4 Days in Denali & Talkeetna

Arrive in bustling Anchorage and grab your rental car or head to the train or bus station. It's a little over 4 hours to drive to Denali to Denali, about 6 hours by bus, and almost 8 hours by train; all are stunningly scenic trips. If there's time when you arrive, head to the park's visitor center to start getting acquainted with this vast expanse of nature.

Today, you'll spend all day exploring the beauty of this park. Private vehicles are not allowed beyond mile 15, so you'll explore by bus. Opt for the National Park Service's hop-on, hop-off transit bus, or take a narrated tour. Spend 7-8 hours traveling 62 miles into the park on the Tundra Wilderness tour, or take 12 hours and go all 92 miles to the end, at Kantishna. Along the way, look for wildlife and of course, North America's tallest peak.

An alternative to a bus on the Park Road is to ride a bike! Bike Denali offers afternoon, full-day, and multi-day rentals. Bike from the park entrance, or put your bike on a shuttle to catch a ride into the park and then pedal out!

Today you'll experience the unique town of Talkeetna. Depart from Denali and drive (2.5 hours), take the train (4.5 hours), or hop a motorcoach (4 hours). Once in charming Talkeetna, explore the one-block main street, ducking in and out of the quaint shops and restaurants. If you have time, take a tour! You're still close to Denali, so go flightseeing and check out the mountain up close; you could also take a guided walk, a rafting trip, or a thrilling jetboat ride.

You'll have this morning at leisure, so enjoy a hearty breakfast and take a tour—if you did one yesterday, try something new; maybe experiencing the thrill of ziplining or jetboating. Then head to Anchorage by car (2 hours), train (3 hours) or bus (2.5 hours). Once back in the heart of the city, check out a museum for a deeper understanding of the 49th state or pick up some souvenirs before you fly out.