Most of our readers already know that Denali National Park is one of the best national parks to visit in Alaska. It’s one of the most famous parks in the entire United States, after all. It’s primarily visited during the summertime, but this stunning natural landscape comes alive in the winter. The frozen beauty of the landscape covered in snow and ice is absolutely incredible. It’s arguably even more beautiful in the wintertime!
Denali National Park and Preserve is located deep in the interior of Alaska.
Tim Rains / Flickr This incredible park spans more than 4.7 million acres. It’s larger than the size of several states! The park is so remote that it is serviced by just one road.
The bulk of Denali National Park’s 500,000 visitors come during the summer months. This area has an incredible beauty in the cold months that visitors avoiding the cold really miss out on.
Denali National Park and Preserve / Flickr It can definitely get cold, though! The temperatures can drop down to a chilly -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Hoarfrost decorates the trees and landscape absolutely beautiful, making it look like a winter wonderland from a Christmas card. Luckily, the average daily temperature during the winter is typically around 15 degrees.
You can expect very short days of sunlight in the park. During the winter solstice, the area sees only five and a half hours of daylight.
Tim Rains / Flickr This does make it easy to spot the alpenglow phenomenon when it appears. If you can see it on Denali itself, it’s a truly magical experience.
Denali, formerly known as Mount McKinley, is the largest mountain in North America. The peak is over 20,000 feet above sea level.
mkelly6000 / Flickr The mountain has always been colloquially known as Denali within Alaska. The name is derived from a word used by the Koyukon people that live north of the mountain and means “the tall one.” The name “McKinley” was coined by a gold prospector in 1896 and referred to President William McKinley. The state petitioned to the federal government for years to have the mountain renamed to Denali. Finally, in 2015, the mountain’s name was officially changed to Mount Denali. Whatever name you know it by, this beauty towers over the surrounding landscape in the park.
In the winter, the Denali Park Road closes at mile three. However, there’s still lots to see that is close to the Visitor Center!
Tim Rains / Flickr Snowshoes are available to rent for free, or bring your own bike if you’ve got fat tires. You can also pack your cross country skis. Whatever way you want to travel, there’s nothing like getting out into the untouched and wild back country.
Or, you can choose to explore the area by air. There are several local pilots to choose from who can take you over the magical landscape.
Tim Rains / Flickr However you decide to explore the park and see these arresting sights, we think you’ll agree that winter in this park is unlike anywhere else in the world. With almost two million acres of designated wilderness, every scene is constantly changing and incredibly beautiful.
It may seem intimidating to access this incredible back country in the winter, but trust us. The views are otherworldly and the experience is unforgettably magical.
Denali National Park and Preserve / Flickr Traveling to this frozen park during the coldest time of the year should make everyone’s bucket list. The sights of this world encased in ice will stay with you for a lifetime!
Have you ever visited Denali National Park in the winter time? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!
Most of our readers already know that Denali National Park is one of the best national parks to visit in Alaska. It’s one of the most famous parks in the entire United States, after all. It’s primarily visited during the summertime, but this stunning natural landscape comes alive in the winter. The frozen beauty of the landscape covered in snow and ice is absolutely incredible. It’s arguably even more beautiful in the wintertime!
Tim Rains / Flickr
This incredible park spans more than 4.7 million acres. It’s larger than the size of several states! The park is so remote that it is serviced by just one road.
Denali National Park and Preserve / Flickr
It can definitely get cold, though! The temperatures can drop down to a chilly -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Hoarfrost decorates the trees and landscape absolutely beautiful, making it look like a winter wonderland from a Christmas card. Luckily, the average daily temperature during the winter is typically around 15 degrees.
This does make it easy to spot the alpenglow phenomenon when it appears. If you can see it on Denali itself, it’s a truly magical experience.
mkelly6000 / Flickr
The mountain has always been colloquially known as Denali within Alaska. The name is derived from a word used by the Koyukon people that live north of the mountain and means “the tall one.” The name “McKinley” was coined by a gold prospector in 1896 and referred to President William McKinley. The state petitioned to the federal government for years to have the mountain renamed to Denali. Finally, in 2015, the mountain’s name was officially changed to Mount Denali. Whatever name you know it by, this beauty towers over the surrounding landscape in the park.
Snowshoes are available to rent for free, or bring your own bike if you’ve got fat tires. You can also pack your cross country skis. Whatever way you want to travel, there’s nothing like getting out into the untouched and wild back country.
However you decide to explore the park and see these arresting sights, we think you’ll agree that winter in this park is unlike anywhere else in the world. With almost two million acres of designated wilderness, every scene is constantly changing and incredibly beautiful.
Traveling to this frozen park during the coldest time of the year should make everyone’s bucket list. The sights of this world encased in ice will stay with you for a lifetime!
After your day in the park, make sure you refuel here: This Century-Old Roadhouse In Alaska Has The Most Mouthwatering Pie On Earth.
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Address: Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To Do Outside In Alaska February 01, 2022 Lisa Sammons What are some more of the best parks in Alaska? We love Chugach State Park in Anchorage! This national park to visit in Alaska has got some of the best hiking trails in Alaska and is home to the beautiful Eagle River Nature Center. It’s got beautiful waterfalls (that freeze over magnificently in the winter) and is just an all-around magical place. What are some great hiking trails in Alaska? There are some fantastic hiking trails in Alaska, many of which look like something straight out of a fairy tale. Here are a few of our favorites: they’re otherworldly in their beauty! What are some other national parks to visit in Alaska? We’ve got eight national parks in Alaska, and of course, they’re all stunning (after all, they wouldn’t be national parks if they weren’t!). Denali attracts the most visitors, but Kenai Fjords is also definitely worth a visit. Check out this quick and handy guide to all the national parks in Alaska.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To Do Outside In Alaska
February 01, 2022
Lisa Sammons
What are some more of the best parks in Alaska? We love Chugach State Park in Anchorage! This national park to visit in Alaska has got some of the best hiking trails in Alaska and is home to the beautiful Eagle River Nature Center. It’s got beautiful waterfalls (that freeze over magnificently in the winter) and is just an all-around magical place. What are some great hiking trails in Alaska? There are some fantastic hiking trails in Alaska, many of which look like something straight out of a fairy tale. Here are a few of our favorites: they’re otherworldly in their beauty! What are some other national parks to visit in Alaska? We’ve got eight national parks in Alaska, and of course, they’re all stunning (after all, they wouldn’t be national parks if they weren’t!). Denali attracts the most visitors, but Kenai Fjords is also definitely worth a visit. Check out this quick and handy guide to all the national parks in Alaska.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
We love Chugach State Park in Anchorage! This national park to visit in Alaska has got some of the best hiking trails in Alaska and is home to the beautiful Eagle River Nature Center. It’s got beautiful waterfalls (that freeze over magnificently in the winter) and is just an all-around magical place.
What are some great hiking trails in Alaska?
There are some fantastic hiking trails in Alaska, many of which look like something straight out of a fairy tale. Here are a few of our favorites: they’re otherworldly in their beauty!
What are some other national parks to visit in Alaska?
We’ve got eight national parks in Alaska, and of course, they’re all stunning (after all, they wouldn’t be national parks if they weren’t!). Denali attracts the most visitors, but Kenai Fjords is also definitely worth a visit. Check out this quick and handy guide to all the national parks in Alaska.
