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Experience True Nature

Alaska

Wilderness Adventure Tours beyond Imagination

DPB#01 Kantishna Roadhouse, Denali National Park Backcountry Lodging

Visit Denali's Kantishna Roadhouse. The native-owned, full service lodge is located deep in the heart of Alaska's majestic Denali National Park & Preserve at the end of the park road in Kantishna. We invite you to spend your days viewing Denali's abundant wildlife and breathtaking wilderness while relaxing in the evenings in our beautiful and unique lodge, with all the comforts of home. The lodge has a long-standing Alaskan tradition of hospitality, native heritage and history. The original Kantishna Roadhouse was built in the early 1900s, serving as a private residence, a community center, a post office, and informal accommodations for those who came visiting the Kantishna area. Through years of hard work, the roadhouse has evolved from a gold miner's tent camp into a modern Alaskan resort with a rustic flavor. The 32 full-service cabins were built in 1993 constructed of freshly stripped and shiny varnished Sitka spruce logs overlooking Moose Creek. The first building entering the property is a lovely, historic cabin built in 1906, complete with a sod roof garden of wildflowers growing on top. This was the official State recorder's log cabin where miners recorded their claims. The beautiful main lodge features the dining area, a new library resource room, a hand-crafted bar, and a spacious lobby.

  • Tour Itinerary

  • Dates | Rates

  • Denali National Park FAQ

Day
01

Denali Park Entrance - Kantishna Roadhouse

Arrive in Denali Village on your own. The transfer bus departs from the Rail Station at 2:00 pm - in timed to connect with the Alaska Railroad service from Fairbanks. Clients arriving from Anchorage may overnight near the park entrance. Denali National Park is renowned for its wildlife. During your 95-mile travel to and from the lodge you'll have fabulous opportunities to see most of the Park's wildlife up close. Bring your binoculars, and photographers be warned; you'd better have your favorite camera ready! You and your driver will be on the lookout for Denali's grizzly bears, moose, caribou, dall sheep, wolves, fox, coyote, and numerous other smaller animals and assorted species of birds. Arrive at the lodge, located at the end of the Park Road at 8:00 pm. After enjoying a delicious dinner take advantage of the long daylight hours to stroll around the area or participate in the evening programs about Alaska and its wildlife. Good aurora borealis viewing from September onwards.
Day
02

Kantishna Roadhouse | Exclusive Denali National Park Backcountry Lodging

After a delicious morning breakfast enjoy the entire day in the National Park. We feature an abundance of unique opportunities for you to explore the wonders of Denali's wilderness. With the exception of guided horseback trail rides, all of the necessary equipment for activities is provided to our guests at no extra charge. Join us on popular daily backcountry walking excursions. These guided hikes - suitable for all ages - are ranging from two to six hours and are excellent opportunities to explore the Kantishna area and learn about the wildlife and flora of the Kantishna Hills from one of our experienced naturalist guides. If mountain biking is on the top of your favorite outdoor activity list take one of our mountain bikes and spend some time exploring the countryside. You may also bike down to Wonder Lake for a view of the "Great One" or investigate the old mining roads within the area. For those with a twinkle in their eye, slip on a pair of rubber boots, grab a gold-pan and head down for the creek. Learn about the history and methods of the old-time prospectors and try your hand at panning for a little "color". Any gold you find is yours to keep! Try your hand at fly-fishing for Arctic Grayling in nearby Moose Creek. Both fly and spinning rods are available. After a full day of activity enjoy a delicious dinner in the dining room. Participate in the evenings in our Denali interpretive programs and slide shows. We are the only lodge within Denali Park who has a concession for horseback riding and we offer hourly rides and full day trips.
Day
03

Kantishna Roadhouse - Denali Park Entrance

The private bus departs the Lodge at 6:45 am and arrives at the Denali National Park Entrance around 11:30 am to connect with the Alaska Railroad train service to Talkeetna and Anchorage. We invite you to take the ride on the wild side: Hop on board our private bus and experience 92 miles of breath-taking Alaskan beauty and adventure. Travel the entire length of the Park road with our knowledgeable guides/drivers as they share the biology, geology, and history of the region with you. Have your cameras ready to capture majestic Mt. McKinley and other pristine landscapes. View bears, caribou, fox, moose, wolves, and birds in their natural habitat.
Rates in US $ / per Person  (+ $15 tax) Single      Double     
Kantishna Roadhouse Package per Night $ 660.00 $ 560.00

 

Departure Days
Daily Departures from June 04 - September 12

 

Services included
  • 190-mile round-trip transportation from Denali Park Station
  • Lodging
  • All meals within regular check in/check out
  • Naturalist Guided Hikes
  • Interpretive evening programs, gold panning and dog mushing demonstrations
  • Use of all recreational equipment including mountain bikes and fishing gear
  • Park entrance fee
  • Complete Tour Documentation
  • Toll Free Help Line Access
Denali National Park - FAQ

  Q:
A:		 Where is the Park?
The Park is located on the George Parks Highway - 120 Miles south of Fairbanks and 240 Miles north of Anchorage. There are only a few smaller communities such as Talkeetna, Cantwell and Nenana between these two major cities and therefore the Park area is somewhat isolated.
  Q:
A:		 How do I get to Denali?
The national park area is easily accessible via the paved George Parks Highway or with the Railroad.

Railroad
Denali Star & the Midnight Sun Express | Daily departures from / to Anchorage, Talkeetna and Fairbanks

Bus and Van Service
Daily departures from Anchorage and Fairbanks

Car
Rent a car, van, or 4x4 in Anchorage and drive to Denali National Park. One-way rentals are available between Anchorage, Fairbanks and Seward.
  Q:
A:		 Can I drive into the National Park?
Private vehicles are not allowed beyond the Savage Creek Ranger Check Station at Mile 15 of the Park Road – except with a permit. Therefore the National Park Service offers a shuttle bus system from approximately end of May until the middle of September (depends on weather conditions) between the Visitor Center and Wonder Lake, at the end of the 90 Mile long Road. The busses are departing from 6:00 am onwards about every 1/2 hour. Passengers have the opportunity to get on and off the bus at any point along the park road for hikes and wildlife viewing. This allows visitors to explore the park at their own pace and leisure. Note: Advance reservations for the shuttle busses are absolutely necessary. If you arrive without shuttle bus reservations you may have to wait one or two days in order to get a ticket.
  Q:
A:		 How long will it take to visit the Park?
The shuttle bus service offers a number of well worth visiting destinations.

Savage River | this is the farthest point (15 Miles from park entrance) visitors can travel in their own vehicle on the park road. At this point there is a small parking  area, picnic tables, and the trailhead for the Savage River Trail (about 2 Miles) Visitors can make use of the free Savage River Shuttle that runs regularly between the entrance area and the Savage River. The Savage River Campground is located at Mile 13 and Savage campers with tickets can be picked up at the bus stop for the shuttle into the park.

Sanctuary River | 23 Miles from the park entrance provides an established campground and a park ranger station. There are seven sites for tent camping and access is by bus. Campers with tickets may use the Park Shuttle system, and great hiking is available in the vicinity of Sanctuary campground.

The Teklanika River | 30 Miles from the park entrance runs through Igloo Forest, creating large gravel bars for easy travel. A rest stop at Teklanika provides restrooms, and expansive views from the deck. Campgrounds are nearby at Teklanika and Igloo Creek campgrounds.

Polychrome Pass & Rest Area | 46 Miles from the park entrance offers a spectacular view of the colorful Alaska Range. The Polychrome Glaciers are nestled in the hills to the south, while bears and caribou often wander on the river bars below. For a day hike, walk along the ridge behind the rest area and enjoy alpine scenery. Buses run as far as Polychrome from June to August.

Toklat | at Mile 53 is a 6-hour round trip. Toklat River is an area of braided glacial rivers and towering cliffs where Dall sheep are often seen. Grizzlies sometimes graze on the riverbed’s soapberries. Buses run as far as Toklat from late May through Mid-Sept weather permitting.

Fish Creek | a trip to the newly build Fish Creek Visitor Center, at Mile 66 takes about 8-hours (round trip) and is the closest location for scenic views of towering Mt. McKinley.

Wonder Lake | at Mile 85 is an 11-hour round trip. The beautiful lake offers a picture perfect view of Mt. McKinley. Along the road to Wonder Lake, alder and willow-carpeted hills are dotted with kettle ponds. Look for beaver along the way, and be sure to keep an eye out for blueberries in late summer and fall. Buses run to Wonder Lake June 8 through Mid-September weather permitting

Kantishna | at Mile 90 is about a 13-hour round trip. The gold mining area is primarily a destination for backpackers heading for the national parks backcountry sections or for clients who are staying at various remote backcountry lodges in the viciity of Kantishna. One Bus travels to Kantishna between June 8 and September 11. Kantishna is primarily a destination for lodge visitors and backpackers headed for the backcountry. Please respect the private lands you may encounter in this area.
  Q:
A:		 What about Sightseeing within Denali National Park?
Denali National Park and Preserve is famous for North America's highest mountain peak - 20,320-foot tall Mount McKinley, spectacular landscapes, rugged mountain peaks and abundant wildlife. More than 6 million acres encompass a complete sub-arctic eco-system.
  Q:
A:		 What about Wildlife Viewing?
Denali National Park is home to a variety of wildlife. Moose, Grizzly Bears, Caribous, Dall Sheeps, Wolves, Foxes, Golden Eagles, Beavers, and a multitude of migratory birds and waterfowl are plentiful throughout the park. Moose and Grizzly Bear sights are possible and rather common even within the improved sections of the park.
  Q:
A:		 Will I see Mt. Denali ?
The more time you spend inside the park, the better are your chances to see Mt.McKinley The entire mountain is visible only on a few days during each summer, however you may be fortunate to get a view of Mt.McKinley or some of the other mountain peaks and glaciers of the Alaska range during your stay. Even when the clouds obscure your view of the mountain from ground level, you can frequently see it while on a hike that gains elevation, or on a flight seeing trip.
  Q:
A:		 Are any hotels directly in the Park?
Only a very limited number of remote wilderness lodges are operating within the national park boundaries. Please check our page: Denali Wilderness Lodges. Most  hotels are located at Denali Village – along the Parks Highway – one Mile from the visitor center.
  Q:
A:		 Can I buy beverages or food in the Park?
There is no food or beverage service available on either the busses or anywhere past Mile 2 of the park road. Please plan ahead and bring your own snacks, lunch, and beverages. Restrooms are available at approximate one-hour intervals along the park road.
  Q:
A:		 Which services are available near the Park?
Within a few miles of the Park entrance there are lodges, restaurants, gift shops, gas stations, small convenience stores, and various other visitor related services.
  Q:
A:		 What’s about other Activities?
There are a number of outfitters and soft-adventure companies operating near the park boundaries. Some of the activities include: flight seeing adventures, helicopter flights, rafting, float trips, sled dog tours, evening dinner theater. Please refer also to our individual sightseeing pages.
  Q:
A:		 How is the Weather?
Weather in Denali is extremely variable. Many of the rangers tell visitors to expect sun, wind, rain, clouds and even snow - sometimes all on the same day. Temperature can range from the mid 20's in early May and September to 85 degrees in July. Normal temperatures are in the high 60's with nights cooling off to between 40 and 50 degrees. Wearing layers of clothing makes it easy to regulate your body temperature. Also, you'll find that a good waterproof raincoat is invaluable. It will be daylight for 24-hours a day throughout May, June and the first half of July.
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