Which Shuttle to Take in Denali and Mt McKinley

[tap & dap]

We will be staying at the Denali Princess Lodge and McKinley Princess Lodge in Mid May. Looking at the shuttles on the National Park Service Website.

 

Just wondering how easy it is to get to the shuttle stops from the Lodges we will be staying at.

 

Any suggestions would be great.

 

Looking at taking the shuttle bus that we can get on and off as much as we want. But having never been there have no idea how far from the lodges it is to the shuttles and how we get there.

 

Thanks

[NancyIL]

How many nights are you staying at the Denali Princess lodge? Does the Natural History Tour or the Tundra Wilderness Tour come with your land package? I'm sure others can help you with the logistics of getting from the lodge to where the shuttle buses leave. But just so you know - you're nowhere near Denali Park while staying at the McKinley Princess: http://princesslodges.com/mckinley_lodge_directions.htm

[Chenega]

There is a shuttle from the Denali Princess to the "Wilderness Activity Center" from which the shuttles depart. It is also about a mile walk on a paved trail.

 

As for the McKinley Princess, it is a gorgeous hotel but it's practically in the middle of nowhere. They do have a slate of activities but it's about a 1.5 to two hour drive to Denali Park Headquarters.

[fti]

Looking at taking the shuttle bus that we can get on and off as much as we want. But having never been there have no idea how far from the lodges it is to the shuttles and how we get there.

Thanks

 

Definitely check out what is included in your land package. If you are on the Natural History Tour, it only goes 17 miles into the park. No reason to get off the bus - I don't think you are even allowed to. If you have the Tundra Wilderness Tour and you want to get off the bus, you should take the tour bus as far as it goes then get off on the RETURN trip. You can pick up any shuttle or camper bus for the return trip. I believe you could also get off the bus on the way into the park, but by doing it on the way back, it lets you get a lay of the land and an idea of where you might want to get off on the return. The first place you think you might want to get off might not be the first place by the time you see other places further down the road. If you are planning on hiking, either alongside the road or onto the tundra, the earlier bus you can take into the park the better. That is a good rule anyway, but especially so if you plan on hiking. It gives you the maximum time in the park. Before departing, be sure to ask at the Wilderness Access Center or the Visitors Center for a bus schedule. That way you will know about when the busses will be coming along to pick you up. There is a chance the first bus you flag down will be full so be prepared to wait for the next bus. But in the highest of the summer season, there seems to be plenty of busses.

 

If you are at the McKinley Princess Lodge, that is a good jumping off point to Talkeetna and possible flightseeing over Mt. McKinley.

 

John

[wolfie11]

Definitely check out what is included in your land package. If you are on the Natural History Tour, it only goes 17 miles into the park. No reason to get off the bus - I don't think you are even allowed to.

 

Actually, the NHT stops at the Savage River cabin and the turnaround and lets people off at both stops. However the turnaround is only a couple of miles past where you can drive to in a private vehicle.

[tap & dap]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We have the afternoon Natural History Tour at Denali Lodge but then we also have a day of Leisure at both the Denali Lodge and the McKinley Lodge.

 

Sounds like on that free day at Denali we should catch the shuttle and take it to the end and then take our time coming back to the lodge.

[Chenega]

Great idea to take the shuttle since the Natural History tour goes less than 15 miles in. Chances of wildlife viewing increase as you go further along the park road.

[Budget Queen]

IF you are going mid May the farthest you will get at that time is the Natural History tour, mile 16. The road will NOT be open any farther. IF it is a priority to get farther into the park, You need a later arrival, earliest very end of May so to get to Toklat, mile 53. The McKinley Princess is 100 miles away from the National Park and you will have NO access to it with your cruise tour. You also are 50 miles from Talkeetna, so plan accordingly so not to make the shuttle too often. There really aren't activies at the lodge outside of a couple short trails.

[Budget Queen]

 

Sounds like on that free day at Denali we should catch the shuttle and take it to the end and then take our time coming back to the lodge.

 

 

The "end" in your timeframe will be the same as the Natural History tour- mile 16. I suggest you strongly consider changing your dates IF it is a priority to see the park.