Anchorage to Denali National Park Road Trip Guide
Introduction
Despite its wild reputation, there is plenty of sophistication available in this city. This should come as no surprise when you consider Anchorage has a population of nearly 300 000. Forty-one percent of the state population lives in this city, which is one of the largest in America in terms of urban area. And yet, there are also moose, black bears, and grizzlies.
With six mountain ranges visible from the city there is no shortage of choice when it comes to hiking options or cross country skiing.
If you fancy a little more in the way of culture, the city has several outstanding museums to pass your time in, as well as the Alaska Native Heritage Center where you will gain insight as to how the native people have managed to survive in such harsh conditions.
Alaska is a big state and on this journey, you are going to cover a lot of ground. There is much to do along the way but you won’t be able to do everything. Here we offer you some options and you can then decide which suit you best.
Point of Interest
Palmer
Palmer is only forty miles from Anchorage and is beautifully positioned in the Matanuska Valley. There are several interesting options available here that make it a good place to break the journey.
Reindeer still play an important role in the economy and the Reindeer Farm offers a wonderful opportunity to get up close to these animals and learn more about them. The farm is surrounded by glorious mountains and the kids can enjoy barrel rides, pony rides and tractor rides as well as find their way through a maze of straw bales.
Independence Mine State Park is a historic gold mine that has been preserved to allow visitors to take a trip back in time to experience what life was like working and living on a genuine Alaskan gold mine.
Finally, Palmer is the base from which helicopter tours operate. There can be few better ways to view the stunning countryside. On this trip, you will even get to land on a glacier and wander around on its icy face.
Cantwell
Cantwell is a small town not far from Denali National Park. It might be a good place to grab a bite after your three hour and twenty minute run from Palmer, but it offers one attraction that your kids are sure to enjoy. It is home to Wildthingz Dog Mushing and this is guaranteed to provide fun and entertainment for all the family.
Being hauled along by a pack of passionately excited huskies is a big deal in Alaska. Many teams compete in dog sled races and it is a professional sport that is widely practiced in this state.
Wildthingz breed and race their dogs but they also offer tourists the opportunity to try out this crazy sport for themselves. In the winter months, you can be hauled along in a sled but that does not mean that there is nothing to appreciate during months when there is no snow on the ground. This company keep their dogs fit all year round by harnessing them to multi-passenger ATVs and the dogs get just as much of a thrill hauling that as they do a sled.
Summary
Denali National Park and Preserve is where you realize that there really are still some wild places left on the planet. The park covers a whopping six million acres so you definitely won’t feel too confined. There is plenty of wildlife in this vast wilderness and it is also home to America’s highest mountain Mount McKinley.
Whether its mountain biking, hiking, fishing, or camping, you will find it all in this massive preserve.
