Our Denali Trip Review

DH, my parents and I went to Denali National Park for a long weekend. We had a blast. It is still the “shoulder” season so the park was not packed, which was lovely.

We stayed at McKinley Creekside Cabins. (http://www.mckinleycabins.com/) In the 2 bedroom, Terrace Building. It was nice to only need one hotel room for all of us, since it had 2 bedrooms in it. Plus it had a coffee pot, small fridge, and a microwave. Plus they had a grill for us to use. We only ate out twice the entire 5 days. On the down side: The big thing they advertise is the giant cinnamon rolls. When we went to have breakfast the last morning there they only had one left because “ their baker had been gone for 2 days.” The Cinnamon roll we did split 4 ways was really good for being 2 days old but it was a bit disappointing.

We mostly hiked during the days by the park entrance trails(Saturday and Sunday). But Monday we took to shuttle bus into the park (only way to get in) to the Eielson Visitor Center ($32 pp). It was a 4 hour ride one way but we saw grizzly bears, moose, caribou, a wolf, eagles, and other birds. Once we got to the Visitor Center we took a 2 hour hike up to a ridge. I highly suggest doing a hike of some sort. Some of the people on our bus did not even get off and headed right back into the entrance, waste if you ask me. We did get to see most of Mt McKinley, but it did have clouds around it. (Only about 30% of visitors get to see the entire mountain due to clouds.)

The one night we went out to dinner we went to the Alaska Cabin Night dinner and show. There was an all you can eat salmon and rib dinner. However the Salmon was way over cooked. The show was cute and interactive. Luckily we had buy one get one free coupons, otherwise it was $62 a person, I bit much in my book.

We had a great time and if you enjoy being out side, hiking, and exploring I highly suggest you make the trip.

(pictures to be posted later)