Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Denali National Park and Preserve Local Customs
Search:

Denali National Park and Preserve Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Denali National Park and Preserve Local Customs

with Santa and my friends - Denali National Park and Preserve
with Santa and my friends
by Lilasel
Learn the local customs of Denali National Park and Preserve. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Denali National Park and Preserve locals.
Denali National Park and Preserve Map
Denali National Park and Preserve Local CustomsTips 1 - 9 of 9  
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Rules of Engagement
  • Tip Rating:
    • mrclay2000
  • Updated By mrclay2000 on August 11, 2003
  • Denali National Park and Preserve Page by mrclay2000
    • photographer at approved distance from Dall sheep - Denali National Park and Preserve
    photographer at approved
    distance from Dall sheep
    by mrclay2000
    Park literature prescribes certain minimum distances you are to keep from the park's wildlife. Standards exist for every mammal that might bite or charge you, but common sense is the proper guide. Regulations explicity state that 75 feet is the closest you may come to a moose or Dall sheep, and a 1/4-mile from bears, with a full chart of the appropriate distances for each important animal in the park's visitor guide (the Denali Alpenglow). One general rule of thumb: if your behavior forces the animal to change its behavior, you're too close.

    Leave a Comment

  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Denali National Park and Preserve?

    Read reviews about Denali National Park and Preserve Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Proper Terminology
  • Tip Rating:
    • mrclay2000
  • By mrclay2000 on August 15, 2003
  • Denali National Park and Preserve Page by mrclay2000
    • 'shwacky' tussock tundra up close - Denali National Park and Preserve
    'shwacky' tussock tundra up
    close
    by mrclay2000
    Park rangers and personnel (especially at the Visitor Center) use their own specialized vocabulary to describe scenes or conditions in the park. Since topography varies to extremes in Denali, certain adjectives are meant to convey the pleasures or perils involved in certain sections. In places where footing is difficult or the way is choked with vegetation (such as alder or tussock), the place is "shwacky" (i.e. where "bushwhacking" is involved). Wonder Lake at the end of the park road is informally known as "Mosquito Lake," and even the bus drivers insist that windows are sealed tight on their approach. A trained ear can pick up such informative terms from incessant dialogues among the park's personnel.

    Leave a Comment

  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Proper Hand Signals
  • Tip Rating:
    • mrclay2000
  • By mrclay2000 on November 19, 2003
  • Denali National Park and Preserve Page by mrclay2000
    • Toklat River basin, a likely place for sightings - Denali National Park and Preserve
    Toklat River basin, a likely
    place for sightings
    by mrclay2000
    Park personnel and especially the bus drivers use an interesting system of hand signals to identify animal sightings in the park. A "wolf" is signified by holding up the first three fingers like a "W," a "lynx" by forming an "L" with your thumb and index finger. A "bear" is identified by a clawed hand, a "caribou" by extending the index finger and pinkie and by suppressing the middle fingers with your thumb. A "moose" by holding your thumb to your temple and extending the other fingers outward like antlers. Most of the main animals can be represented using one hand, all part of the Denali lore.

    Leave a Comment

  • Website: www.nps.gov/dena.htm
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    How to Put the Roof Over Your Heads
  • Tip Rating:
    • mrclay2000
  • By mrclay2000 on August 9, 2003
  • Denali National Park and Preserve Page by mrclay2000
    • Savage River basin (the road sits near the peaks) - Denali National Park and Preserve
    Savage River basin (the road
    sits near the peaks)
    by mrclay2000
    Park regulations are specific concerning the practices of backcountry campers. Before you are allowed to pitch your tent anywhere outside the established campgrounds, you are required to watch a 45-minute video. Among other things it suggests that you pitch your tent in the open (to lessen the chances of surprise) and to choose your spot wisely (i.e. away from berry patches, etc.) These suggestions have the park's bears in mind. Formally, you are required (1) to pitch your tent no closer than 1/2-mile from the park road, (2) to camp totally out of sight of the park road, and (3) to pitch your tent at least 100 feet from sources of water (200 feet if possible).

    Leave a Comment

  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Don't approach the animals
  • Tip Rating:
    • worldtrekker
  • Updated By worldtrekker on February 13, 2003
  • Denali National Park and Preserve Page by worldtrekker
    • Older grizzly cubs - Denali National Park and Preserve
    Older grizzly cubs
    by worldtrekker
    It's customary here to give animals their space - they need a lot of it. It disrupts their day when a person ventures too close.

    At a minimum, the park service says to stay at least 50 yards away from a bear. If it's a mama with cubs, 100 yards. Really though, these are minimums! Why take a chance with your life?
    It's a different situation from the bus. Bears have become accustomed to buses stopping near them. They know there is no threat. If you're outside the bus, however, hiking in their territory, then it's a totally different ball game. They have to access you, as you may be a threat. You should have no trouble if you take precautions. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising a bear and if you see a bear, make a wide arc around it. If you plan to hike, inform yourself well at the visitor center about hiking in bear country.
    Other animals can be dangerous too! More people are injured or killed by moose in Alaska than by bears! Most incidences occur when moose cows perceive a threat to their calves. Overall, there aren't many incidences such as these so you shouldn't cancel your trip! Just be smart and avoid approaching these animals and bring a good zoom lens and binoculars instead.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Denali National Park and Preserve?

    Read reviews about Denali National Park and Preserve Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Christmas in August!
  • Tip Rating:
    • Lilasel
  • Updated By Lilasel on January 2, 2005
  • Denali National Park and Preserve Page by Lilasel
    • with Santa and my friends - Denali National Park and Preserve
    with Santa and my friends
    by Lilasel
    I 've been surprised to know about one of Denali Park traditions to celebrate Christmas in August too. Local people explained me it was because on 23rd of August at Denali Park often started snowing. No, don't be afraid! It's not real snowfall, just a little. But I like this tradition - Santa Claus, Christmas gifts, decorated Christmas tree, wonderfull dinner and a lot of fun, music and smiles. Doesn't really matter it is August. The most important thing - people were happy! You can see one moment of this celebration at my picture.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Bustling train station
  • Tip Rating:
    • mht_in_la
  • Updated By mht_in_la on November 4, 2003
  • Denali National Park and Preserve Page by mht_in_la
    • Bustling train station - Denali National Park and Preserve
    Bustling train station
    by mht_in_la
    Holland and Princess are the biggest tour operators in Denali. They combine their cruise with land tours, bringing in thousands of tourists everyday. Also, their season starts early in May, while the Park doesn't officially open till Memorial Day weekend. So, when I visited Denali in early May, it's almost as if the Park was owned by Holland and Princess.

    Both companies have huge resorts in or near Denali National Park, and their guests all arrive by Alaska Railroad (part of their land tour package). Everyday around 2 pm, they bus their guests from previous day to the station. When the train arrives, they first unload new guests from train and load the old guests on the train. Then they use the same bus to send the new guests to the resort. The operation is bustling but highly effecient. As seen in photo, they have their own Holland or Princess dome cars drawn by Alaska Railroad locomotive. The day I was there, I counted the number of cars drawn: 5 for Holland, 5 for Princess. Only 2 for regular train travellers.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Cool off on the snow patches
  • Tip Rating:
    • worldtrekker
  • Updated By worldtrekker on February 13, 2003
  • Denali National Park and Preserve Page by worldtrekker
    • Caribou doing their thing - Denali National Park and Preserve
    Caribou doing their thing
    by worldtrekker
    If the Alaskan heat is getting to you, go plop yourself on one of these patches of snow and cool down for awhile. =)

    That's exactly what these caribou are doing. Another reason why you might see caribou resting on snow is to escape the hoards of mosquitos that plague them. In open areas such as this though where it's often windy, there aren't as many mosquitos since they don't have much in the way of trees and brush to cling to.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Even the bears are doing it...
  • Tip Rating:
    • worldtrekker
  • Updated By worldtrekker on February 13, 2003
  • Denali National Park and Preserve Page by worldtrekker
    • What a life... - Denali National Park and Preserve
    What a life...
    by worldtrekker
    Just chillin on a hot summer's day... well, hot by their standards...

    This was a really cool sighting! This Mama grizz and her two cubs (at least in their 2nd year) were just lazing around here on the snow. This photo was taken right from the bus window and without much zoom!

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    1
    More Denali National Park and Preserve Tips
    Overview
         		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 37 - Photos: 37
    Things To Do
    Tips: 109 - Photos: 122    		Nightlife
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 1
    Transportation
    Tips: 33 - Photos: 31    		Restaurants
    Tips: 14 - Photos: 7
    Shopping
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 1    		Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 24 - Photos: 24
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2    		Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 33 - Photos: 31
    Local Customs
    Tips: 9 - Photos: 9    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 7
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 2    		General Tips
    Tips: 64 - Photos: 63
    Best Denali National Park and Preserve Travel Deals

    Talkeetna Lodge and Cabin
    Views from all rooms excellent rates and service

    Denali national park and
    Hotels & Lodges in Great Locations Near Wildlife, Tours & Activities

    Denali Park Hotels
    Stay with us deep inside Denali Park or at the park entrance.

    Denali Park Lodging
    Affordable lodging and delicious Alaskan cuisine

    Alaska Packages
    Get Alaska Vacation Travel Packages Order a Free Brochure for More Info

    Sponsored Links

    More Denali National Park and Preserve Travel Deals

    Denali Lodging
    Insiders Review of Denali Lodging Find Out What Alaskans Have To Say!

    Alaska Vacation
    Alaskan vacation packages: Cruises Sightseeing tours & rail vacations.

    Alaska Denali
    Explore Alaska's National Parks. Denali, Kenai Fjords, & Katmai!

    Sponsored Links

    Cheap hotels from
    Cheap flights from
    Cheap car rentals from
    Cheap cruises from
    Cheap vacations from




    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.