Denali Park
Mount McKinley, rafting and animals are attractions
Published: May 14th, 2004
Last Modified: June 14th, 2004 at 09:39 AM
Black Diamond Golf and Cafe Golf by the light of the midnight sun with the beautiful Alaska Range as a backdrop. Hazards might include wildlife and moose tracks. The nine-hole course also offers tundra minigolf, a pro shop, power carts and a full-service restaurant. Midnight tee times are available. The grill, minigolf and pro shop open May 5. The course also is home to wagon and carriage rides that include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: Mile 1 Otto Lake Road, Healy
When: Opens June 1
Cost: $18
Phone: 1-907-683-4653
Web: www.blackdiamondgolf.com, www.denalihorsetours.com
Denali Park Resorts The resort is a do-everything destination for fun in the Denali area. In addition to rooms at two hotels, Denali Park Resorts offers tundra wilderness tours, natural-history tours, white-water rafting, flightseeing tours, gold panning and a dinner theater. The Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater is offered 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, 1-907-276-7234
Web: www.denaliparkresorts.com
Denali Saddle Safaris Explore the wonder of Denali and let horses do most of the work. The company offers a variety of rids from one, two and four hours to several days. Wildlife-viewing opportunities abound.
Where: Mile 4 Stampede Road, Healy
When: Daily, May 13-Sept. 25
Cost: Varies
Phone: 1-907-683-1200
Web: www.denalisaddlesafaris.com
Denali Sightseeing Safaris Take an off-road, four-wheel-drive trip into Denali National Park. The six- to seven-hour trip follows an old state road along the park's southern boundary. The specially outfitted trucks make the trip comfortable. There are several river crossings and opportunities for hiking, gold panning and wildlife viewing.
Where: Mile 188.5 Parks Highway
When: June 10-Sept. 15
Cost: $120 adults, $60 children 14 and younger
Phone: 1-907-240-0357
Web: www.denalisights.com
FLIGHTSEEING
Denali Air The company has operated since 1970 and has a private airstrip in the heart of the Alaska Range. Flight times average 60 to 70 minutes at an altitude of up to 12,000 feet. The flight circles Mount McKinley, weather permitting.
Where: Mile 229.5 Parks Highway
When: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
Cost: Varies
Phone: 1-907-683-2261
Web: www.denaliair.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 even make glacier landings. Try one of these: Era Helicopters (1-800-843-1947), Talkeetna Air Taxi (1-800-533-2219, 1-907-733-2218), K2 Aviation (1-907-733-2291) and Hudson Air Service (1-907-733-2321). Prices and trips vary.
Husky Homestead Tours Visit Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Jeff King's Goose Lake Kennel. King has won the race three times. Trips to the kennel include visits with puppies, a glimpse of summer training and a 1.5-hour narrated tour.
Where: Goose Lake Studio gallery, near the Denali Princess Hotel
When: Daily
Cost: $39 adults, $19 children ages 12 and younger
Phone: 1-907-683-2904
Web: www.huskyhomestead.com
Northern Lights Theatre A summertime visit to Denali National Park is breathtaking, but it doesn't allow for northern lights viewing. The theater's presentation of "Night Sky" helps solve that problem. The show features highlights of 17 years of northern lights footage set to classical music. Shows are at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and hourly from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Mile 238.9 Parks Highway
When: Open daily
Cost: $6.50 adults, $5 children
Phone: 1-907-683-4000
Web: www.denaligiftshop.com
Peak Experience Theater A veteran mountaineer shares information about conquering Mount McKinley. After getting the lowdown, a multimedia presentation takes visitors on a journey of Denali from a climber's perspective.
Where: Grande Denali Lodge
When: 6 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show
Cost: Dinner and show: $39.95 adults, children 12 and younger $5 plus cost of dinner; show only: $15 adults, $5 children
Phone: 1-907-683-5150
Web: www.denalialaska.com
RAFTING
Nenana Raft Adventures Nenana offers float trips suitable for kids as young as 5 and Class IV white-water trips where visitors can sit back and enjoy the scenery or do some work. Drysuits, life vests and river boots are provided.
Phone: 1-800-789-RAFT, 1-907-683-RAFT
Web: www.raftdenali.com
Too-loo-uk River Guides Too-loo-uk offers trips on rivers across the state, including the Nenana River near Denali. Class II and III white water, beautiful beaches and other scenery make for a wonderful trip. Other trips include visits to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Fortymile River, Wrangell-St. Elais National Park and the Talkeetna Mountains. Two to 12-day itineraries are available.
Phone: 1-907-683-1542
Web: www.akrivers.com
Denali Raft Adventures Denali Raft has mild water, white-water and full-day trips. The company offers seven departures daily with paddling or just riding.
Phone: 1-888-683-2234, 1-907-683-2234
Web: www.denaliraft.com
Denali Outdoor Center The company offers rafting, kayaking and mountain biking. River trips include two-hour, full-day and multiday journeys. Visitors can join paddle raft, oar raft or kayak trips. Mountain-bike tours and rentals are available. Denali Outdoor Center is hosting the Nenana Wildwater Races on July 16-18.
Phone: 1-888-303-1925, 1-907-683-1925
Web: www.denalioutdoorcenter.com, www.denaliparkrafting.com
