Tips for Visiting Denali with Kids

Only 30% of visitors to Denali National Park and Preserve actually see Mt McKinley, recently renamed as Denali, due to low clouds. That figure shouldn't discourage you from visiting, though,if you ever find yourself in Alaska, as there are quite a few ways to explore.

Getting There

 If possible, I highly recommend taking the Alaska Railroad to the Denali stop. Riding the train is a fun way to sit back, enjoy some food and drink, while taking in the beauty of interior Alaska. Each and every single staff member was friendly, chatty, and helpful. There are dining cars and cafe cars, along with cars that have enclosed, glass observation decks on top.

Tourist season in Denali is roughly May – September, depending on the weather. With such a short tourist season, hotels and outfitters involved in Denali tourism have created an easily managed system so that all the details are covered.

These details include:

• Our luggage was checked to our Denali Cabins from the Fairbanks train station and waiting at the reception desk when we arrived for our stay in Denali.

• All of our activities we chose to do while in Denali were booked through the Denali Cabins reception desk. 

• Every outfitter for the activity we had selected had their own shuttle bus that picked us up from Denali Cabins and dropped us off. Each included a precise timetable of pickup, duration of trip, and drop off.

Time Out for Kid Tips:  While you may read about the need for a car seat for your child according to Alaska laws when riding a shuttle bus, in my experience, not once was I asked about having my child's car seat or my child's size for one to be provided. We never used one, even though we trekked it from Fairbanks with the cargo on the train. There are standard shuttle bus seat belts.

Ways to Explore

Denali ATV Adventure See the Alaska Mountain Range while powering over boulders and speeding through puddles. There is a 10 mile by 30 mile rectangular cut-out in the North Eastern part of Denali National Park where ATV riding is legal. This area doesn't belong to the park, but three sides of it are surrounded by the park. Here is a good map of the area.

During our visit, rain about an hour before our trip making for a fun, wet ride. My daughter continually asked for me to make the water go higher. On the final puddle before the end of 1.5 hour ride, I hit a deep one just right making it splash over the cart which elicited a nod of approval from one of the tour guides when we finished. You are responsible if any damage occurs to the vehicle, but they do encourage you to have fun. Booster seats or 5 point harnesses are provided for kids.

Time Out for Kid Tips: Highly recommend bringing a raincoat and bug spray

Jeff King's Husky Homestead Jeff King has participated in the Iditarod 26 times and is a four- time champion. He has no plans of quitting. This man has such enthusiasm, living and breathing dog sledding. As soon as you arrive, a puppy is placed in your arms to provide socialization training for the puppies. The 2 week old Alaskan (not Siberian) husky placed in my daughter's arms will forever be known as "Skunk" to us, as that is what she named it due to its markings.  As hard as it is to let go, these adorable, snuggly puppies must remain, and not go home with you, to train for their future Iditarod win.

During the tour you watch Jeff King's dogs in training and learn from him, not a staff member, what it is like to train for and be in the race for the Iditarod.

Junior Ranger Badge: If time is limited, but you still want your child to see and learn a little bit about Denali National Park, be sure to pick up a book at the Visitor's Center for your child to earn their Junior Ranger Badge. This book can easily be completed while on the free shuttle bus to mile 15 into the park. Mile 15 is the end of the paved road into the park of the 92 miles you can explore. Other shuttles or tour bus arrangements need to be made if you want to go further than that point.

By mile 15 my daughter completed most of the activities in the book to get her Junior Ranger Badge, and we saw a wild Caribou during our pit stop there. You can stay longer and take a later shuttle. I was told there is a great trail right by the ranger hut.

When returning to the Visitor's Center, be sure to check in with a Ranger who will go over the book with your child and swear your child in with a pledge and badge for becoming a Junior Ranger. 

Time Out for Kid Tips: Be sure to get your National Park Passport book stamped.