Denali Park Road

Denali Park Road, Park Road · Parks Highway → Savage River

Sweeping14.5 mi35 min1,600 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,000 ftOne way

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The drive

The first stretch of the Denali Park Road runs from the Parks Highway past park headquarters to the Savage River at mile 15. Private vehicles can drive as far as the Savage River Check Station in summer; this drive ends just short of the Savage River bridge.

In fall the park has let private vehicles drive as far as Teklanika at mile 30 as conditions allow.

Along the way

Parks Highway
Savage River

Elevation

1,600 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,000 ft

Parks HighwaySavage River

Curves

Mostly gentle, with two twisty stretches

mi 0–2mi 13–15

Parks HighwaySavage River

GentleHairpins

Good to know

There is an entrance fee, charged per person for ages 16 and up and valid for seven days.
In winter the road is plowed to Park Headquarters (mile 3) for most of the season, and usually opens to Mountain Vista (mile 13) in mid-February.
Expect snow, ice and mud in fall and spring, especially in shaded sections, and sections can close with little notice.
Watch for wildlife, and for areas closed for nesting, denning or a carcass.

Closed past park headquarters from about mid-October to mid-April; opens in stages in spring. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NPS: Denali road conditions.

Questions about this drive

Is the Denali Park Road open in winter?

The road is plowed to Park Headquarters at mile 3 for most of the winter and usually opens to Mountain Vista at mile 13 in mid-February, according to the National Park Service.

How far can you drive on the Denali Park Road?

In summer private vehicles can go as far as the Savage River Check Station at mile 15. This drive covers 14.5 miles of it and takes about 35 minutes.

Is there a fee to drive the Denali Park Road?

Denali charges an entrance fee, $15 per person ages 16 and up for a 7-day permit, and annual passes are available.

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.

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

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