Black Diamond Resort
The nine-hole golf course provides a midnight-sun experience for golfers, but even if you don't hit the links, a trip to Black Diamond might be in order. There is a full-service restaurant, covered wagon tours and ATV tours. The nine-hole course also offers tundra mini-golf, a pro shop, power carts and pull carts. Midnight tee times are available. Horse-drawn wagon tours include breakfast, lunch or dinner at a rustic camp.
Where: Mile 1 Otto Lake Road, Healy
When: Opens May 10
Cost: Varies
Phone: 683-4653
Web: www.denalihorsetours.com
Denali National Park bus tours
The park's buses are the primary way to get into the heart of Denali National Park. There are several options available. The Denali Natural History Tour is a five-hour, fully narrated cultural history tour to Primrose Ridge at Mile 17 Denali Park Road. The peak-season Tundra Wilderness Tour is six to eight hours and goes to the Toklat River. Shuttle buses stop at various locations along the road, with the final stop at Kantishna, Mile 90. Three free shuttles are offered near the park's entrance area. There also are private bus tours to lodges at Kantishna.
Where: Buses depart from the park entrance area
When: May 19 to Sept. 13
Cost: Varies; tours are from $52.05 to $80.75 for adults; shuttle bus prices vary and start at $19.50
Phone: 1-800-622-7275, 272-7275
Web: www.nps.gov/dena/
Denali National Park visitor centers
At the park's entrance are the Denali Visitor Center, the Wilderness Access Center and the Murie Science and Learning Center. The visitor center offers general information, films, ranger-guided walks and interpretive programs.
The wilderness center sells bus tickets and campground permits, shows the film "Across Time and Tundra" and is where all shuttle buses depart. The Murie center has an exhibit area and classroom.
Where: Park Road entrance area
When: From 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, May 15 to Sept. 18
Cost: Free
Phone: 683-2294
Web: www.nps.gov/dena/
Denali Park Resorts
In addition to rooms at three hotels, Denali Park Resorts offers tours, white-water rafting and a dinner theater. The Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater is at the McKinley Chalet Resort. The dinner theater includes a show with stories and music about the Gold Rush. There are two seatings nightly.
Where: Denali Park area
When: Daily
Cost: Varies
Phone: 1-800-276-7234, 276-7234
Web: www.denaliparkresorts.com
Denali Saddle Safaris
Explore the majesty of Denali and let horses do most of the work. The company offers a variety of rides from one, two and four hours to several days. Lunch is included on longer rides. Wildlife-viewing opportunities abound.
Where: Mile 4 Stampede Road, Healy
When: Daily, mid-May through September
Cost: Varies; starts at $79
Phone: 683-1200
Web: www.denalisaddlesafaris.com
Denali Sightseeing Safaris
Take an off-road, four-wheel-drive trip into Denali National Park aboard specially outfitted trucks. The six- to seven-hour trip follows an old state road along the park's southern boundary. There are several river crossings and opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing.
Where: Mile 188.5 Parks Highway
When: June 10 to Sept. 15
Cost: $140 adults, $70 children 14 and younger
Phone: 240-0357
Web: www.denalisights.com
FLIGHTSEEING
Denali Air
The company has a private airstrip in the heart of the Alaska Range. The flight circles Mount McKinley, weather permitting.
Where: Mile 229.5 Parks Highway
When: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Cost: $295
Phone: 683-2261
Web: www.denaliair.com
Talkeetna Aero Services
The company offers all-weather aircraft with a variety of tours, including one over the summit of Mount McKinley.
Where: Denali Park
When: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Cost: Varies
Phone: 683-2899
Web: www.talkeetnaaero.com
Other operators
A variety of other companies offer Mount McKinley flightseeing trips from many locations around the state. Each company has its own specialty; some make glacier landings. Try one of these: Talkeetna Air Taxi (talkeetnaair.com ; 1-800-533-2219, 733-2218), K2 Aviation (flyk2.com ; 1-800-764-2291, 733-2291), Rust's Flying Service (flyrusts.com; 1-800-544-2299, 243-1595), Take Flight Alaska (takeflightalaska.com; 274-9943) and Hudson Air Service (hudsonair.com; 1-800-478-2321, 733-2321). Prices and trips vary.
Husky Homestead Tours
Visit four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King's Goose Lake homestead. Trips to the kennel include visits with puppies, a glimpse of summer training and a 11u20442-hour narrated tour.
Where: Eight miles from Denali
National Park
When: Three times daily
Cost: $45 adults, $22 children younger than 12
Phone: 683-2904
Web: www.huskyhomestead.com
Northern Lights Theatre
During a summertime visit to Denali National Park, the one sight visitors won't see is the northern lights. The show features highlights of 17 years of northern lights footage set to classical music. Shows are at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and hourly from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Mile 238.9 Parks Highway
When: Open daily; shows at 9 a.m.,
1 p.m. and hourly 5-8 p.m.
Cost: $6.50 adults, $5 children
Phone: 683-4000
RAFTING
Denali Raft Adventures Inc.
Denali Raft has two-hour, four-hour and full-day trips on mild water and white water. The company offers seven departures daily with paddling or just riding.
Phone: 1-888-683-2234, 683-2234
Web: www.denaliraft.com
Denali Outdoor Center
The company has two locations in the Denali area and offers rafting, kayaking and mountain biking adventures. Activities include two-hour, four-hour and half-day white-water and scenic river trips. White-water guests can join paddle raft, oar raft or kayaking trips. Mountain-bike tours and rentals are available.
Phone: 1-888-303-1925, 683-1925
Web: www.denalioutdoorcenter.com, www.denaliparkrafting.com
Nenana Raft Adventures
Nenana offers raft trips suitable for children as young as 5 and Class IV white-water trips where visitors can sit back and enjoy the scenery or do some work. The company's office overlooks the Nenana River. It offers other rafting trips around the state.
Phone: 1-800-789-RAFT, 683-RAFT
Web: www.alaskaraft.com
Too-loo-uk River Guides
Too-loo-uk offers multiday wilderness trips on rivers across the state, including the Nenana River near Denali National Park. Class II and III white water, beautiful beaches and scenery make for a wonderful short trip at Denali. Other trips include visits to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and the Talkeetna Mountains, with excellent wildlife viewing, hiking and fishing. Two- to 12-day itineraries are available.
Phone: 683-1542
Web: www.akrivers.com
