Buses, Denali National Park and Preserve

Unlike the green shuttle buses, the Savage River shuttle is completely free. While it only goes out to the 15-mile mark on the road, about the same distance as personal vehicles can go, it gets out from the main cluster of people, and allows you a small glimpse of the wilderness that saturates the park. There is a campground there if you are so inclined, allowing you to get away from the masses at Riley Creek yet still be comfortably close to the headquarters of the park and such. It also provides a nice base for hiking, exploring some of th emountains or valleys near Savage River.

It has regular departures from the Wilderness Access Center and Visitor's Center.

Denali's bus system can be a little daunting to those not familiar with it. Indeed, when I was planning my trip, it seemed like quite a hassle to figure out all the times and dates and destinations. The shuttle bus - green in color - are the most commonly used buses in the park. These buses head out along the 91-mile park road, stop at a destination, and turn around. You can stay on your same bus all the way out and back (there are some rest points to stretch), or you have the option of getting off at an earlier stop or anywhere else along the route and go for a hike, enjoy the scenery, etc. To get back, you just wait by the road and hail the next bus. Sounds a bit intimidating, but you usually find room in the first bus or two back. No sweat.

The buses are slow, traveling at an average of 15mph (including stop time), so estimate about 6 hours for a round-trip bus to Polychrome, for example. The buses on the way out often stop for wildlife, so you'll probably see some of the 'Big 5.' It is a relaxing way to spend the day, if you want to see the park and yet not do intensive hiking, or to take a break from other activities. Or it is the jump-start for an adventure out into the tundra. Your choice.

Prices of shuttle buses for 2008:
To Polychrome Stop (mile 46) - $22.75 adult, $11.50 child (15-17yo)
To Toklat Stop (mile 53) - $22.75 adult, $11.50 child (15-17yo)
To Eielson Stop (mile 65) - $29.25 adult, $14.00 child (15-17yo)
To Wonderlake Stop (mile 86) - $40.00 adult, $20.00 child (15-17yo)
To Kantishna Stop (mile 91) - $43.25 adult, $21.75 child (15-17yo)

Children 14 and under are free on all buses, but must have a reservation to board! Reservations can be made online or via phone or fax

There is one road in to DNP and there are very few private vehicles permitted to drive it (for example, a photographer may get a permit from the park service to drive in but you must be able to prove a high percentage of your income comes from publishing your photos and these permits are very limited). Most visitors see the park by taking a bus. The Park Service runs "shuttle busses" and tickets are available online (Denali Park Resorts website) or at the visitors center near the entrance of the park. They cost about $25, depending how far into the park you want to go. The tour company's (Princess, etc) run "tour busses" and cost up to $150 more. As I said, there's only one road so you're seeing the same things! The tour busses say they charge more because of the narrative given by the driver however the shuttle drivers are extremely knowlegable about the park and can usually answer your questions. On the shuttles, you can hop on, hop off anywhere along the road which allows you to explore further away from the road. There are accessible shuttle busses available.

there are no private vehicles allowed in the Denali NP unless you booked a campground a few miles after the entrance.
If you want to go to Eilson Visitor Centre, Wonder Lake or Kantishna you need to book your bus or tour ticket way in advance. This is the only way you can get into the Park. And do it, even if you are not a "coach-tour-tourist" it is fantastic.

For adventurous visitors check out the back country camping!

Since you can only drive your own vehicle the first 15 miles into the park, the best way to penetrate further into the interior is to take the bus. Shuttle bus service begins Memorial Day weekend and ends after Labor Day. Buses travel regularly from the visitor center to Toklat River (6 hours round trip), Eielson Visitor Center (8 hours), and Wonder Lake (11 hours).

You can get off the bus to explore on your own anywhere along the way and catch the next bus going in either direction. On my first trip to Denali, several years ago, I disembarked the bus about half way, near the Polychrome Overlook, and took a three hour solo hike, both along the road and cross-country. It was a fantastic experience, rewarded with sightings of a grizzly mother and cubs (on a distant ridge), many dall sheep, other wildlife and scenery that caused both my heart and my imagination to take wings.

The only way for you to realistically explore this park is with the use of the shuttle bus system. Of course this doesn't mean that you have to stay with the bus the entire time, but it will be your main mode of transportation. There are a few exceptions: for example you are camping at Teklanika or you're a published professional photographer with special permission. There is a checkpoint at Savage River and they check every vehicle passing through.
There are only a limited number of buses sheduled each day for the roundtrip into the park, so you may have to wait a day or 2 if you just show up at the visitor center. Reservations can be made in advance. I liked to get on one of the earliest buses because I was able to get more out of my day, especially if I planned on hiking.
Most people choose to make the roundtrip to Eielson Visitor Center. This is about an 8 hour roundtrip. You have the choice to get out of the bus anywhere (as long as there's no wildlife present) to hike and join another bus later. Most people don't take this unique opportunity!
Wonder Lake is also a popular option, but be aware that it adds about another 3 hours to your trip. Rest stops are made every hour or so.
There is no food or water provided on the shuttle trip. Make sure you bring enough to last you for the day. Also bring something warm to wear as well as binoculars and a camera!

The BEIGE school buses are used for tours:

Tundra Wilderness Tour - 6-8 hour narrated tour, includes box lunch, frequent restroom breaks, is on the look-out for wildlife and will stop for viewing & photographing from the bus. Duration of tour depends on weather and animal sightings. The bus goes as far as mile 54 to Tolkat River.
Morning and afternoon tours available
$77.25

Natural History Tour - A shorter 3-4 hour narrated tour where you will hear about the geology, history and landscape.
Tours available May 15 - Sept 16 $41.70

We did the Tundra Wilderness tour and frankly I thought it was too long of a ride in a school bus. But I am grateful for the animal sightings and glimpse of Mt. McKinley. If I did it over, I'd definitely take the green SHUTTLE bus and bring a day pack. You have a lot more flexibility.

For the vast majority of the park road, private vehicles are prohibited. There has been a lottery in the fall where some people can drive the entire road, however you are likely coming in the summer. Therefore, to go deep into the park, you must ride a bus.

A private tour company will take you to a certain point in the park depending on time and weather. These do not go all of the way to Wonder Lake. Most of the cruise ship tour groups take these. These busses will give a narrated tour of the park and will stop at certain locations and for major wildlife viewing.

There are also the park service school busses. These are your best bet. They can drop you off wherever you want to be dropped off, and they can pick you up along the road. They take backpackers, dayhikers, daytrippers, and those camping in the campgrounds into the park. The driver will stop if there is a request, such as a wildlife sighting.

Be warned that there are a limited number of slots available each day for a ride on the bus. You must be flexible and having a fair amount of time in the park will help you get what you want.