Denali National Park

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

Has anyone stayed in the park? If so, which lodge/camp/etc. and what did you think?

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

We stayed just outside the park at McKinley Lodge. It was a nice place and has an onsight restaurant. River runs behind the property.

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

Has anyone stayed in the park? If so, which lodge/camp/etc. and what did you think?

Dh and I did Denali Park 3 or 4 days before our cruise on Holland America. The cruise line made all the arrangements but I remember staying at Mc Kinley Lodge. We took an airplane ride around Mt McKInley and it was awesome. It was the 1st clear day after 5 days of fog and the pilots were all anxious to fly again. Ours was as excited as we were. I also remember DH tipping the pilot $80.

We also took a helicopter ride to a glacier where we got out and walked on the glacier. I had tears streaming down my cheeks when we landed and the pilot thought I was sick. I was crying so hard that I couldn't speak. I was just so awe struck...no words in the English language to describe the moment.

Another excursion we took was a wildlife tundra bus tour. Scary roads but well worth the money.I don't think you will be sorry with any tour you choose.

As an aside I'll tell a funny story. DH is past 50 so he was having a slight personal problem on the bus tour (need I say more?). Restrooms were few and FAR between. After grumbling for quite a while he said, "if this dam* bus driver stops for 1 more f***ing chipmunk, I'm going to scream." If you are an over 50 male, you may want to make a different choice.

[TimeshareVon Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimeshareVon]

WOW I can't believe it's been nearly 9 mos since my last time here at TS4Ms.

We will be camping INSIDE Denali NP on our upcoming trip in August, staying at TEK which is 29 miles inside the park on the Park Road.

[TimeshareVon Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimeshareVon]

Updates - Staying (Camping) Inside Denali NP

WOW . . . I don't get over here often enough!

We did camp at TEK (MM29) inside Denali NP in Aug 2010 and it was fantastic. For that trip we have a 29' RV which was very comfortable for our entire 15 days, but especially while in Denali NP.

More recently, I was back at TEK for the Denali Road Lottery Weekend, car camping in a big Suburban Truck. It was just me, with a sleeping bag and supplies for 4 nights . . . a great weekend in the park.

For more information, I've written journals w/photos for IgoUgo.com:

Sept 2011 and
Aug 2010

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

We have postponed our RV trip to 2013, but this coming summer we are taking a Cruise with a 3 day extension Land trip.

[Tia Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tia]

Our 21yo son is going up this summer to work in the park at the resort. Will be interesting time for him am sure. He said he'd gotten his expensive bus ticket from Anchorage in, not sure what the $ amount but no discounts.