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Parks Highway: Nenana Canyon, Alaska Range, Alaska
Photo: Roger Sylvia · CC BY-SA 3.0

Drives Alaska Fairbanks, Denali and Interior Alaska

Parks Highway: Nenana Canyon

Parks Highway, AK 3 · Cantwell → Healy

Leisurely37 mi40 min1,600 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,200 ftOne way
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The drive

This stretch of the George Parks Highway runs north from Cantwell, where the Denali Highway meets it, past the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, and on to Healy. The Parks Highway is the principal road access to Denali.

The route stops in the Nenana Canyon near the park entrance. The Alaska Railroad mostly parallels the highway along its length. It is a gentle road, rated Leisurely, and 37.2 miles takes about 40 minutes.

Along the way

  1. Cantwell
  2. Nenana Canyon (Denali Park)
  3. Healy
Elevation
1,600 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,200 ft
CantwellHealy
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
CantwellHealy
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Check Alaska 511 for current conditions before driving in winter.
  • The highway meets the Denali Highway at Cantwell, at the start of this drive.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Alaska 511 road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Parks Highway from Cantwell to Healy take?

The Parks Highway from Cantwell to Healy is 37.2 miles and takes about 40 minutes.

Is the Parks Highway twisty near Denali?

No. This stretch of the Parks Highway is rated Leisurely, with mostly gentle curves.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Parks Highway: Nenana Canyon, from Cantwell to Healy