Alaska: Denali National Park

Magnificent to behold, Denali stands high above the glaciated plains. Denali National Park encompasses the Alaska range and the surrounding foothills, glaciers and rivers, affording wildlife a protected area to roam freely. I have had the good fortune to stay in the park many times, first camping at Wonder Lake and most memorably, driving to the end of the road at Kantishna after winning the (road) lottery. Fall is the best season to visit due to the gorgeous colors, better wildlife viewing and the lack of mosquitoes after a freeze. My favorite spots to camp are Teklanika for the car access and Wonder Lake for the spectacular views. For day hikes, I love hiking around the kettle pools near the end of the road, blueberry picking near Polychrome and the slopes of Cathedral Mountain. Due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide, the road is not open past Mile 43. For those up close Denali views, there are some private inholdings in the interior that can be accessed via air. Check out Denali Backcountry Lodge, Skyline Lodge or Kantishna Roadhouse for fly-in adventures beyond the road closure. For outside the park, I recommend Denali Primrose B&B, Denali Riverside Cabins or the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.