Closest airports
| Airport | City | Drive to the park | Straight-line miles | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) | Fairbanks, AK | 2 h 40 min (123 mi) | 143 | Regional |
| McGrath Airport (MCG) | McGrath, AK | 5 h 35 min (166 mi) | 144 | Regional |
| Merrill Field (MRI) | Anchorage, AK | 4 h 55 min (238 mi) | 149 | Regional |
| Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) | Anchorage, AK | 5 h 10 min (246 mi) | 150 | Large hub |
Drive times run from the airport to Denali Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.
Regional airports have fewer flights, so compare fares with the larger hub.
Directions from the park service
You can drive to Denali from Anchorage or Fairbanks, along Highway 3, which is known as the "George Parks Highway." Fairbanks is about 2 hours north, while Anchorage is 5 hours south of the Denali entrance. You can also reach Denali from either city via the Alaska Railroad, which is operated by the State of Alaska.
Hours
Open 24 hours, every day. Denali is open 24-hours a day, although services are limited after-hours (generally after 4 pm in winter or 6 pm in summer). There is no gate at the park entrance. Please note that camping is only possible either in designated campgrounds (with a valid reservation) or in the rest of the park with a free backpacking permit.
Visitor centers
- Denali Visitor Center: Daily, 8:30AM - 6:00PM. The Denali Visitor Center is open in summer only, from early May through late September. Full summer hours are in effect June through August. Hours are slightly reduced in May and September.
- Murie Science and Learning Center: Daily, 9:30AM - 5:00PM. The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm during the winter season, except on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day). A heated building, called the Indoor Picnic Area, is located next door to the MSLC. The Indoor Picnic Area is open daily 9:30 am to 5 pm from mid-October through April 20, except on major holidays. In summer, the MSLC is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
- Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Throughout the main summer season (mid-April to mid-September), the ranger station is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. Hours are limited and vary in fall, winter, and spring. Call to speak with a ranger about visiting during winter months.
- Denali Bus Depot: Daily, 5:00AM - 7:00PM. Open: May 20 through mid-September each year (closing date varies). Daily hours: 5 am to 7 pm for coffee service, bus loading, ticket sales, and pre-booked bus and campground reservation check-ins.
- [Indoor Picnic Area](): Daily, 9:30AM - 5:00PM. The Indoor Picnic Area is open to visitors in the winter, from 9:30 am to 5 pm daily, except on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day). NPS staff are not present.
- Eielson Visitor Center: Closed. Currently closed due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide.
Last gas, groceries and EV charging
Places mapped in OpenStreetMap within 19 miles (straight line) of Denali Visitor Center. Fill up before you head deep into the park: most parks have little or no fuel inside.
Gas stations (5 within reach)
| Place | Where | Miles | Fuel extras and hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesoro | George Parks Highway, Denali Canyon | 1.2 | |
| Vitus | 248.5 George Parks Highway, Healy | 9.8 | diesel, propane |
| Shell | Mile 248.5 George Parks Highway, Healy | 9.9 | diesel · Open 24 hours |
| Gas station (unnamed) | See map | 10.0 |
Grocery stores and supermarkets (1 within reach)
| Place | Where | Miles | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Bears Alaska | Mile 248.5 George Parks Highway, Healy | 9.9 | Mon to Sat 7 am to 9 pm, Sun 8 am to 9 pm |
EV charging (2 within reach)
| Place | Where | Miles | Plugs and spaces |
|---|---|---|---|
| EV Gateway | See map | 10.0 | CCS, CHAdeMO, J1772, 2 spaces |
| EV charger (unnamed) | See map | 10.0 | CCS, CHAdeMO, J1772, 2 spaces |
Opening hours and fuel types are what local mappers have recorded, so call ahead in winter or off season. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License.
Getting around
Most parks are best seen by car. Fill up before you enter, since gas inside parks is limited or absent. Parking at popular trailheads fills early in summer.
Sources
- National Park Service Data API: directions, hours and visitor centers (public domain)
- OurAirports: airport list and locations (public domain)
- OSRM drive-time estimates on OpenStreetMap road data (ODbL)
- OpenStreetMap: gas stations, grocery stores and EV chargers (ODbL)
Last checked 1 November 2026.