denali state park bus tours

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Tundra Wilderness Tour

Denali natural history tour, kantishna experience tour, eielson excursion tour.

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Your Guide to Adventure

In an effort to preserve the fragile ecosystem of Denali National Park & Preserve, the National Park Service has limited access on the park road for private vehicles. To experience the best of the Park, we suggest taking one of our fascinating and awe-inspiring interpretive land tours. The land tours give you the opportunity for full-time wildlife spotting – and also allow you the chance to sit back, relax and listen to your Interpretive Guide share stories about the history, culture and geography that surrounds you.

Our Tours are led by seasoned and expert guides who will provide in-depth narrative of the flora and fauna of Denali National Park. Please see our chart below to help select the right tour for you. Remember-the more time you spend in the park, the greater your chance of seeing the "big five" wildlife (Dall Sheep, grizzly bear, caribou, moose and wolf). 

Tour buses are comfortable, offering bucket seating and tours are ADA access available. We recommend pre-booking your boxed lunch. Park entrance fees are included in tour prices. 

Guest Favorite!   Offers the best opportunities to view the park's wildlife inhabitants, choose from two tours; the Tundra Wilderness Full Tour and the Toklat Shoulder Season Tour. 

Highlights : **Best for viewing wildlife!** Denali views (weather permitting). Buses equipped with cameras for zooming in on animals and capturing your tour on keepsake DVD. 

Length/Miles: 5 - 5.5 Hours / 43 Miles (one way)

Focusing on the rich natural and cultural history of the park, this 4 ½ to 5-hour tour travels to Primrose Ridge.

Highlights: Savage Cabin, Primrose Ridge, rich overview of Denali's history. 

Length/Miles: 4.5 - 5 Hours / 17 Miles (one way)

Not offered in 2024

Follow in the footsteps on Fannie Quigley to the old gold town of Kantishna on this all-day adventure to the end of the Park Road.

Highlights: Full length of park road, all day tour. Kantishna, Wonder Lake, only tour featuring NPS Interpretive Ranger. ​

Length/Miles: 11-12 Hours / 92 Miles

The Eielson Excursion is a Tundra Wilderness Tour which goes further on the Denali Park Road to the Eielson Visitor Center! 

Highlights : A great option for viewing wildlife and the Eielson Visitor Center.

Length/Miles : 8-9 Hours / 66 Miles

How it Works: Denali Park Bus Tours

With just one gravel road amidst Denali National Park's six-million acres, guided bus tours are the very best way for most visitors to see this beautiful place. We've got all the details on how it works.

There are two park tours operating in the summer of 2024:

• Denali Natural History Tour - Travels 25 miles to the Teklanika Flats. Fully guided with a focus on the natural and human history of the park. Tour is approximately 4.5-5 hours long.
• Tundra Wilderness Tour - Travels 43 miles to the Murie Cabin at East Fork River. Fully guided with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Tour is approximately 5-5.5 hours.

Both tour rates include a $15 NPS entrance fee. Holders of a Golden Age Pass will need to go to the Denali Bus Depot in person to receive a refund of their park fee.

Tour Times and Pickup

When you book a park tour you have the option to choose a morning or afternoon departure (on your Alaska Tour & Travel confirmation documents, this is noted as AM or PM). Specific departure times are assigned by the tour operator 48 hours prior to your tour, but generally:

• Denali Natural History Tour - Morning tours generally depart between 4:45 AM and 11:55 AM, while afternoon tours typically depart between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
• Tundra Wilderness Tour - Morning tours generally depart between 4:30 AM and 11:50 AM, while afternoon tours typically depart between 12:10 PM and 4:50 PM.

Upon check in at your Denali hotel, ask the front desk or tour desk representative for departure information on your park tour. The tour desk staff will give you the departure time, location, and bus number for your Denali Park tour.

Guests staying at some smaller hotels including the Denali Grizzly Bear, Denali Cabins, or camping will need to call Denali Park Village at 907-683-8900 to get their tour departure information. Note that the tour operator reserves the right to change departure location from what is reported on your initial itinerary so check the tour information that they provide carefully.

What to Wear/Bring

Weather will change through the day and as you go farther into the park. Dress in layers and comfortable walking shoes. In a small day pack bring a warm coat and rain jacket, binoculars, a camera with extra battery and memory card, water, and snacks (more on food below). If you're visiting with kiddos under the age of eight or weighing less than 65 pounds, you must provide a car seat or booster seat.

On Your Tour

Here's what to expect on your tour:

• Tour Bus - Tours are operated on modified school buses. Tan colored buses run tours. Green buses, also known as camper buses, run non-narrated trips into the park for hikers and campers.
• Pickup - Arrive early for your assigned pickup time. Depending on where you're staying, there may be a few more pickups before you head into the park.
• Seating - Seating is first-come, first-served. There is no "better" side of the bus to sit on: Since tours are out-and-back, you'll have the chance to see it all no matter what seat you claim.
• Guide - Tours are narrated by experienced naturalist driver-guides, many of whom have worked in the park for years. They'll narrate over a loudspeaker system so that all guests can hear. Keep your eyes peeled for grizzlies, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, foxes, and maybe even wolves as you go, and be sure to call out any animals you spot.
• Accessibility - Tours are ADA accessible but accommodations must be requested in advance. Visitors who can walk up and down bus stairs may use courtesy wheelchairs at all stops in the park to avoid bringing their own wheelchair or needing a bus with an ADA lift.
• Bathroom Breaks - Bathroom stops occur approximately every 90 minutes. Facilities in the park are basic vault toilets.
• Snacks and Drinks - On the Denali Natural History Tour, only water is provided. Guests on the Tundra Wilderness Tour receive a snack box that usually includes a beef stick, chips, cookies, trail mix, and a small bottle of water. There are no concessions or water fountains available in the park, so be sure to bring any other snack or water that you think you may want.

And, most important...

• Absolutely Gorgeous Landscapes - Spotting wildlife is always the highlight of a Denali Park bus tour, but prepare to be wowed by the vast, ever changing scenery throughout your tour. Alaska at its best!

More Like This : Denali Park Hikes for Every Visitor

At Alaska Tour & Travel, we specialize in building custom trips for every timeline, personality, and budget. If you'd like to have an Alaskan plan your Alaska trip, give us a call at 800-208-0200.

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Denali Bus Tours, Day Trips and Outdoor Adventures

Home » Tours » City-Based Day Tours » Denali

Denali National Park is larger than the state of Massachusetts. It is also one of the world’s last great frontiers for wilderness adventure. Denali (formerly known as Mt. McKinley) is North America’s highest peak at 20,320 feet and is located within the park. Its impressive vertical relief of 18,000 feet is even greater than Mount Everest’s! Denali National Park is 238 miles north of Anchorage and 120 miles south of Fairbanks. Except for a few lodges in the park, most of the hotels and activities are found at the park entrance, including opportunities for hiking, river rafting, and helicopter flightseeing tours.

Browsing 12 Day Tours in Denali

Canyon Run Whitewater River Rafting from Denali

Length: 3 hours

Starting at: $130 / pp

Hang on – there’s Denali National Park whitewater ahead at Canyon Run! Choose to paddle as a river rafting team or let your rafting guide do all the work on this exciting Class III-IV whitewater rafting day trip... Browse itinerary

Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure

Length: 2.5 hours

Starting at: $139 / pp

This Alaska ATV day tour from Denali is fun, exciting, and scenic for both novices and experienced ATV riders. You will ride your All Terrain Vehicle along trails surrounded by Denali National Park at speeds up to 30... Browse itinerary

Denali ATV Side-by-Side Adventure

Starting at: $118 / pp

This Denali National Park guided ATV day tour is fun for everybody, whether an experienced ATV rider or a novice. On this all-terrain vehicle tour, you will ride along trails near Denali National Park in a side-by-side ATV... Browse itinerary

Healy Express Scenic Float and Whitewater

Length: 5.5 hours

Starting at: $220 / pp

This Denali rafting tour, the “Healy Express,” begins with a scenic rafting float trip on the Wilderness Run of the Nenana River and then continues with the whitewater of the Canyon Run. The Wilderness Run is a scenic... Browse itinerary

Wilderness Run Float Trip from Denali

On this Alaska river rafting day trip from the Denali Park Entrance, you’ll float down the Nenana River bordering Denali National Park. You may see moose, sheep, caribou, and bear as you raft downstream 11 miles. Your rafting... Browse itinerary

Denali Tundra Express with Landing by Helicopter

Length: 1.5 - 2 hours

Starting at: $259 / pp

On this Alaska flightseeing day tour, enjoy an aerial view of the eastern boundary of Denali National Park as you travel along the spine of the Alaska Range. Upon landing, sink your feet into the alpine tundra, and... Browse itinerary

Denali Peak Flightseeing Experience

Length: 2 hours

Starting at: $449 / pp

This Denali day trip is the perfect Alaska flightseeing tour by small bush plane to see the majestic mountain of Denali. It provides up-close views of the rugged glacial beauty of the Alaska Range and Denali National Park.... Browse itinerary

Denali Express Flightseeing

Length: 1.5 hours

Starting at: $365 / pp

This 45-minute Denali flightseeing day tour via a small bush plane from the Denali Park Entrance lets you experience Denali National Park from a bird’s eye view and experience Mt. Denali from the air. Fly along the snow-capped... Browse itinerary

Denali Helicopter Flightseeing Tour with Glacier Landing

Starting at: $595 / pp

This flightseeing day tour by helicopter out of Denali takes you to Alaska’s beautiful Yanert Valley, located at the base of Mt. Deborah. After transferring from the Park Entrance, board your helicopter and travel just east of Denali... Browse itinerary

Denali Heli-Hiking Tour

Length: 5 hours

Starting at: $499 / pp

This Denali area heli-hiking day tour from the Denali National Park Entrance allows visitors to experience the backcountry of Alaska with a brief helicopter flight followed by a guided hike through Yanert Valley. A naturalist guide will lead... Browse itinerary

Denali Highway 4×4 Jeep Excursion

Length: 4 hours

Starting at: $179 / pp

This guided Denali Highway Jeep, 4×4 day tour, allows you to explore the scenic Denali Highway, just south of Denali National Park. Since driving the Denali Highway is prohibited by most rental vehicle companies, this exclusive excursion provides... Browse itinerary

Cabin Nite Dinner Theater

Starting at: $90 / pp

Enjoy old-time Alaska as you enjoy a popular dinner theater performance in Denali National Park set in an authentic Alaska log-paneled roadhouse. Join heroine Fannie Quigley and an unforgettable cast of characters in this true-to-life Alaska Gold Rush... Browse itinerary

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Denali Bus Tours

Note: The tours listed below will NOT be running during the 2024 season! - Denali is a fascinating and beautiful national park with a wonderfully diverse mix of geology and wildlife to see and discover. However, visitors choosing to explore the park road on their own, are only allowed to drive 15 miles into the park before they have to stop and turn around.

If you want to go further into the park and discover the true heart of Denali National Park, then taking a bus tour through the park is a must.

Below you will find details of the two best and most popular bus tours through the park. Each of these tours will travel the entire 90+ mile length of the road and take you all the way to the old mining town of Kantishna, Alaska.

To really make the most of your visit to Denali National Park, a bus tour through the park is a must-do experience, and these two options receive our highest recommendation!

Kantishna Wilderness Trails Tour An up-close, interpretive tour through the heart of Denali National Park!

Kantishna wilderness trails bus tour.

• Interesting and informative narration throughout the entire length of the road
• Receive an expert education on all things Denali!
• Get an up close encounter with Denali's premier points of interest including Wonder Lake, Igloo Mountain, Tolkat River
• Travel to the historic mining town of Kantishna
• A hearty lunch will be provided at the exclusive Kantishna Roadhouse
• Fun activities to take part in once you reach the Kantishna area - gold panning, hiking, or relaxing in the saloon or on the patio at the Roadhouse
• Possible opportunities to see Denali, the tallest mountain in North America! (weather permitting)

Call to Book: 855-245-1289

Description

This tour wil NOT run during the 2024 season due to the in-park road closure at mile marker 42. Please check back for the 2025 season.

Want to get a truly immersive experience in Denali National Park? The Kantishna Wilderness Trails Bus Tour is the perfect opportunity to do just that. This top-rated Denali Park tour is an all-day adventure that starts at the Denali Village near the park entrance and allows you to experience the entire 90+ miles of the Denali Park Road, enjoying all of the sights, sounds and scenery along the way.

The Kantishna Wilderness Trails Tour is one of the most popular tours in the park and for very good reason. This comprehensive park experience will give you an up-close and intimate view of the flora and fauna and the breathtaking scenery in the heart of Denali National Park. You will also be treated to a hearty lunch in the town of Kantishna, and have a little time to explore the area or simply relax by the river for a little while before returning back to the park entrance.

This tour takes advantage of the entire stretch of the park road, and gives you a comprenensive and detailed view of all of the wonderful diversity and scenery that Denali National Park encompasses. On clear days you will enjoy amazing views of the Alaska Range and if you are lucky some stunning views of Denali Peak.

Scenic beauty abounds on this tour with opportunities to see some of the parks most popular features such as Polychrome Pass, Igloo Mountain, Wonder Lake and of course the quaint town of Kantishna.

The Wilderness Trails Tour is also a great option for viewing Alaska and Denali's most popular and sought after wildlife. You will have lots of opportunities to see all sorts of wildlife in its native habitat in the wilderness surounding the road. Including opportunities to see the big five...moose, grizzly, dall sheep, wolves and caribou!

Terms & policies

Cancellation:.

Prior to 60 days of excursion date, a $25.00 service fee per seat is charged.

Between 60 & 30 days of excursion date, forfeiture of 50% of total charge.

Within 30 days of excursion date, forfeiture of full payment.

Cancellation for any reason is subject to this cancellation policy. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Denali Backcountry Adventure Tour Experience a Guided Wilderness Safari 92 miles deep into Denali National Park!

Denali backcountry adventure tour.

• Travel the entire 90 miles stretch of road
• Jaw-dropping scenery and many wildlife viewing opportunities
• Narration from your local expert guide
• Many photo opportunities along the way
• Enjoy a tasty lunch in the old mining town of Kantishna

The Denali Backcountry Adventure Tour allows you to explore the entire 92 mile stretch of road from the Denali Park entrance to the town of Kantishna on a comprehensive 13-hour national park experience. This tour is a wonderful opportunity to see the beautiful scenery in the heart of Denali National Park as well as the amazing wildlife that calls the park home.

Your driver and guide for the day is a local expert on Denali's geology, history and wildlife. During the tour your guide will point out many points of interest along the way sharing fascinating facts and history about the park.

Your guide is also an expert at spotting wildlife in the wilderness surrounding the park road and will be sure to point out wildlife that you otherwise might have missed.

The tour makes several stops along the road at significant points of interest and scenic viewpoints. And at the end of the road you will enjoy an unforgettable creekside lunch at the Miners Day lodge in Kantishna.

Terms & Payment Policies:

Unless otherwise noted, all rates are per person based on double occupancy and subject to adjustments without notice. Taxes and other applicable fees are extra.

Major credit cards are accepted such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. Full Payment is due at time of booking.

A fee of $50 per person, is applied for changes made less than 45 days before your booked date.

Cancellation Policy:

From 60 to 46 days prior to arrival, forfeiture of deposit

45 to 0 days prior to arrival, non-refundable

Due to the abbreviated season and remote location, the purchase of travel insurance is strongly recommend.

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Experience Denali on a Guided Tour

Breathtakingly beautiful, alaska.

With over six million acres of pure, rugged wilderness at your feet, Denali National Park and Preserve provides visitors with the opportunity to explore, discover, and learn about this rare and incredible place. Vast, untouched landscapes and the plants and wildlife that inhabit them intertwine to create a truly unique experience. Whether you're looking to explore on foot or with a Driver Naturalist at the helm, we're here to help you make the most of this experience of a lifetime!

Frequently Asked Questions

You've got questions, we've got answers!

It's easy to get here, but most find it hard to leave. See our directions and travel tips.

Experience Denali On Bike

Biking is a great way to experience Denali National Park & Preserve! Learn more about our Transit Bus Bike Racks and Bus Bike accommodations.

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An insider’s guide to Denali National Park and Preserve

Denali is reflected in a small pond just east of Wonder Lake in Denali National Park. (Bob Hallinen / ADN archive)

Denali National Park and Preserve is named for the nation’s mightiest mountain, but the 6-million-acre park encompasses so much more. Denali has options for every type of visitor. Whether you’re an avid backpacker looking to forge new trails or a relaxed traveler content to watch for animals on a tour, you’re sure to experience jaw-dropping scenery.

Getting there

Located roughly four hours north of Anchorage and two hours south of Fairbanks on the George Parks Highway, it’s an easy drive to the heart of the state — after all, there’s only one road entrance to the park.

If you don’t have your own wheels, here’s how to get there:

Bus: One option is Alaska/Yukon Trails, a passenger van company that can transport up to 16 passengers. They run from Anchorage to Talkeetna to Denali to Fairbanks and the same route in reverse. Expect to leave town early for either departure and to get in around lunchtime. For a ride in a deluxe motorcoach, one option is The Park Connection, where travelers can either book tickets from Anchorage or Seward. Another is the Alaska Shuttle, which runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks, allowing passengers to get out at any point along the journey and rejoin via a later bus.

A tour bus motors down the park road in Denali National Park. (Bob Hallinen / ADN archive)

Train: Taking the train (the Alaska Railroad turns 101 this season) adds about three hours of travel time to your journey, but it goes through wilderness only accessible on the track. Plus, there’s a dining and bar car, knowledgeable guides and dome cars with sweeping views of the mountains and valleys along the way. The train makes a stop on the nearly 1,000-foot-long railroad bridge over an enormous gorge known as Hurricane Gulch. On a clear day, you can see Denali from there. (A more economical option both in terms of funds and time is taking the rails one way and a motorcoach back. Bonus: You’ll see even more of the state.) Check out alaskarailroad.com for more information on riding the train.

Getting around

The National Park Service maintains the only road leading into the park. It’s a 92-mile, mostly gravel route running parallel to the Alaska Range to what was once the mining community of Kantishna. Normally, from late May to early September, visitors can drive the first 12.5 miles of the road to Savage River with just their park pass.

To go farther than the dozen-ish miles allowed to personal vehicles, travelers have to be on foot, bike or riding on one of the school-bus-style shuttles. You can hop on a cheaper, more flexible bus tour that allows you to get off and on and explore on your own, or you can take a narrated bus tour with a driver who crafts an itinerary for you. There are also courtesy buses that serve the portion of the park road that is publicly drivable, which includes stops at the sled dog kennel and Visitors Center.

For summer 2024, the road will only be open to Mile 43 due to rock slides (the road is expected to remain closed through summer 2026). Be sure to check the National Park Service site for updates.

‘Will the mountain be out?’: Where to see Denali

Rising 20,310 feet, Denali can be seen from parts of Anchorage to Fairbanks on a clear day. But clear days can be hard to come by. National Park Service rangers stress to visitors that the mammoth mountain is out only one of every three days (a rule that isn’t hard and fast — it could be out for days at a time and then hidden for a month straight).

Even with its great height, the mountain isn’t visible from the park entrance, the surrounding campgrounds or nearby hotels. Miles 9 and 11 are your first chances of spotting it, the latter spot having a pullout and interpretive waysides with information about the cliff. There are many other spots along the road that allow for peeks of the peak. While the most iconic view of Denali is at Reflection Pond, near Mile 85, the road to that view is closed in 2024, unless you’re staying at one of the fly-in-only accommodations in Kantishna.

A grizzly bear digs for roots while its cub rests on a gravel bar in the Teklanika River in Denali National Park and Preserve. (Bob Hallinen / ADN archive)

For sure open in 2024

Sled dog kennel: Denali is the only national park in the U.S. where rangers do winter patrols via dog sled. But during the few precious months when there isn’t snow on the ground, the dogs have different duties: educating tourists, posing for pictures and getting belly rubs. Their kennel is free to visit, and their handlers are available to chat about what goes into making a sled dog. (Bonus: There’s usually a litter of puppies there training to become full-fledged sled dogs.)

Denali National Park Visitors Center: If you come in by train, the visitors center will be one of the first buildings you see. It’s the main information center in the park, with exhibits on the park’s history and the animals you might see in the boreal forest outside its doors. There are also various ranger-led activities and hikes that launch from there.

Adventure sports and flightseeing: Various operators tout all manners of escape from their storefronts on Glitter Gulch, a half-mile stretch of road near the park entrance. Activities range from ATV rides and ziplining near the park to rafting down the Nenana River or flightseeing around the mountain. Shop around to find an itinerary that matches your interest and budget.

Wonder Lake: This is where Ansel Adams’ famous photograph of the mountain was taken. When Denali isn’t shrouded in clouds, its image is mirrored in the water below, making Wonder Lake a favorite spot for photographers. However, because it’s located at Mile 85 of the Denali Park Road, it’s only accessible to those staying in Kantishna this season.

A caribou grazes along the Park Road near Wonder Lake in Denali National Park and Preserve. (NPS Photo/Emily Mesner)

Reopening after 2026

The National Park Service has announced that the road will remain closed at Mile 43 through the 2026 season. If you’re planning ahead for a later summer, however, you can add Eielson Visitor Center to your list. Located at Mile 66, you can reach the Eielson Visitor Center by shuttle. On a clear day, the views of Denali are stunning. Three maintained trails spider out from the center, though hikers are welcome to go off path. Inside the center is also a small art gallery with works depicting the wilderness of Denali.

Due to the Park Road closure, Eielson Visitor Center will be closed at least through 2026. Be sure to check with the National Park Service for updates on when the Visitor Center will reopen.

Where to stay

There are four campgrounds in Denali National Park that will be accessible in 2024: Riley Creek (at the park entrance), Savage River (13 miles in), Sanctuary River (23 miles) and Teklanika River (29 miles).

The sites have anywhere from seven to 53 tent-only campsites, with the exception of Riley Creek, which has 150 sites suitable for camping and RVs. Considering how few campsites there are in the park, we highly recommended you make a reservation ahead of time. For more information, go to reservedenali.com .

There are also many hotel, cabin, B&B and hostel options for visitors to Denali National Park. Many are clustered just outside the park entrance, a few are found at the end of the park road and more are located in neighboring towns.

While remote, the accommodations at the end of the park road in Kantishna are far from roughing it. Places like Denali Backcountry Lodge, Kantishna Roadhouse and Camp Denali may be 92 miles into the national park, but they don’t skimp on creature comforts like running water, electricity, heat and private bathrooms (granted, there’s no Wi-Fi or cell reception). Generally much spendier than the options at the park entrance, these lodges are usually all-inclusive. During the 2024 season, these accommodations are fly-in only.

Outside the park, your options vary widely. Crow’s Nest is made up of terraced rows of cozy cabins tucked up on a hillside, offering exponentially better views of Mount Healy the higher you go, and Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is one of the biggest lodging options with high-end amenities, including an espresso bar, a dinner theater and laundry services. More lodging options can be found at denalichamber.com .

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that the Denali Park Road and the Eielson Visitor Center will reopen in summer 2026. According to the National Park Service, the Visitor Center and Park Road at Mile 43 are expected to remain closed through summer 2026.

Riding The East Fork Transit In Denali National Park

W hen we visited Denali , you could only reach mile marker 43 in the park. In the past, you have been able to go to mile marker 92. But a mudslide took out part of the road. It sounds like it will be years before it is fixed. This post will share all about riding the East Fork Transit In Denali National Park

It is 100% still worth it to go on the bus ride 43 miles into the park! Below we share all the details on taking the bus.

East Fork Transit Tickets

There were 2 tour options – 1 being a wildlife tour and the other a more information tour. Both of these would have cost over $100 for adults and over $50 for kids. Where the East Fork Transit was only $32 for adults and kids 15 and under were free.

I confirmed that the 2 tour options and the East Fork Transit all go on the same road and the answer was yes. That made the decision easy for me and we opted to do the East Fork Transit.

We bought our tickets at the Riley Creek Mercantile and met at the Denali Bus Depot (there is plenty of parking) 20 minutes before our departure time.

Here are the 3 different options for the bus rides:

• The East Fork Transit (kids under 15 are free).
• The Wildlife Tour Bus
• The Narrated Tour Bus

Riding The Bus

We got on the bus. Lucky for us, it wasn’t full, so we were able to spread out a bit. After a short safety overview with our driver, we were on our way. Note – seatbelts are required on National Park buses.

Our bus driver was also a tour guide – which he said they discourage but he would do it anyways.

From my understanding, they all do this in some format or another. He didn’t by any means give us a full-on tour. But he shared a lot of information as we were driving into the park.

The other thing they tell you is to yell STOP if you see any animals. The drivers view is focused on the road so he asks all the passengers to help with spotting animals.

The goal is to see all 5: Bear, Moose, Dall Sheep, Wolf and Caribou. But most people don’t see that since seeing a wolf is hard!

On our way out to East Fork we saw multiple bear. Though most of them from a distance so be sure to have your binoculars with you. Dall Sheep – again the distance with their white coats sticking out against the mountain and Caribou.

The bus stops about 1 hour into the trip from the Bus Depot. Everyone can get off to go to the bathroom and take in the view. There is not a bathroom on the bus so this is a good thing to keep in mind.

From there you get back on the bus and drive another 60-90 minutes to get to East Fork. East Fork is a turnaround place for the bus and is right on the river. At this point you are welcome to get out to use the porta potty and/or to head down and go hiking on the river bed.

East Fork Stop

A set of stairs takes you down to the river bed. Before heading down, a sign says Grizzly Bears are in this area, so be prepared. If you stay on the river bed it is a wide open area so you would see if anything was there.

BUT always be sure to have bear spray if you plan to head down and out on a hike.

You can walk as far along the river as you like. Just be sure you know the bus schedule and when the last bus comes for the day so you don’t get left behind!

We chose to head down to the river bank and walked around for about 30 minutes before heading back up. They do have a bus that just stays there. Which you can get in and sit down in to get out of the wind while you wait for the next bus to pick you up.

When we were there, there was a person to check in with to tell them how many people we had and that we needed to get on a new bus. I wasn’t sure how this process would go. But we were able to get on to the next bus that came without a problem.

From there we headed back to the Bus Depot. On the way back we saw more bear, Caribou super close up – they walked right across the road in front of us and the highlight was seeing a fox!! The fox also walked right towards us and across the road.

We saw more Dall Sheep as well. On the way back the driver recommended you get off at a point called Cathedral if you wanted to do some off trail hiking. Unlike most National Parks where they tell you not to go off trail. Denali National Park encourages it and it is really the only way to hike on the road into the park.

Hiking On The Bus Ride

The driver told us that there were run off areas and that those make for great hiking trails. We opted not to get off. I was worried about getting on another bus and how long we would have to wait.

But if you did choose to do this you just tell the driver to stop – really anywhere you want along the road and they will drop you off. When you are done just flag down a green bus you see and they will pick you up.

It is an interesting concept for hiking in a National Park!

We made it back to the Bus Depot and the whole trip was about 5 1/2 hours. They had told us it would be 5 hours – and we added the 1/2 hour by stopping to walk on the river bed. If you never got off the bus (besides the bathroom stops) I would expect it to take 5 hours.

I am glad we opted to do the East Fork Transit ride since there were times when people in our family fell asleep on the bus and if you have paid for a tour you don’t want to be doing that!

When in Denali be sure to get on one of the buses and hopefully when you are there you can go all the way back the full 92 miles into the park.

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The post Riding The East Fork Transit In Denali National Park appeared first on Crazy Family Adventure .

4 Day Denali National Park Itinerary With Kids

Here is our 4-day Denali National Park Itinerary. We were on a 6-week road trip, so our trip included downtime to do some work, hang out at our RV, and enjoy a campfire.

If you needed to, you could shorten this to a 3-day itinerary.

We took this trip with 4 kids ages: 11, 13, 13 and 15.

You can only drive 15 miles into the park with your own vehicle. From there, you must get on a tour or the transit bus to go further into the park. (as of now you can’t go all the way into the park in the bus/tour due to a landslide – but you can go to the East Fork area which is 43 miles – compared to 92 into the park).

This means it takes some planning to see the park but it is worth it! Plus there are a variety of things you can do in the main area of the park that you can drive to.

Table of Contents

Arrival Day 1:

• This is not an easy trail, but it is beautiful. If the weather cooperates, you can even see Denali in the distance on this hike!
• A fun brewery located a few miles outside of Denali National Park.

• Park at the Visitors Center
• If you don’t want to hike, you can also get a bus from the visitor center to the sled dog demonstration.
• Same – you don’t have to hike back you can take the bus.
• Eat Lunch outside the Visitor Center area – either your picnic lunch or buy lunch there
• It’s a pretty easy trail with some elevation gain that takes you to a beaver dam!
• Head back to enjoy your campsite and have dinner at your camper

• Click here to learn more: Riding The East Fork Transit In Denali National Park

Note that even if you can’t go back 92 miles into the park, the East Fork Transit Bus is a long trip – you can definitely get up early and do something in the morning before getting on the bus if you would like.

But if you are like us, you will be tired when you return – something about being on a bus all day does that to us!

• Mt Healy Trail—This is a harder trail that takes you up the mountain the whole way, but it is worth it when you get to the top for the amazing views.
• Get ice cream at the Mercantile to reward yourself for a well-done hike!

Where To Stay

We stayed at the Riley Campground in our RV, and it was a great spot to stay – we were in the park and close to everything.

Here are the places the National Park recommends that you stay – all located outside of the park.

To learn more about Denali National Park and planning a trip here check our out Denali page here.

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• Recent Posts

• 4 Day Denali National Park Itinerary With Kids - May 1, 2024
• Riding The East Fork Transit In Denali National Park - April 22, 2024
• Visiting Denali National Park With Kids - April 22, 2024

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Alerts in effect, how to explore denali national park and preserve, child restraint information.

Alaska State Law requires children to be in a car or booster seat as follows:

• Children younger than 12 months of age or less than 20 pounds (9 kilograms) must be in a rear facing infant seat.
• Children older than 12 months and younger than 4 years, and at least 20 pounds (9 kilograms), must be in a child restraint.
• Children aged 4 through 7 years who are less than 57 inches (1.4 meters) tall or less than 65 pounds (30 kilograms) must be in a booster seat. Booster seats are no longer required for children of this age once they reach 57 inches (1.4 meters) tall or weigh 65+ pounds (30 kilograms).
• Parents are responsible for providing the appropriate car seat.

Day hiking or backpacking may require extra logistical planning if your children require a car seat.

Beyond the Savage River Check Station at mile 15 of the Park Road, you'll need to be on a bus, bicycle, or on foot. Prior to the 1972 completion of the George Parks Highway (Alaska Route 3), which is the main travel artery into interior Alaska, visitation to Denali National Park and Preserve was fairly low. Anticipation of major increases in traffic resulting from a direct route to the park prompted park officials to implement a mass transit system beyond Mile 15 on the Denali Park Road. To provide for visitor access and enjoyment of the world class resources, our concessioner, Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture , offers several types of bus services along the park road.

Extending 92 miles from the park entrance to its terminus in the old mining community of Kantishna, this mostly-gravel road traverses boreal forests and sub-arctic tundra. The eastern half of the road (from Mile 0–43) crosses rolling mountainsides and scenic river valleys as it meanders through spectacular vistas and prime wildlife viewing areas. By riding a bus, you help to reduce traffic congestion and to protect the natural resources of the park. Even more information on how the park road is managed, as it relates to vehicle traffic, can be found in the Denali Park Road Vehicle Management Plan .

Beyond Buses: Recommended Itineraries

Planning a trip to Denali can be a big undertaking! Just getting to the park can take quite a while, and it is distinctly different from many national parks, so even seasoned park travelers can be unsure how to plan their trip.

Use the table below to start thinking about what might work well for you, given the amount of time you'll be here. There are plenty of other things to do than what is listed below - this is just a starting point.

Last updated: March 20, 2024

Other Trip Planning Info

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PO Box 9 Denali Park, AK 99755

907 683-9532 A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller.

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News Release

Denali park road opening to teklanika on april 24, 2024.

Denali National Park and Preserve will open the Park Road to private vehicle traffic as far as Mile 30, the Teklanika Rest Area, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The recent warmer weather and low snow levels in the park helped the spring road crew in their efforts to open the Denali Park Road. However, visitors may still encounter snow, ice, and mud on some portions of the road, particularly in shaded sections.

The road will remain open, weather permitting, through May 19, 2024. The following day, May 20, transit buses will start running for the season and the road will close to private vehicles at Mile 15, the Savage River. The Teklanika Rest Area is still wet but accessible. The restrooms at Teklanika, the Savage River, and Mountain Vista will be available for public use. All campgrounds west of park headquarters will remain closed until May 20. There will be heavy equipment traffic on the road from the park entrance to East Fork as a part of the Pretty Rocks bridge project, and road users are advised to be aware of their presence and use caution when on the roadway.

The Park Road is closed to all entry from the East Fork Bridge to the Polychrome Overlook location. There is no bicycle/pedestrian access through the Pretty Rocks Landslide and the road is not plowed on the other side. Anyone wishing to access parts of the road beyond the closure, which is accessible only by hiking around Polychrome Mountain, should expect challenging conditions and be prepared to be completely self-sufficient as emergency response capabilities will be very limited and no facilities beyond the slide are open. Please monitor the park website for up-to-date closure information.

Additionally, a bear capture operation is planned next month from May 6-9, and will necessitate a closure for all bikers and pedestrians along the park road west of the Teklanika River bridge, as well as all backcountry units west of the Teklanika River. The closure will start May 6 and remain in effect until three days post capture of the last bear, so possibly through May 12. The capture operation allows the park’s wildlife biologists to check collars on young and growing bears and to replace any collars that might have dropped off or malfunctioned. Check the park website at www.nps.gov/dena for possible earlier opening of the area.

Keep in mind that bears are becoming active after the long winter. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Never feed any wildlife. Keep all food secure where animals can’t get it. Stay at least 300 yards away from bears and 25 yards from all other wildlife. Check out the Denali National Park website for hiking and biking safety information .

Weather conditions can change rapidly at this time of the year, and the road may open and close several times. Visitors are encouraged to contact the park for updated road and weather information .

Last updated: April 24, 2024

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Contact info, mailing address:.

PO Box 9 Denali Park, AK 99755

907 683-9532 A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller.

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City Sightseeing Moscow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

• Hop-on or hop-off at any of Moscow’s main highlights
• Views of Moscow from an open-top, double-decker bus
• Learn about the city with recorded commentary
• Visit Red Square, Alexander Gardens, and more
• Bus pass inclusions: 48 or 72 hour bus pass + walking tour
• Boat pass inclusions: 60 minute boat trip + walking tour
• Bus & Boat pass inclusions: 48 hour bus pass + 60 minute boat trip + walking tour
• Vouchers valid for 12 months
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Location Name: The route begins at Red Square but you can board at any stop
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Red Route runs from 10:00am - 6:00pm, every 25 minutes. Duration - 60 minutes. First stop - Bolotnaya Square.
• Most travelers can participate
• Green Route runs from 10:00am - 6:00pm, every 60 minutes. Duration - 120 minutes. First stop - Bolotnaya Square.
• Orange Route (currently suspended) runs from 10:30am - 6:30pm, every 30 minutes. Duration - 140 minutes. First stop - Museum of Cosmonautics
• Walking tour runs daily at 10:45am. Duration - 2 hours 30 minutes. Meeting point - Next to monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
• Boat tour operates 5th May - 20th October, from 11:30am - 6:30pm. Duration - 60 minutes. Meeting point - Zaryadye Park Pier.
• Mobile and paper vouchers are accepted for this tour.
• Vouchers can be redeemed at any of the stops along the routes.
• Vouchers are valid for 12 months
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• DebbJ 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to get oriented to Moscow We started our Moscow experience with the hop on hop off. It was a great way to get orientated to the city. The additional optional tours were also good, we did the Metro tour which I highly recommend, we also paid for the Kremlin tour. The hop on hop off has three different lines all included. Only fault was the bus was sometimes full and you had to wait for the next one which was about 15 minutes (in the cold). Read more Written January 6, 2020
• UmaDelhi 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 2 days are required Very very good audio guides- the voice quality was also good and also the anecdotes of history were brilliant. Russia is truly beautiful Read more Written September 1, 2019
• BeverleyT 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Boat trip - TERRIBLE We got on the bus, but couldn’t buy a 1 day ticket. They suggested we do the 1 hour boat trip and said they would drop us to the dock. 1) they dropped us in the wrong place 2) they were lost because of the marathon Then the boat, after we finally found it: 1) stinking fumes, actually gagging 2) no commentary, in fact, no interaction unless you begged 3) offered us 2 for 1 icecreams as they had melted and refrozen as the fridge gets turned off at night Honestly, we enjoyed the afternoon in the boat but spent all of it laughing at just how awful it was!!! The worst thing in Moscow! Read more Written August 18, 2019
• niruDurbs 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Not the best value for the price The ticket is quite expensive and covers three different routes in a 24 hour period. The red route is quite exciting and takes about an hour. The bus comes every 10 to 15 minutes. However the other two routes take about two hours each and buses come every 30 to 40 minute period. If the bus is full then you have to wait at the stop for the next bus. So personally I feel that not much can be seen this way. I definitely was not impressed. However it must be noted that one can learn a lot about the history of Moscow Read more Written July 3, 2019
• IrishCueTravel 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles SLO Motion Not all their fault , but if you plan on trying this Attraction be patient! Traffic is a big problem first and foremost. But to add additional unnecessary delays; the bus stops at each site for 15 minutes at a time or More ! I gave up half way through ( 45 minutes) ; and walked back to the starting point in 10 minutes! Read more Written June 4, 2019
• michael g 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Worst hop on/hop off EVER Waited for 40 minutes in the cold rain for a bus that never came... unacceptable. Traffic is so bad that when on a bus the previos day it was barely moving. My advice-get a subway pass and a good travel guide book and do sightseeing on your own! Read more Written October 24, 2018
• Rebecca J 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Boat element was excellent We purchased a ticket online for the boat and bus for 2 days. The boat element was wonderful, we saw some amazing parts of Moscow along the river side. The bus element was very disappointing as it only started at 10am and was finished by 6:30pm. It was extremely warm when we were there and it would have been great to do the tour in the cool of the day. There was also no air conditioning in the down stairs part of the bus. They also turned away passengers at one of the stops as the bus was full and there was not another bus for 40 minutes. Read more Written September 26, 2018
• Monismith2014 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles it was very enjoyable it was very interesting seeing things we saw walking around from the bus. so much more to see. we had a lot better view of the attractions from the height of the bus.also the bus was reasonable slow which gave us time enough for photos. it stopped at sparrow hill for 10 minutes for picture taking Read more Written September 20, 2018
• fati666222 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles The best way to see Moscow We did both routes but if you have little time then only do the red route.Its very informative and it takes you to the important sights.The staff on the bus are very friendly and helpful. Read more Written August 20, 2018
• adolfo17 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles The worst hope-on hope-off service I've ever seen Diffiult to understand the route maps and stops. Staff wouldn't help either. Lengthy stops. No air conditioning. Read more Written August 4, 2018
• Peter F 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Two Routes There is a short red route which depending on the traffic takes about an hour. The route is generally around the Red Square area. The ear phones were small and sometimes the commentary did not link up with the sites you were seeing. The green bus takes you on a longer route and ours took two and a half hours due to the heavy traffic. I would not recommend this trip unless it is raining or you want to fill in time. The sights we saw were nothing outstanding with plenty of time at certain stops for photos. Also the driver stop for a bite to eat at one stop. Read more Written July 30, 2018
• Bernardo P 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Boat Trips Moscow, Russia Yesterday, I booked a boat trip with the GetYourGuide.com web page and was totally horrible, didn’t have audio guide as it shows on the picture-Nobody Talk-. The girl on the picture-light blue bag-ask for 100 Rubles for show her the QR Code while I had the Booking and PIN number cause she must see the vessel name-Didn’t say nothing and after she said board any vessel. I suggest take the trip and pay on site, avoid fake internet pages, there are many other services with a lot of entertainment, don’t take this ones. Read more Written July 14, 2018
• Kathrynowl91 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Good way to see some sites We usually do these tours when we travel. They get you round and you see the sight . The traffic is quite heavy so it is a bit slow but there is not a lot they can do about it. We only did the red route. Just a note people don’t queue here when the bus comes it’s a bit of a free for all. Read more Written July 13, 2018
• Daniyal91 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Was Ok.! Started our tour of moscow from here, We had got the 2 Day Pass with the boat ride. The route and the map was good but not well managed. The bus didn't stop at many points. Were were unaware a couple of times at what point we were and missed them. Headphones and maps were provided. Would recommend one should check out the route map before going and decide which places to stop in advance, this way one can manage and enjoy the tour more and us it more effectively.! The boat ride was Ok, a little crowded. No guide provided, just a boat ride with restaurant service Read more Written July 12, 2018
• WilliamDyer 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Poor service on boat and too many waiting times on buses For the price, you should expect at minimum English speaking tour guides with decent experience, but at least in my case that did not happen both in buses and boats. And in the boat even tough we were 90% English speaking tourist at least, the tour guide spoke 95% of the time in Russia, and only 3 sentences in English, I really counted how many times she spoke in English. And at the end she asks us if we have any questions? Of course I told her I couldn’t ask her anything since I didn’t understand 95% of what she was saying. The boat tour is not worth it, just take the bus that would be my advice. Second minus is the waiting times, in the boat they made us wait an hour before it departed, and in many stops with the buses waiting times of 20-30 minutes. I actually think I lost that day around 2 hours doing nothing. Be careful. Read more Written July 10, 2018

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

City Sightseeing Moscow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise provided by City Sightseeing Moscow

Moscow Tourist Bus

Discover the different routes and stops of Moscow's tourist bus and explore the city comfortably enjoying panoramic views of its main monuments.

Routes & stops

The Moscow sightseeing bus has two routes with 46 stops around the main tourist areas of the Russian capital , throughout which you can enjoy recorded commentary in English about the places you are passing through and the city's history .

Some of the unmissable stops for the Moscow bus are: Kropotkinskaya metro station, the  Pushkin Fine Art Museum , the Red October factory and the Alexander Gardens. And of course, no trip to Moscow would be complete without getting off at Red Square to explore the heart of Moscow, admire the Kremlin , St Basil's Cathedral , and the Moscow River.

You can check out the route with all the stops by clicking on the following link:

• Routes and stops on the Moscow bus .
• The ticket with 2-day validity costs € 33 ( US$ 35.20) for adults and € 30 ( US$ 32) for children between 7 and 13 years old. The bus ticket for children under 7 years old costs € 16 ( US$ 17.10).

Operating times & frequency

• Red line : from 10 am to 6 pm, every 20 minutes. The whole route lasts an hour.
• Green line : from 10 am to 6 pm, every 40 minutes. The whole route lasts two hours.

Buy your ticket online

Check out the prices for the Moscow Tourist Bus and buy your tickets online in advance via the following link:

• Moscow Hop-on Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus

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