Nothing beats exploring this epic national park on foot.
Denali National Park is where adventure meets the wild heart of Alaska – a place where trails are optional, and the only limit is your own sense of wonder (and bravery). With 6 million acres of wilderness, you can stick to the marked paths or blaze your own.
To preserve the park’s natural beauty, there are only 35 miles of hiking trails. If this intimidates you, don’t fret – you can opt to travel with an Intrepid local leader so you can safely and confidently explore the trail-less wilderness. With plenty of free time, you can still take on the trails your own way.
For those who would rather stick to the park’s marked yet still wild and rugged trails, I’ve got you covered. From easy strolls to strenuous hikes that’ll get your blood pumping, here are seven of our favourite hikes in Denali National Park.
1. Triple Lakes Trail
Denali National Park’s longest trail offers solitude through dense boreal forests, creeks and rolling hills as you walk 9.5 miles into various Alaskan landscapes. As you hike, you’ll cross suspension bridges, encounter three hidden alpine lakes and see panoramic views of the Nenana River and mountains in the distance.
A steep climb of 1,000 feet gradually ascends, but your muscles will be rewarded with stunning views of the endless Alaska Range, followed by a downhill stroll along the river. This trail is at its best in the summer and autumn when colourful wildflowers and golden colours take over. Bear, moose and beaver sightings are common, so keep your eyes peeled!
This is a point-to-point trail, so unless you’re up for walking 19 miles in one day (kudos to you if you are), you can take a free shuttle back to your starting point.
Trail Details
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Distance: 9.5 miles (one way)
- Duration: 4-5 hours (one way)
- Elevation: 1,000 feet
- Hike type: Out and back
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Trailhead: Denali Visitor Center or the southern entrance sign near Nenana River bridge
- Highlight: wildflowers in summer and stunning views of three lakes year-round
The Alaskan wilderness awaits
2. Rock Creek
This pleasant trail will greet you with a steep incline from the start, but don’t let that scare you. Once you’re past the initial incline, it’ll be smooth sailing through the lush Alaskan forest. As you wander, keep your eyes peeled for bears, beavers, or even a moose. You’ll also be rewarded with stunning ridge-line views of nearby Mount Healy and the Alaskan Range. And just when you think it can’t get any better, you’ll arrive at the Denali Kennels, where you can meet and even pet the park’s sled dogs.
The Rock Creek Trail isn’t a loop, but it can be – you just have to combine it with the Roadside Trail to turn your hike into a 4.5-mile loop. A quick heads up: Parts of the trail may be closed for wildlife nesting. It’s just the local critters’ way of saying, “This spot’s taken.”
Trail Details
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 2.4 miles (one way)
- Duration: 1-2 hours (one way)
- Elevation: 400 feet
- Hike type: Out and back
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Trailhead: Denali Visitor Center via Taiga Trail
- Highlight: Wildlife
3. Horseshoe Lake Trail
Horseshoe Lake is a popular hike that descends and travels around, you guessed it, Horseshoe Lake. This area is particularly popular with Denali’s beaver residents, providing a high chance of spotting wildlife along the way. The lake is also a prime spot for moose to cool down in the summer, making for some iconic Alaska wildlife viewing.
What’s fun about this hike is that the views are constantly changing. There are panoramic vistas of the Nenana River, a glance of Glitter Gulch and scenes of the surrounding mountains. A beautiful clear lake among the alpine trees with mountain ranges in the distance is the epitome of Alaskan wilderness.
Trail Details
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Distance: 2 miles
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Elevation: 250 feet (descent)
- Hike type: Loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Trailhead: Denali Visitor Center or Railroad Crossing
- Highlight: Lake and river views
4. Savage River Loop Trail
Savagely beautiful? We think so. This loop trail might be short on distance, but it’s not short on natural beauty as you follow the Savage River downstream. It offers some brilliant wildlife spotting opportunities as you walk through a valley carved by glaciers 2 million years ago.
The trail rises and falls a bit but there are no major uphill sections. You’ll walk for about one mile before crossing the river over a bridge and then looping downstream back along the Savage River. This trail is great if you’re stretched for time or looking for an easy walk with the kids while still absorbing beautiful river and mountain views, wildflowers and gorgeous valley views along the way.
Trail Details
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 2 miles
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Elevation: Mostly flat
- Hike type: Loop
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes (the first half mile is wheelchair accessible)
- Trailhead: Savage River parking area
- Highlight: Wildlife (moose, Dall sheep, marmots, caribou, lynx)
5. Oxbow Loop Trail
Want to go for a nice stroll without breaking a sweat? The Oxbow Loop Trail is an easy, breezy hike with postcard-worthy views. This flat, peaceful trail meanders alongside the Nenana River with the type of mountain scenery that makes Denali famous. You’ll even get to experience one of the signature features of the park – a stroll through the taiga forest.
This trail is perfect for all ages and abilities, ideal for a family adventure or a solo stroll to find some solace. Whether you’re here for the tranquil riverbank, the towering peaks or the iconic taiga forest, the Oxbow Loop Trail delivers a slice of Denali’s famous natural beauty in the most leisurely way possible.
Trail Details
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 2 miles
- Duration: <1 hour
- Elevation: 265 feet
- Hike type: Loop
- Wheelchair accessible: Not yet (accessibility upgrade in the works!)
- Trailhead: Tsenesdghaas Na’
- Highlight: Mountain range views from high above the river
6. Mount Healy Overlook Trail
Mount Healy is one of Denali’s most iconic trails that offers uh-mazing views of Nenana Valley. Starting on the Taiga Trail, you’ll walk through spruce forests into an alpine country that eventually gives way to the tundra. The last section gets progressively steeper and narrower as you squabble up to the overlook, where sore legs will be worth the vast expanse of mountain ranges, rolling alpine hills and a 360-degree view of the park. Oh, and on a clear day? You may even see Denali peeking out of the clouds…
The trail officially ends at a rocky outcropping, but you’re welcome to brave it beyond this point if you have a permit and want to hike the mountain’s ridges. The summit is 1.5 miles past where the trail technically ends and is permitted but quite dangerous.
Trail Details
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Distance: 5.4 miles
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Elevation: 1,700 feet gain
- Hike type: Out and back
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Trailhead: Denali Visitor Center
- Highlight: 360-degree views at overlook; views of Mt Denali on a clear day
7. Savage Alpine Trail
Maybe you have a free morning before the group takes off on its next adventure, but you still want to get one last strenuous hike in. Well, the Savage Alpine Trail is a great contender. It’s not terribly long, but you’ll climb 1,500 feet in elevation quite quickly with a reward at the windy top: views of Mt Denali (on a clear day).
This is considered one of the hardest marked trails, but it’s worth it for the constant views, the chance to see Mt Denali and the wildlife along the way. Many have recorded seeing Dall sheep, adorable pikas and even grizzlies in the area. Even if you want to branch away from the group, I wouldn’t recommend hiking this one alone.
Do bear in mind (pun intended) that the Savage Alpine Trail is closed during the winter; the park considers winter as when snow begins to fall, typically late September or early October, but the National Park Service will keep you updated.
Trail Details
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Distance: 4 miles (one way)
- Duration: 2-3 hours (one way)
- Elevation: 1,500 feet
- Hike type: Out and back (or jump on the shuttle bus to return)
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Trailhead: East Savage River parking area or Mountain Vista parking area
- Highlight: Views of Denali
Discover Denali the Intrepid Way
Navigating this vast landscape solo can be as thrilling as it is daunting, and it’s not exactly recommended to head into bear country alone. Take on the wilderness with a seasoned local leader and like-minded travellers to transform your experience and guarantee safety. Travelling with Intrepid means you’ll not only hike Denali’s rugged terrain, but you’ll also score a chance to witness the northern lights, spot wildlife on an Alaskan safari and even conquer a glacier with an expert by your side.
With plenty of free time and customizable hikes, you can take on the wilderness at your own leisure. Plus, on days of travel, why wouldn’t you want to take in the scenery while someone else drives?
In a place where trails are a rarity, let your local leader show you the way, ensuring a safer, more enriching experience that you’ll cherish long after you leave “The Great Land.”
Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails on a Denali National Park tour with Intrepid.
