Denali Area
Park-edge lodges in Healy and Cantwell, back-country lodges on the Denali Highway, and Talkeetna for the flightseeing angle. Book the park bus first.
Who it suits
Denali is a park, not a town
The Denali Park entrance is at mile 237 of the Parks Highway. Healy is 11 miles north, Cantwell 28 miles south. Most park-edge lodges cluster in this window and close by mid-September. Lodges on the Denali Highway itself are smaller, older, and quieter, and the road closes to regular traffic in winter. Talkeetna is 150 miles south but flightseeing over the mountain is cheaper from there.
Where to stay
Lodges and cabins near Denali
Park entrance lodges, Denali Highway outposts, and a few stays outside the park gates.
Denali Park
Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
Seasonal getaway with casual rooms, on-site dining, excursions, hot tubs and a dinner theater. 238.5 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve.
4.2 on Google (2,090)
Denali Park
McKinley Creekside Cabins
Woodsy rooms and cabins with free Wi-Fi plus a bar/cafe, picnic area with BBQs and nearby hiking trails. 224 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve.
4.8 on Google (572)
Healy
Denali Lakeview Inn
Classic lodging on a lake with floatplane access, plus free in-room breakfast, WiFi and satellite TV. mile 1.2 Otto Lake Rd, Healy.
4.7 on Google (257)
Healy
Aurora Denali Lodge
Simple quarters, some with microwaves and minifridges, in a motel offering free Wi-Fi and a library. 249.5 Parks Hwy, Healy.
4.4 on Google (366)
Denali Park
Grande Denali Lodge
Rustic lodge on a secluded hilltop with wilderness views, plus free Wi-Fi and a relaxed restaurant. 238 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve.
4 on Google (580)
Denali Park
Denali Grizzly Bear Resort
Woodsy retreat featuring airy rooms and cozy cabins with private decks, plus fire pits and river views. Denali National Park and Preserve, Mile, 231.1 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve.
3.9 on Google (554)
Healy
Denali Park Hotel
Casual budget hotel offering functional rooms with microwaves, minifridges and free Wi-Fi. Parks Hwy &, Otto Lake Rd, Healy.
4.1 on Google (322)
Cantwell
Backwoods Lodge
Casual quarters with kitchenettes and flat-screens in a secluded lodge-style motel with forest views. MP 133.7, Denali Hwy, Cantwell.
4.6 on Google (163)
Cantwell
Alpine Creek Lodge
Located on Mile 68, Denali Hwy, Cantwell.
4.8 on Google (120)
From here you can reach
And a day trip or two
- Denali National Park entrance and wilderness access center
- Flightseeing over Mount Denali from Kantishna or Talkeetna
- Denali Highway autumn tundra drives, open Memorial Day through mid-October
- Fairbanks, 115 miles north via the Parks Highway for aurora season
People also ask
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest hotel to Denali Park entrance?
McKinley Chalet Resort, Grande Denali Lodge, and Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge are within a mile of the entrance road. Healy is 11 miles north for more options.
When do Denali lodges close for the season?
Most park-edge lodges close by mid-September. A handful in Healy stay open into early October. Denali Highway back-country lodges close when the road closes in October.
Is it worth staying inside the park?
Kantishna lodges (at the end of the 92-mile park road) are the most immersive Alaska stay available but cost $1,500+ per person per night. Worth it once in a lifetime, not every trip.
How do I get to Denali without a rental car?
The Denali Star train runs Anchorage to Denali daily in summer. Lodges at the entrance run shuttle buses from the depot. Works well if you are not planning other driving.
What is the difference between Denali Park and Denali State Park?
Denali National Park is the big one with the 92-mile park road and the mountain. Denali State Park is further south, on the Parks Highway between Talkeetna and the park entrance. Both offer views of Denali on clear days.
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