Talkeetna, Alaska, got its start as a gold-mining and railroad town early in the 20th century.
Talkeetna services
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Business Directory
Here are lists of companies that provide useful services to visitors with a busy schedule.
Sleeping and eating
Tours and activities
As it turned out, however, the town's big attraction was a few dozen miles away -- the 20,320-foot-high Mount McKinley, known throughout the world as Denali National Park.
Location
At the junction of the Talkeetna, Chulitna and Susitna rivers in Southcentral Alaska, about 60 miles southeast of Mount McKinley. Talkeetna is 113 highway miles north of Anchorage.
Population
722.
Notable
Once the site of a Tanaina Indian village and later in the middle of a gold rush, Talkeetna (named for the "River of Plenty") got a big boost when the Alaska Railroad established a construction camp at the river junction early in the 20th century. Now the town is the base for mountain-climbing expeditions in the Alaska Range and activities on the three rivers. With its casual lifestyle, Talkeetna might be considered the "earth mother" of the Susitna Valley.
Attractions
Flightseeing around Mount McKinley, mountain climbing, fishing, rafting, bear viewing, festivals and the town's bohemian atmosphere.
Weather
Summers are pleasant, but winters are a real challenge. Summer high temperatures will likely be in the 60s and 70s, but late summer brings cool rain. Winter lows may fall to -30 degrees.
Activities
Talkeetna is only a step from the outdoors. Popular activities are flightseeing; riverboat rides, rafting, and fishing in the Talkeetna River; hiking in nearby Denali National and State parks; and bear viewing.
Transportation
Talkeetna is easily accessible from Anchorage and Denali National Park. It's a pleasant drive, and visitors also have bus, train and air options. Anchorage is a 113-mile drive south. Denali's entrance is 151 miles from downtown Talkeetna, or 138 north from the Talkeetna turnoff on the Parks Highway.
