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Denali National Park & Preserve: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Denali National Park & Preserve is a unit of the National Park System in Alaska[5]. NPS lists a $15 per person entrance fee that is charged year-round[6].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[8].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[9] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[9] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[9] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[9] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[9] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[9] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
The park is open around the clock and has no entrance gate, but after-hours services are few, generally after 4 pm in winter and 6 pm in summer[10]. NPS describes summer as cool and wet, with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s[11]. Snow can fall in any month, so pack for cold weather even in summer[11]. In 2025 the busiest month was July with 151,455 recreation visits[1]. June had 133,472 and August had 144,364[1]. October 2025 had only 3 recorded visits[1]. NPS says fall color shows up on high tundra in August[11].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 2,254 |
| February | 3,524 |
| March | 8,479 |
| April | 8,080 |
| May | 42,821 |
| June | 133,472 |
| July | 151,455 |
| August | 144,364 |
| September | 45,485 |
| October | 3 |
| November | 1,283 |
| December | 2,080 |
Camping
NPS and Recreation.gov list 6 campgrounds in the park[3]. Riley Creek is the largest with 142 sites, and Igloo Creek and Sanctuary River have 7 each[3]. Per NPS, a campground stay needs a valid reservation, while camping elsewhere in the park takes a free backpacking permit[10].
- Riley Creek, 142 sites[3]
- Teklanika River, 53 sites
- Savage River, 32 sites
- Wonder Lake, 28 sites
- Sanctuary River, 7 sites
- Igloo Creek, 7 sites
Pets and dogs
The NPS pet rule says that where pets are allowed, they must be crated, caged or on a leash of six feet or less[12]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted[12]. NPS lists pets as permitted on 3 of its 15 things to do here, and a park can close more areas to pets[13][12].
Before you go
- Entrance fees are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment[8].
- Youth age 15 or younger are free, and the $15 fee for people 16 or older covers a 7-day entrance permit[6].
- Keep your receipt or pass handy, digital or physical, in case staff ask to see it[6].
- NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80 and the Senior Lifetime Pass at $80[9].
- NPS says 7 of its 15 listed things to do need a reservation[13].
- Fees and hours change, so confirm on the official NPS page before you go.
Questions people ask
- How much is the Denali entrance fee?
- NPS lists $15 per person, charged year-round[6]. Youth age 15 or younger are free[6].
- How much is the Denali annual pass?
- NPS lists the Denali Annual Pass at $45, and says it covers up to four adults[7]. The Resident Annual Pass for America the Beautiful is $80[9].
- When is the busiest month at Denali?
- In 2025 the busiest month was July with 151,455 recreation visits[1].
Facts and sources
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 229,521, 2022: 427,562, 2023: 498,722, 2024: 466,227, 2025: 543,300. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Campgrounds in Denali National Park & Preserve (list on this page). National Park Service
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 6 (Denali Visitor Center, Murie Science and Learning Center, Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station, Denali Bus Depot, Indoor Picnic Area, Eielson Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Denali National Park & Preserve is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Park & Preserve) in Alaska. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $15. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $45. National Park Service
- Entrance fees at Denali National Park & Preserve are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- Operating hours, All Park Hours: Denali is open 24-hours a day, although services are limited after-hours (generally after 4 pm in winter or 6 pm in summer). There is no gate at the park entrance. Please note that camping is only possible either in... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Denali National Park & Preserve. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 15 things to do at Denali National Park & Preserve: Explore Denali's Winter Trails, Sightsee on a Denali Tour Bus, Explore Mountain Vista & Savage River, Hike a Short Trail From the Denali Visitor Center, Bike the Denali Park Road, Berry Picking... National Park Service