppies outside.

They offer dog sled rides on a wheeled cart in the summer months for $10/person, but from what we observed, the loop is over in about 60 seconds.

It was enough for us to spend time with the puppies without dropping cash on 60 seconds of hollering.

Fun fact: We could not see Russia from anywhere in Wasilla.

Musk Ox Farm

Whether you’re planning a trip to Alaska with kids or just love short, fuzzy creatures, I highly recommend a stop at the Musk Ox Farm along the way.

It’s an inexpensive activity for about 45 minutes, and you’ll be supporting a nonprofit while you’re here.

We booked a visit online ahead of time because I noticed they were selling out tours some days of the week. When we arrived early for our tour we were able to get on an earlier tour.

I’d still book ahead to account for potential bus tours in the summer months. 

Our excellent guide told us all about their gentle husbandry practices at the farm. No, these oxen aren’t eaten.

They get brushed for their qiviut, or the inner wool that sheds naturally throughout the spring. 

If the oxen don’t want to be brushed when it’s their time to get brushed, they aren’t forced into it.

What that means is the guides and other staff run around collecting the fur as it attaches to fencing and anywhere else before getting blown away.

If you’re here in the summertime, you’ll be treated to the smell of fermented urine on some of the bulls. Summer is rutting season, which means the bulls are looking to party with their harem of lady musk oxen.

Peruse the gift shop once you’re done to see if there’s anything in your budget. I brought home a little musk ox plush for one of my friend’s kids as the qiviut goods were a little rich for our blood.

Talkeetna

This one is a logical food stop on your way to or from Denali, if only because you’ll find more options here than some of the other small towns along the way.

We grabbed a meal at Mountain High Pizza Pie. It was fine if a few dollars too expensive for the size pies they served. Brian went meat-heavy and I got their gyro special.

I have some regrets about not eating at The Salmon Spot, instead. Their chowder looked like they would have hit the spot. Otherwise, they specialize in wild-caught Alaskan salmon.

If you’re here to linger, grab beers and cider at Denali Brewing Company. They have a brewpub attached for pub-style food that looked decent.

There’s a cute main street area here but you don’t need a ton of time to explore it. Most of the boutique shops seemed to sell similar moose-themed souvenirs.

Note: Historic buildings include the Talkeetna Schoolhouse and Nagley’s Store, a general store in some form since 1921.

I totally get the value of historical buildings, but I do not get the appeal of the interior of the general store. Seriously, it’s on every travel blog about Talkeetna.

They sell dusty puzzles and expired cans of beans that I guess suit someone’s purpose. A look from the outside is probably all you need.

My favorite part of Talkeetna was the river views. Just be careful here, as the currents looked quite wild. 

Denali Viewpoint South

Before you get to Denali National Park, you’ll drive through Denali State Park.

Stop at both of the main viewpoints as you make the final drive, especially if it’s a clear day. This stop and the next one are the best viewpoints of Denali outside of Denali National Park.

We just missed a bear viewing at this one but did get a little Denali action for our efforts. It was surrounded by clouds, but still incredible to see so early in our trip. Apparently, only about a third of visitors to Alaska see Denali during their time in the state.

We must be a big deal because we got to see it twice!

Denali Viewpoint North

This viewpoint wasn’t as good as the last because the mountain was even more obscured by cloud cover, but it was still a nice stop on the approach to the national park.

It really just depends on the day as far as what you’ll get at these stops.

Denali National Park and Preserve

Denali National Park is likely why you planned this road trip in the first place. Everything you’ve heard about the park is true. It’s a spectacular place, with some of the best opportunities for wildlife spotting in the country.

READ MORE: I have a detailed itinerary for Denali. Check it out to plan your visit!

If you want to see as much of the park as possible, book one of the park’s bus tours to get beyond where passenger vehicles can go. You’ll still need to pay an entrance fee, unless you hold an America the Beautiful pass.

We did the Tundra Wilderness Tour on our own trip and I put together a detailed review as to why it’s worth your while.

If you’re expecting loads of hiking opportunities, note that many of the trails here are defined as backcountry hiking trails. You’ll need to be well-equipped with maps and gear to stay safe on some of the more intense trails.

As far as Denali itself, only about a third of visitors see the mountain over the course of their time in Alaska.

I’ve said this already, but we were lucky enough to see it twice. We didn’t do anything special to make that happen. It just happened.

No matter what you see while you’re in the park, it’s worth the effort to make it there. This is one bucket list stop that meets all expectations.

It’s worth driving to Denali from Anchorage.

You’ll be able to plan your personal priorities if you make the trip with room for flexibility if a scenic view comes up along the way.

The icing on this road trip is that the destination is even better than the drive itself.

You’ll be at Denali, people.

Keep in mind that if you miss something on the drive to Denali, you can hit it on the drive back to Anchorage. We were able to break up everything on this list that way on the even longer drive down to Seward.

This is one of the most scenic regions in the United States. Hit the road and enjoy the views.

Planning more road trips through the U.S.? Check these out:

• Plan a California Drive From San Fran to Los Angeles
• How to Plan the Best Oregon Road Trip
• A Utah Road Trip Through All Five Parks
• See Incredible Fall Foliage on a New England Road Trip
• Where to Stop on Drives in the American South

Love national parks? Check these out:

• Where to Stay at Yosemite: A Detailed Guide
• How to Plan Your First Trip to Zion National Park
• Explore the Best Hiking Trails at Utah’s Arches
• Grand Teton: A Detailed Guide for Your Next Trip
• Top Reasons Why Petrified Forest Is Awesome

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