Drive from Anchorage to Denali on a self-guided audio tour through alpine highways, glacier rivers, and vast northern wilderness. Four must-see stops anchor the route: turquoise Eklutna Lake, quirky Talkeetna, sweeping views in Denali State Park, and the entrance to Denali National Park. Follow the Glenn and Parks Highways past Hatcher Pass, Susitna River, and Hurricane Gulch Bridge as stories of sled dogs, gold rushes, and towering Denali unfold.
About the Anchorage to Denali Tour
This self-guided driving tour takes you from Anchorage to Denali National Park, tracing glacier rivers, mountain passes, and some of Alaska’s most iconic scenery.
Begin in Anchorage and head toward Arctic Valley Road for sweeping views across the city and Cook Inlet. Rejoin the Glenn Highway through Chugach State Park, passing Eagle River and Mirror Lake. Turn toward Eklutna Lake, where brilliant turquoise water meets rugged peaks. Visit Eklutna Village to learn about Alaska Native traditions before continuing north.
Follow Highway 3 into the Mat-Su Valley, passing Wasilla and the open farmland that frames distant mountain ranges. A detour to Hatcher Pass reveals alpine tundra, mining history, and high-elevation panoramas. Continue along the Parks Highway toward Willow and broad views of Denali on clear days.
Arrive in Talkeetna, a lively mountain town known for mountaineering history and flightseeing tours. Stroll near the Susitna River and soak in views of North America’s tallest peak. Beyond Talkeetna, the landscape widens into sweeping wilderness.
Enter Denali State Park for dramatic viewpoints and hiking options like Curry Ridge Trail and K’esugi Ridge. Stop at Denali View South and Byers Lake for postcard reflections of the mountain. Hurricane Gulch Bridge spans a deep canyon carved by glacial rivers, offering one of the route’s most striking photo opportunities.
Continue past Cantwell and Igloo City as Denali grows larger on the horizon. Stories along the drive explore sled dogs, early explorers, Alaska Native history, the gold rush era, and the scientific quest to climb Denali.
At last, reach Denali National Park. From the Park Road entrance to wildlife viewing opportunities, this is where Alaska’s wilderness truly opens up. Look for moose, caribou, grizzly bears, and Dall sheep across vast tundra and braided rivers.
With offline access, turn-by-turn narration, and flexibility to stop whenever you like, this Anchorage to Denali drive transforms a scenic highway into a rich journey through Alaska’s landscapes, wildlife, and history.
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Tour Map
Starting Point
Join the tour anywhere along the route. Follow the route in either direction – the tour works both ways.
Suggested starting points are indicated by green START markers on the map:
From Anchorage: 1500 E 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK
One suggested start is north of Anchorage on the E 5th Ave (AK-1). Head east on AK-1 toward Denali
From Denali: Parks Highway (AK-3), near Denali National Park Airport
Another suggested start is on the Parks Highway, just north of the Denali National Park Airport. Head south on AK-3 toward Anchorage. Head south on AK-3 toward Anchorage.
How Does It Work?
- Access your tour: Download the Action Tour Guide app and sign in with the same email used for your website purchase. Your tour will appear under My Tours.
- Download your tour: Download it before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
- Start your tour: Open My Tours, select your tour, and tap Start Touring when you reach a starting point.
- Listen your way: Use your phone’s speaker or headphones, or connect to your car’s audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not currently supported, compatibility is in development.
- GPS-triggered audio: Stories play automatically as you reach each location along the route.
- Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day. Tours are valid forever (one year for Action+).
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
The Anchorage to Denali Driving Tour is a GPS-based audio guide that turns your road trip into a narrated experience. As you drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park, your phone automatically plays stories about Alaska’s wildlife, landscapes, history, and local legends. Just follow the route in the app and the narration plays as you approach each stop.
The tour typically begins in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, and follows the scenic Parks Highway north toward Denali National Park. However, the tour is flexible and you can join anywhere along the route. The narration will begin automatically when you reach the first story point.
The tour includes stories and stops at many scenic and historic locations along the Parks Highway, such as:
- Talkeetna viewpoints and mountain scenery
- Broad Pass and Alaska Range landscapes
- Local wildlife viewing areas
- Historic towns and roadside landmarks
You’ll hear fascinating stories about Alaska’s gold rush history, indigenous heritage, and the incredible wildlife that calls this region home.
The region between Anchorage and Denali is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Travelers sometimes spot moose, caribou, bears, eagles, and Dall sheep along the route. The tour highlights areas where wildlife sightings are more common.
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Inclusions and Exclusions
Action Tour Guide app: Download the app to access your purchased tour.
GPS-triggered audio: Stories and directions play automatically as you reach each location.
Tour anytime: Your tour is available for unlimited use, anytime and any day.Tours are valid forever (one year for Action+).
Narrated stories: Hear local history, culture, and stories from experienced narrators.
Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day.
Offline access: Download your tour before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
Stories, stops, and directions:Follow the route to key attractions with automatic directions and stories at each location.
Transportation: Transportation, parking fees, and tolls are not included.
Admission:Entry tickets and reservations are not included.
Food and drinks: Meals and drinks are not included.
Rental car: A rental car is not included and may be required for driving tours.
