Denali Park Road Open to Savage River

Denali - Mountains - Alaska (Photo credit: blmiers2)

DENALI PARK, Alaska: The Denali Park Road is now open as far as the Savage River (Mile 15). The longer days and milder temperatures of early spring provide enjoyable conditions for visiting the park.Mount McKinley, or Denali, is visible from the park road at approximately Mile 10, depending on cloud cover. Due to the mild winter, snow coverage for outdoor activities such as mushing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is variable.

Vault toilets at the Mountain Vista Rest Area and on the east side of the Savage River are open for use. Other facilities west of park headquarters, including the Savage River Campground, remain closed until later this spring.

Visitors should expect to encounter snow and ice on shaded sections of the park road until overnight temperatures remain above freezing. 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 call ahead for updated road status.Follow the progress of the Denali road crew as they plow westward along the 92 mile park road to Kantishna - updates and a photo gallery are posted at http://www.nps.gov/dena/spring-road-opening.htm and at www.facebook.com/DenaliNPS.

The Bear Loop of the Riley Creek Campground at Mile 0.2 is open for free camping. A vault toilet is provided, and campers can obtain water at the Murie Science and Learning Center.

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.

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.

Related articles

• Denali Park Road Open to Mile 30 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Denali Winter Artists-in-Residence Arrive (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Denali Road to open to Mile 12 on March 31, 2013 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

2014 Denali Bus and Campground Reservations Available on December 1

Grizzly bear in Denali National Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DENALI PARK, Alaska: Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture, the transportation concessioner for Denali National Park and Preserve, will begin accepting advance reservations for the 2014 visitor season for shuttle buses and the park's four largest campgrounds on Sunday, December 1.Reservations are available by phone, on-line or mail. Reservations are no longer being taken via fax.

Approximately 65% of the shuttle bus seats and 100% of the campsites in the Riley Creek, Savage River, Teklanika River, and Wonder Lake campgrounds can be reserved in advance. The remaining tickets are made available for advance or walk-in reservations two days before the travel date. The Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River Campgrounds are open for tents and RVs, but the Wonder Lake Campground is tents only. Hookups are not available in any of the park's campgrounds.

The shuttle bus system is designed to provide transportation into the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve for visitors who wish to view the park's scenery and wildlife, access campgrounds, go hiking for the day, or take an overnight trip into the park's backcountry. Drivers will answer questions and help visitors spot wildlife. The shuttle bus system will operate from Tuesday, May 20 through Thursday, September 11, 2014, weather permitting.

2014 SHUTTLE BUS PRICES FOR AN ADULT SINGLE TRIP FARE:

ToklatEielson Visitor Center Wonder Lake Kantishna

$27.00$34.50$47.25$51.50

The camper bus fare (for campers in park campgrounds or with backcountry permits) is $34.50.Children age 15 and under ride free on shuttle buses and half price on tour buses.

A maximum of eight shuttle bus seats may be requested with each reservation, and ages are required as age discounts may apply. Please provide alternate dates and times when possible.

Additionally, there are two multi-trip bus pass options available for visitors who plan to do multiple trips during the same summer. The 3-for-2 pass allows one individual to travel into the park on three separate trips during the same summer season for the price of two trips, provided the third trip is equal to or of lesser value than the first two. A reservation is required for each trip, which do not have to be taken on consecutive days. Reservations can be made in person at the Wilderness Access Center or Riley Creek Mercantile in the park, or by telephone at (800) 622-7275.

The 6-Pack allows a visitor to travel into the park on six separate trips during the same summer season for a discounted rate, i.e. $41.25 for destinations as far as the Toklat River (Mile 53), and $61.50 for destinations as far as Kantishna (Mile 92). The 6-Pack is good for only one individual, i.e. is not transferable, and the first bus trip must be reserved when purchasing the 6-Pack. There is a minimum of five days between trips. All reservations must be done in person (valid ID required) at the Wilderness Access Center or Riley Creek Mercantile.

Phone reservations can be made by calling (800) 622-7275 nationwide or (907) 272-7275 for international callers between 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (Arizona time). The web address for on-line reservations iswww.reservedenali.com. Mail-in reservation requests should be sent to:

ARAMARK /Joint Venture Reservations

2805 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 240

Phoenix, AZ 85106

Additional park information is available at www.nps.gov/dena or by calling (907) 683-9532 from 9:00 am – 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.

National Park Service Seeking Input on Plowing Denali Park Road Beyond Headquarters in Winter

Image via Wikipedia

DENALI PARK, Alaska: The National Park Service (NPS) intends to evaluate the impacts of plowing the Denali Park Road between park headquarters (Mile 3) and the Mountain Vista Rest Area (Mile 12) during the winter season.The NPS is interested in providing additional opportunities for winter visitors to the park, while protecting park resources and values. Plowing the road beyond park headquarters would allow private and commercial vehicles to travel further into the park to provide mountain viewing and increased recreational opportunities.

An informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Murie Science and Learning Center in Denali National Park.Members of the public are invited to share their ideas and concerns about the proposal with park staff.

Currently the park road is closed to vehicular traffic beyond park headquarters after the first significant snowfall occurs (usually in October).During the winter one lane of the road is maintained so the road crew can manage the overflow ice that occurs between Mile 4-7.The other lane is not plowed. Both lanes are available for use by dog teams, cross country skiers, snowshoers, and other winter recreationalists. Spring road opening begins in mid-March, and the road is generally open to the public as far as the Savage River (Mile 15) by early April, and to the Teklanika River Rest Area (Mile 30) by mid to late April.

The NPS invites the public to submit written comments by Friday, March 9, 2012. Comments may be submitted online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/dena, faxed to 907-683-9612, or mailed to:

Superintendent

Denali National Park and Preserve

ATTN:Winter Road Plowing

P.O. Box 9

Denali Park, AK99755

For additional information about the proposal please contact Paula Homan, Project Planning Lead, at 907-683-6223 or paula_homan@nps.gov.

Related articles

• Northern 1980 Additions to Denali National Park and Preserve Now Open to Snowmobiling for Traditional Activities (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Applications Open for 2012-2013 Researcher-in-Residence Program (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Denali: 2012 Research Fellowship Application Deadline is 2/15/12 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Applications Open for 2012 Research Fellowship Programs, Denali National Park and Preserve (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Change to Denali National Park and Preserve Entrance Fee (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

2012 Denali Bus and Campground Reservations Available Beginning December 1

Image via Wikipedia

Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture, the transportation concessioner for Denali National Park and Preserve, will begin accepting advance reservations for the 2012 visitor season for shuttle buses and the park's four largest campgrounds on Thursday, December 1, 2011. Reservations will be available by phone, on-line, fax, and mail.

Approximately 65% of the shuttle bus seats and 100% of the campsites in the Riley Creek, Savage River, Teklanika River, and Wonder Lake campgrounds can be reserved in advance. The remaining tickets are made available for advance or walk-in reservations two days before the travel date. The Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River Campgrounds are open for tents and RVs, but the Wonder Lake Campground is tents only. Hookups are not available in any of the park's campgrounds.

The shuttle bus system is designed to provide transportation into the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve for visitors who wish to view the park's scenery and wildlife, access campgrounds, go hiking for the day, or take an overnight trip into the park's backcountry. Drivers will answer questions and help visitors spot wildlife. The shuttle bus system will operate from Sunday, May 20 through Thursday, September 13, 2012, weather permitting.

2012 shuttle bus prices for an adult single trip fare:

Toklat    Eielson Visitor Center         Wonder Lake          Kantishna
$26.75  $34.00                 $46.00                  $50.00  

The camper bus fare (for campers in park campgrounds or with backcountry permits) is $34.00. On all buses, children 14 and under ride free and young adults age 15-17 ride for half price.

A maximum of eight shuttle bus seats may be requested with each reservation, and ages are required as age discounts may apply. Please provide alternate dates and times when possible. 

Phone reservations can be made by calling (800) 622-7275 nationwide or (907) 272-7275 for international callers between 7:00 am - 5:00 pm (Arizona time). The web address for on-line reservations is www.reservedenali.com. Forms for fax reservations are also posted at www.reservedenali.com. The completed forms should be faxed to (602) 331-5258. Mail-in reservation requests should be sent to:

ARAMARK /Joint Venture Reservations
2445 West Dunlap Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85021

Related articles

• Deanli Park Road Open To Mile 13 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Tangle Lakes Campground Renovation Update (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Fall Harvest Festival and open house planned Oct. 15 at Washington State Park (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Mark Twain National Forest Looking For Recreation Site Concessionaires (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Deanli Park Road Open To Mile 13

Image via WikipediaThe contractors working on the culvert replacement project have finished for the season, and the Denali Park Road is now open to the Savage River Campground at Mile 13, weather permitting. The road will close at park headquarters (Mile 3) when the next snowfall occurs. The road is closed to traffic west of the campground due to icy and snowy conditions on sections of the road, particularly the portion that winds down to the Savage River. Visitors are advised to call ahead for weather and road information, as conditions can change rapidly. 

There will be vault toilets available for visitors at the Mountain Vista Trailhead parking area. All other facilities west of headquarters, such as campgrounds and restrooms, are closed. The Murie Science and Learning Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. to provide park information and backcountry permits.

The Bear Loop of the Riley Creek Campground at Mile 0.2 is open for camping, but the water is off for the season. A vault toilet is available for campers, and water can be obtained at the Murie Science and Learning Center. Gas, food service and lodging are available year-round in the communities of Healy and Cantwell.

Denali National Park and Preserve collects an entrance fee year-round. The entrance fee of $10 per person or $20 per vehicle is good for seven days. 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. Visitors can pay entrance fees at the Murie Science and Learning Center. 

Related articles

• Denali Park Road open to Mile 30 through September (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• NPS Invites Public to Meetings on Draft Denali Park Road Vehicle Management Plan (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Adventures By Disney - Alaska (disneymemoriestravel.wordpress.com)
• Comment Period Extended for Draft Denali Park Road Vehicle Management Plan (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Denali Seeks Input on Proposal to Simplify Entrance Fees (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

Denali Park Road open to Mile 30 through September

Image via WikipediaThe busy summer season has ended at Denali National Park and Preserve, and visitors can now drive private vehicles on the Denali Park Road as far as the Teklanika River Rest Area at Mile 30, weather permitting. Visitors are advised to call ahead for weather and road information, as conditions can change rapidly at this time of the year.

On Tuesday, September 20, a project to replace all culverts under the paved portion of the road, i.e. Mile 1 - 15, will begin. Visitors should expect minor traffic delays due to one lane traffic at several locations along that portion of the road.

Vault toilets will be available at the Mountain Vista Trailhead (Mile 12), Savage River parking area (Mile 15) and the Teklanika River Rest Area through September. Other park facilities west of headquarters, such as campgrounds and restrooms, are closed for the season.

Beginning on Saturday, October 1, the park road will be closed to vehicles beyond Park Headquarters (Mile 3) in order to replace the large culverts between there and the Savage River (Mile 15). Both lanes will need to be excavated due to the large size of the culverts, making sections of the road impassable by vehicle. The road will be available to pedestrians and bicyclists, but they will need to walk around construction sites and stay alert for trucks and other heavy equipment. The culvert replacement project is scheduled to continue until November 23, weather permitting. Work will resume in the spring.

On Wednesday, September 21 the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) will begin functioning as the winter visitor center. The MSLC is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm to provide park information and backcountry permits.

The Bear Loop of the Riley Creek Campground at Mile 0.2 will remain open for camping, but the water has been turned off for the season. A vault toilet is provided for campers and water can be obtained at the Murie Science and Learning Center. Gas, food service and lodging are available in the communities of Healy and Cantwell.

Denali National Park and Preserve collects an entrance fee year-round. The entrance fee of $10 per person or $20 per vehicle is good for seven days. 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. Visitors can pay entrance fees at the Murie Science and Learning Center. 

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