Visitor Facilities and Services at Denali National Park Opening for Summer Season

DENALI PARK, Alaska: Lengthening days, milder overnight temperatures, sightings of migrant bird species, and the arrival of summer employees are all signs that the seasonal facilities and services that enhance the park experience for Denali National Park and Preserve visitors will open soon.

The Denali Bookstore, operated by park partner Alaska Geographic, has kicked off the season, as it opened on Monday, May 6. Most facilities will open the following week on Wednesday, May 15, including the Wilderness Access Center, Morino Grill, Backcountry Information Center, and the Denali Visitor Center, the park's main visitor center. This environmentally sustainable facility features stunning exhibits on Denali's natural history and cultural heritage, screenings of the award winning, high definition feature film, "Heartbeats of Denali", and friendly rangers who answer questions and help visitors plan how to spend their time in the park. It is open daily from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm.

The season's first interpretive offering, the daily 2:00 pm sled dog demonstration, commences on May 15. Free buses to the park kennels depart from the Denali Visitor Center shuttle stop at 1:20 p.m. Campground programs will be offered on a limited basis beginning Saturday, May 18, and the 10:00 am sled dog demonstration begins on Monday, May 20. The full range of interpretive programs will be available in June.

Denali Natural History Tours start on Tuesday, May 14, and the shoulder season Tundra Wilderness Tour (TWT) to the Teklanika Rest Area will be available May 14 - 19. The regular TWT begins on May 20.

The park road is open for travel by private vehicles to the Teklanika River Rest Area (Mile 30) through Sunday, May 19. Weather and road conditions permitting, on Monday, May 20 the park's shuttle bus system starts providing visitor access beyond the Savage River (Mile 15) as far west as the Toklat River (Mile 53). Buses will begin running to the Eielson Visitor Center (Mile 66) on Saturday, June 1. The entire 92-mile length of the park road will open for buses on Saturday, June 8.

The first fifteen miles of the park road will remain open for travel by private vehicles throughout the summer season. This year's road-related construction projects, which include the replacement of the Rock Creek Bridge near park headquarters, are expected to cause only minor (up to five minutes) traffic delays and lane closures.

Camping is free at the Riley Creek Campground until fee collection begins on May 15. Water and sewer services may be available by that date, depending on weather conditions. The Savage River Campground will open on Sunday, May 19 and the Sanctuary River, Teklanika River, and Igloo Creek Campgrounds all open on Monday, May 20. The Wonder Lake Campground opens on Saturday, June 8.

Denali National Park and Preserve collects an entrance fee year-round. The entrance fee of $10 per person (for visitors age 16 and older) is good for seven days. Visitors can pay the entrance fee at the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) through May 14, and at the Denali Visitor Center (DVC) beginning May 15. The majority of the money collected remains in the park to be used for projects to improve visitor services and facilities. Interagency Federal Recreation Passes such as the Annual, Senior, and Access Pass, and the Denali Annual Pass are also valid for entry into the park and can be purchased at the MSLC or DVC.

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Denali Park Road Open to Mile 30

Extra effort by the spring road opening crew and other maintenance employees to clear the snow from recent storms has made it possible for the National Park Service to provide access farther west into the park. Park visitors can now drive as far as the Teklanika River Rest Area at Mile 30.

Snow conditions are still good for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter recreational activities, but with warming temperatures conditions will change rapidly. The spring road opening crew has reported sightings of moose, caribou, coyote, lynx, golden eagles, ptarmigan, and a single arctic ground squirrel. There have been no sightings of bears yet this season.

Vault toilets are available for visitor use at the Teklanika Rest Area, parking areas on both sides of the Savage River and the Mountain Vista Trailhead (rest area) east of the Savage River Campground. Other park facilities west of headquarters, including the campgrounds, remain closed until later in May.

Visitors should expect to encounter snow, ice, and mud on some portions of the road, particularly in shaded sections. Motorists are also advised to be alert for National Park Service personnel steaming culverts along the side of the road, and for heavy equipment being used in the road opening operations.

Weather conditions can change rapidly at this time of the year, and the road may open and close several times. Visitors are encouraged to contact the park for updated road and weather information. For those interested in following the progress of the Denali road crew as they plow westward along the 92 mile park road to Kantishna, timely updates are posted on the park website at http://www.nps.gov/dena/spring-road-opening.htm. Photos are posted on the park's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DenaliNPS.

The Riley Creek Campground at Mile 0.2 is open, and camping is free until May 15. A vault toilet is provided in the loop that remains open year-round, and campers can obtain water at the Murie Science and Learning Center. Water and sewer services will not be available until mid to late May.

The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) at Mile 1.3 is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for visitor information and backcountry permits.

Denali National Park and Preserve collects an entrance fee year-round. The entrance fee of $10 per person (for visitors age 16 and older) is good for seven days. You can pay the entrance fee at the MSLC. The majority of the money collected remains in the park to be used for projects to improve visitor services and facilities. Interagency Federal Recreation Passes such as the Annual, Senior, and Access Pass, and the Denali Annual Pass are also valid for entry into the park and can be purchased at the MSLC.

Additional park information is available on the web at www.nps.gov/dena or by calling (907) 683-9532 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. Stay connected with "DenaliNPS" on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, and iTunes - links to these social media sites are available at www.nps.gov/dena.

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Applications Open for 2012-2013 Researcher-in-Residence Program

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DENALI PARK, Alaska: The National Park Service and the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) are seeking applicants for two accomplished scientists to conduct research in Denali National Park and Preserve. Each Researcher-in-Residence will spend a month or more in the park, conducting self-directed fieldwork and sharing their expertise with park staff and visitors.

The Researcher-in-Residence program facilitates the sharing of knowledge and resources between academic scientists and Denali resources staff, interpreters, and visitors. The program is designed to provide funding for tenure-track faculty, but may also be appropriate for state and federal agency scientists or private-sector researchers. Up to $10,000 is available per recipient for research, and an additional $8,000 may be available for the subsequent creation of educational outreach products. Fieldwork must take place in 2012, 2013, or over both years.

The application deadline is March 10, 2012. A decision is expected to be made by March 20, or soon thereafter.

Information about the Researcher-in-Residence program, including specifics on how to apply and other information helpful to the application process, may be downloaded fromwww.nps.gov/dena/naturescience/research.htm. For more information, please contact Murie Science and Learning Center coordinator Sierra McLane at 907-683-6436 or sierra_mclane@nps.gov.

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