Denali National Park protects six million acres of Alaskan wilderness anchored by Denali itself — at 6,190 metres, the highest peak in North America. The scale is hard to overstate: the park is larger than the state of New Hampshire, and only a single road penetrates it.
That road, the 92-mile Park Road, is the main way to experience Denali. Private vehicles are restricted beyond the first 15 miles, so most visitors ride the park buses that wind through tundra and taiga, stopping for grizzly bears, caribou, Dall sheep, and — on clear days — the mountain. Only about 30% of visitors actually see the summit; the rest of the time it hides behind its own weather system.
The park entrance area near the George Parks Highway has a cluster of lodges, a visitor centre, and a few short hiking trails. Backcountry camping is available by permit, and experienced hikers can wander freely — there are almost no maintained trails beyond the entrance area, which is part of the appeal.