Best Areas & Lodgings (+Prices!)

Home to the highest peak in North America, this national park is a place you’ll never forget visiting! But before that, you’ll need to learn a few things about where to stay in Denali!

So hop on this guide and find out whether you should stay inside or outside the park, which are the top lodging options in the park and the main tourist towns around it.

In short, Healy is the best area to stay near Denali, as it’s the closest town to the park (unless you are staying inside the park that is). In this post I will help you book the best accommodation for your budget!

By the way, I’d highly recommend booking your hotels whether inside or outside of Denali, early! As with most national parks in the country, the accommodations sell out months in advance.

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Want to book right now? Then browse through this list of the best hotels, all located in Healy: 

Here’s a map that will help you visualize all the areas to stay in Denali that I will be talking about in this post:

Inside or outside Denali?

To help you decide on whether to stay inside or outside Denali National Park, I made these quick pros and cons tables, so let’s have a look:

	Pros	Cons
Inside Denali	you don’t have to spend time out in traffic in the morning to get to the park– easy access to the park’s attractions and wildlife	not many accommodations so prices are pretty high
Outside Denali	cheaper accommodation, more availability for last-minute booking	might get some traffic on your way to Denali

Denali’s Park Entrance

The park has only one entrance, so on that side, it’s not as confusing as the other national parks that have so many entrances. There, you’ll find the visitor center (map), where you can get your brochures, maps and ask any questions that you might have.

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1. Where to stay inside Denali

Planning to stay inside Denali National Park? Then you’ll definitely want to check out this section where I included all the types of accommodations you’ll find in the park.

1.1 Lodges 

If you want to be comfy and sleep like a baby, then check out these lodges set inside the park:

NOTE: All these accommodations inside the park are only accessible by flight from the entrance of the park. You’ll find all the logistics regarding this on the official websites of the accommodations that I linked below. 

• Camp Denali ($$$) – offering views of the Denali and Alaska mountain range, this Denali National Park accommodation has an amazing location 2 miles (3 km) away from Wonder Lake (map) and it offers rooms with a rustic design, dining facilities and tons of guided and independent activities. 
• Denali Backcountry Lodge ($$$) – set parallel to the Denali Park Road (map) this gorgeous lodge offers fun activities from fishing to kayaking and biking! You’ll also find some spa facilities, an on-site restaurant and rooms that overlook the gorgeous scenery. 
• Kantishna Roadhouse ($$$) – this amazing lodge set on the banks of Moose Creek (map) offers rustic accommodations in the heart of Denali, dining facilities and activities inside the park. 
• Skyline Lodge ($$$) – a very intimate place with only 5 guest rooms where you’ll get to relax after a day of exploring Denali. The accommodation offers dining on-site and rooms with a simple, rustic design.

1.2 Camps

For those who want to sleep under the stars, I’ve made this list with the best campgrounds in Denali:

The prices are from US$25 to US$50, per night:

• Riley Creek Campground – set near Denali’s visitor center, this campground offers a total of 142 spots for tents, vehicles and RVs, bathrooms, showers, food storage lockers and potable water. 
• Savage River Campground – open only between May and mid-September, this campground offers 32 sites, flush toilets as well as vault toilets and food storage lockers. There are no showers however and no cell phone reception. 
• Sanctuary River Campground – offering only 7 sites, this campground comes with food storage lockers and seasonal vault toilets. This campground is also open only during the summer (May to mid-September).
• Teklanika River Campground – a great campground open only during the summer season that has 53 sites, food storage lockers, vault toilets and potable water. 

2. Healy – one of the best towns near Denali National Park

• Distance to the entrance: 20 min drive

Perfect for first-time travelers, the town of Healy is set only a 20 min drive away from the park entrance (map).

Healy offers a couple of great accommodations, restaurants, bars and even more wild spots that you can explore before heading out to the park.

Its easy access to Denali makes it one of the most sought-after places by tourists who want to stay outside the park so I’d highly recommend booking your hotels here in advance.

NOTE: Denali National Park features a single road, known as Denali Park Road (map), or Park Road, which spans 92 miles (150 km). Private cars are only allowed past Mile 15, from there you’ll have to use one of the park buses to explore around. You can learn more about this and check the prices on their official website.

There are a couple of hiking trails that you can check out in the town like Stampede Trailhead (map) and the Antler Ridge Trail (map). Plus, you also have the Nenana River going through the town, and you can actually go rafting there!

Most of the restaurants are set one next to the other, along the Parks Highway (map). If you want a bite before or after your visit, you can head to 49th State Brewing or Rose’s Cafe.

PRO TIP: For those who want to stay right near Denali’s Visitor Center, you can check out the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge which is set only a 5 min drive away from it.

Other accommodation options in Healy

Things to do in Healy 

• Try whitewater rafting on the Nenana River 
• Explore the Stampede Trailhead
• Enjoy a beer and some food at 49th State Brewing
• Go on a trip to explore Dora Peak (map)
• Have a cup of coffee at The Alaskan Coffee Bean (map)
• Take the kids to play at Mountains of Fun (map)

3. Fairbanks – best place for an urban atmosphere

• Distance to the entrance: 2h drive

Set around a 2h drive away from Denali’s entrance, Fairbanks is Alaska’s 3rd largest city and a great place to stay for those who’d prefer a more urban city. 

NOTE: Before picking Fairbanks as your base, definitely consider the time that you’ll spend driving. You’ll definitely have to leave early in the morning around 7AM to get to the park and probably return from Denali around 5PM, which will give you around 8h in the park. However if you’re traveling with the kids you might consider staying in a town like Healy, which is closer. 

While in Fairbanks you’ll find plenty of fun things to do and cool historic sites to discover.

Some places that you should check out while here are the Fairbanks Ice Museum, the Fairbanks Children’s Museum and the Golden Heart Plaza.

You’re still in Alaska, so you’ve got plenty of natural sites in cities like Fairbanks. One of the best ones is Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Here you’ll spot so many cute birds (I’m sure the kids will love this one)!

The town is also home to the University of Alaska. If you have the time, go on a visit on the campus as you can visit some cool places like the Museum of the North and the Georgeson Botanical Garden (map). 

PRO TIP: If you’re a lover of scenic train rides, definitely check out the Denali Star trains which have this amazing route that connects Anchorage and Fairbanks and that also stops in some other key spots like Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali National Park. The views are absolutely incredible. You’ll pass by Denali Mountain, Cross Hurricane Gulch bridge and it even travels through Nenana River canyon.

Other accommodation options in Fairbanks

Things to do in Fairbanks

• Learn new things at the Museum of the North
• Explore the Pioneer Park (map)
• Visit the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
• Spot the cute birds at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
• Check out the ice sculptures at Fairbanks Ice Museum
• Enjoy a delicious meal at Soba restaurant (map)

4. Talkeetna – best place to stay in Denali on a budget

• Distance to the entrance: 2h 30 min

Set a 2h 30 min drive away from Denali’s entrance, Talkeetna is a great place to stay near the park if you’re traveling on a budget.

NOTE: As I mentioned in the description of area number #3 I’d recommend hitting the road super early if you set base in a town that’s as far as this one. Consider leaving around 7AM or even a bit earlier if you know traffic will be bad. 

Founded in the 20th century as a railroad town, Talkeetna is located at the confluence of 3 rivers.

The hiking areas near the Talkeetna’s lakes are absolutely amazing and the views are just breathtaking. So before you head to Denali, make sure you explore the town for a bit and see what it has to offer. 

Some really stunning trails that you should check out are the Talkeetna Lakes Trailhead (map) and Railroad Bridge Trail (map).

Back in the town area, you can visit the Historical Society, to learn more about the town’s past and have a look at the restaurants and cafes around, you’ll probably be famished after all the walking and hiking!

Other accommodation options in Talkeetna

Things to do in Talkeetna

• Learn new things at the Talkeetna Historical Society
• Go for a hike around the Chulitna River (map)
• Enjoy a day of fishing at Christiansen Lake (map)
• Have a drink at Denali Brewpub
• Catch a sunset in Talkeetna Riverfront Park (map)
• Get some souvenirs from Talkeetna Gifts and Collectables (map)

5. Trapper Creek – where to stay in Denali for nature lovers

• Distance to the entrance: 2h drive

Set across the Susitna River from Talkeetna, around a 2h drive away from Denali’s entrance, Trapper Creek is an absolute heaven for all nature lovers!

Here you can enjoy some stunning views of the Denali mountain peak so make sure you’re camera-ready! 

Trapper Creek also offers the most amazing natural surroundings. There are so many places to explore in the outdoors here that you won’t know where to start. But worry not, I’ll help you with that!

One of them is the Susitna River, you can even rent kayaks and spend a few hours enjoying some peace and quiet!

Then you’ll also find some hiking trails such as the Little Coal Creek Trail (map) and the Moose Flats Loop Trail (map).

Please keep in mind that Trapper Creek is a quiet town, you won’t find any attractions and there aren’t many facilities like restaurants or bars.

Other accommodation options in Trapper Creek

Things to do in Trapper Creek

• Have fun kayaking on Susitna River
• Explore the area around Scotty Lake (map) in Trapper Creek
• Buy souvenirs from the Trapper Creek Wal Mikes gift shop (map)
• Stop at Denali Mountains View Pullout (map) on Parks Highway to admire the views

6. Cantwell – where to stay in Denali for tranquility

• Distance to the entrance: 30 min drive

Located a 30 min drive away from Denali National Park’s entrance, Cantwell is a great town for people who want to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet during their trip!

Named after the Cantwell River this town was also established as a railroad community back in the 1920s (just like Talkeetna).

 Besides offering easy access to Denali Park, Cantwell is also known for its dog mushing (sled dog racing) and fishing.

Another thing that puts Cantwell on the map is the fact that it has so many scenic spots! You’ll find most of them as you drive along Parks Highway (map) on the way to the National Park. 

One of my favorites is the Pass Creek Scenic View (map), the mountain and river views are simply breathtaking.For those of you who are interested in sled dog tours, you can check out what’s on at Wildthingz Dog Mushing (map). They organize different sled dog tours, which are super fun, especially if you want to see as much of the area as possible. And of course, you’ll make some cute furry new friends! 😉

Other accommodation options in Cantwell

Things to do in Cantwell

• Go on tour with Wildthingz Dog Mushing
• Stop at Pass Creek Scenic View
• Hike from the Windy Creek Trailhead (map)
• Grab a bite at Jam Jam’s Spot (map)
• Enjoy a sunset walk along the Cantwell Creek (map)
• Go out fishing with Denali Angler (map)

FAQs about where to stay in Denali

🏞️ Where do people stay in Denali National Park?

Usually, people stay in nearby towns like Healy (the closest town to Denali National Park), Fairbanks and Talkeetna or inside the park at one of the lodges or camping sites. 

🌄 Does Denali National Park have cabins?

📅 What is the best month to see Denali?

The best time to visit Denali National Park is from late May until mid-September. During this time, the weather is perfect, and shuttle buses can drive visitors into the wilderness. 

❓How many days do you need in Denali National Park?

I recommend spending 3 or 4 days in Denali, especially if your accommodation is a bit further away from the park as it will take you longer to get there. 

🏙️ What is the closest city to Denali?

One of the best cities near Denali National Park is Fairbanks, the closest big city to it, which is a 2h drive away from the park.

🏡 Where to stay inside Denali National Park?

⛺ Where can I stay near Denali National Park Visitors Center?

🚗 Do you need a car in Denali?

Since cars are allowed only up until Mile 15 of the Denali Park Road (map) and from there take one of the buses, I’d say you can get around Denali without a car.

Final thoughts

What a place! I hope that this guide on where to stay in Denali, helped you decide which town to pick or which lodge if you want to stay inside the park.

I’d recommend, no matter which option you pick, to book your spot in advance. Everything sells out pretty fast here and it’s better to secure your place early. 

If you’re still not sure which hotel to choose, here are my 2 top-rated favorite accommodations, both set in Healy, the closest town to the park’s entrance:

Have fun exploring this amazing park and as always, if you have any questions, just drop them below in the comment section. 

Safe travels, 

Victoria

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