How to Find Cheap Hotels in Denali Park, Alaska

One of the nation's biggest and most beautiful national parks, Denali Park, Alaska is at the center of the state and the center of the wildlife movement. Countless protected species call Denali Park home. This is just one reason why this area is a popular destination for people who love nature at its finest.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access to book accommodations online

Know Your Destination

1. Orient yourself. Denali Park is 120 miles south of Fairbanks, and 240 miles north of Anchorage.
2. Admire Mount McKinley (known locally as Denali), the tallest peak in North America. The park is one of the largest in the United States, covering 9,492 square miles.
3. See Mount McKinley from Denali Park's Reflection Pond. It offers one of the most extraordinary views of this impressive mountain.

Getting Around

4. Ride the shuttle bus from the entrance of the park. Private vehicles are not permitted off the paved sections of the road.
5. Walk through the interior of the park once you reach Savage River. There's space to park your car and hoof it.

Find Accommodations

6. Be aware that there are only a few choices for lodging within the park, and they are not cheap. It is not uncommon to pay more than $400 per night for accommodations within the park itself.
7. Focus your search on areas outside the park, near the eastern entrance. You want to be near enough so that travel to and from Denali doesn't become a hassle. Several local lodges near the entrance can be rented for about $100 per night at cheap off-peak season rates.
8. Try a more adventurous approach. Spend a few nights on campgrounds in Denali Park, Alaska. They start at around $12 per night.
9. Check out South Denali Park and Talkeetna for cheap inns and motels that are just outside park boundaries.
10. To book accommodations, contact Alaska Travel Industry Association at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).

Tips & Warnings

• Denali Park, Alaska is one of the coldest places in North America. Take every precaution necessary to protect yourself. Summer temperatures can reach freezing levels, too, so always pack heavy, warm clothing.
• Bear in mind when coming to the United States that security is tight at major transportation hubs as well as national entities. Denali Park, Alaska is no different. Know what items are and are not allowed within the park before you arrive.