Denali/Anchorage on your own after cruise...some questions

[MemoryMaker2669]

Helping a friend with her cruise in August.  She would like to rent a car after the cruise, which ends in Whittier and drive themselves to Anchorage and do a tour of some kind to Denali.  Any recommendations on this?  Should they take a train into Anchorage, get hotel, then get a car.  Do they even need a rental car?  I know they can't go further than the 15 mile mark of the park i a car.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Any great hotels that are close by?  I am thinking off the ship, goes to Denali area to a hotel. Day 2 do Denali touring.  Day 3 fly home.  Am I simplifying it too much?

Edited February 25, 2020 by MemoryMaker2669

[mapleleaves]

To reach Anchorage from Whittier they could take the Alaska Railroad, Park Connection Bus (alaskacoach.com), Seward Buslines,  a cruiseline transfer or independent transfer ( Alaska CruiseTransfer.com is mentioned often on this board but there are others).   You'll need to check the schedules of each to see which would work best.

The transfer company will get you into the airport or downtown by noon.  They could be on their way to Denali by 1:30pm.  It's about 240 miles and 5 hrs.  

They need a reservation to take the bus into Denali.  There are about 100 miles of park road travelled by tour or transit buses.  I recommend the transit bus to Eielson Visitor Center ... great destination point, great views, trails, rangers, etc.   Info on the types of bus trips and their destinations on the reservation site:

https://www.reservedenali.com/tours-transits/transits/eielson-visitor-center/

 

Before heading back to Anchorage on their last day,  maybe they would enjoy seeing the free sled dog demo at 10am, then maybe stop into Talkeetna for lunch. 

https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htm

 

As for accommodations,  there are the large cruisetour hotels, small hotels, cabins, B&B's, even a hostel.  Depends on their requirements and budget.  Look at past trip reports posted at the top of the forum to see what past travellers enjoyed.  Or look at the Denali Chamber of Commerce ( Healy and Carlo Creek are the 2 communities within 15 minutes of the park)

http://www.denalichamber.com/stay-accommodations-2/

 

 

Edited February 25, 2020 by mapleleaves
nps

[Chemical_echo]

I'm going in May for the first time and have the following booked:   

Day 1

Bus transfer from Seward to ANC 

Pick up rental car at ANC, explore Anchorage a bit, grab some food, and drive to Denali (staying at McKinley Chalet Resort) 

Day 2

Morning Tundra Wilderness Tour; some on for exploring/hiking in the afternoon 

Day 3

Drive back to Anchorage, fly out at night

 

 

[mapleleaves]

1 hour ago, Chemical_echo said:

I'm going in May for the first time and have the following booked:   

Day 1

Bus transfer from Seward to ANC 

Pick up rental car at ANC, explore Anchorage a bit, grab some food, and drive to Denali (staying at McKinley Chalet Resort) 

Day 2

Morning Tundra Wilderness Tour; some on for exploring/hiking in the afternoon 

Day 3

Drive back to Anchorage, fly out at night

 

 

 

Not sure when you reach Denali, but prior to June 1, you would be doing the SHOULDER SEASON TW tour:

https://www.reservedenali.com/tours-transits/the-denali-tour-experience/tundra-wilderness-tour/

 

Additionally due land slides at Pretty Rocks at Mile 43,  Park Admin isn't sure when the park road will open and how far you will be able to travel.   They aren't able to make a determination until the Spring road clearing starts and they are able to reach the area and see if the condition worsened over the winter.  You may want to stay alert to the Denali web site for developments.

https://www.nps.gov/dena/learn/news/pretty-rocks-season-open-limited.htm

 

 

[Chemical_echo]

3 hours ago, mapleleaves said:

 

Not sure when you reach Denali, but prior to June 1, you would be doing the SHOULDER SEASON TW tour:

https://www.reservedenali.com/tours-transits/the-denali-tour-experience/tundra-wilderness-tour/

 

Additionally due land slides at Pretty Rocks at Mile 43,  Park Admin isn't sure when the park road will open and how far you will be able to travel.   They aren't able to make a determination until the Spring road clearing starts and they are able to reach the area and see if the condition worsened over the winter.  You may want to stay alert to the Denali web site for developments.

https://www.nps.gov/dena/learn/news/pretty-rocks-season-open-limited.htm

 

 

Thanks, I knew about the shoulder season tour. I thought the rock slide was further along but it still only cuts off about 10 miles of the shoulder season tour so it's not a killer. 

[rma2001]

Just wave at Anchorage as you/they pick up the car and are on the way to Denali. Spend a few days there and try to get to Elison VC. Anchorage is worth about a day. 

[SightCRR]

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2020/02/23/worries-about-the-fate-of-denali-park-road-persist-as-tourism-season-looms/

 

If they turn around at m/p 34 it is missing a lot.