Why Drive the Parks Highway?
The Parks Highway is Alaska’s great north–south artery. 358 miles of mountain passes, river valleys, boreal forest, and open tundra connecting Anchorage to Fairbanks through the heart of the state. It’s the only road to Denali National Park and the highway that offers the single best chance of a roadside view of North America’s tallest peak, Mt Denali/Mt. McKinley. Denali translates to “The Great One” and seems very appropriate for this 20,310-foot mountain. Whether you have one day or one week, driving the Parks Highway is a wonderful Alaska road trip. Over twelve years and $150 million went into the completion of the Parks Highway in Alaska in 1971.
The Road to Denali National Park
Mile 237 marks the entrance to Denali National Park, home to Mount Denali at 20,310 feet — the tallest peak in North America. No other highway brings you this close to it by road. The Denali Park Road can
One of the Best Wildlife Highways in North America
Moose, grizzly bears, black bears, Dall sheep, caribou, bald eagles, and salmon-filled rivers. The Parks Highway corridor delivers consistent wildlife encounters that rival many national park interiors.
A Mountain-to-Tundra Journey
Starting in coastal Southcentral Alaska, the drive climbs through forested river valleys, crosses the Alaska Range foothills, and transitions into open subarctic tundra near Broad Pass — a landscape shift that feels
Seasonal Drama
Each season transforms the drive:
- Summer brings wildflowers and lush forest and daylight that lasts 20+ hours. Driving at 11 PM in full sun is a uniquely Alaskan experience.
- Fall paints the tundra gold and red.In autumn and winter, the Parks Highway is one of Alaska’s prime aurora borealis viewing corridor due to the darker and drier Interior skies.
- Winter wraps the corridor in deep snow.
- Spring reveals bears and moose with newborn young.
Plan your own custom Itinerary on the Park Highway, with our Free Travel Planner for Alaska.
Select “Routes IN Alaska” and then select “Anchorage to Denali National Park & Fairbanks” to get a complete list of accommodations and activities that match your interests.
Top 12 Scenic Stops on the Parks Highway
Thunderbird Falls
Milepost: ~MP 26 (Eklutna exit) • Time needed: 45–60 minutes • Best season: May–October
A short, well-maintained 1-mile trail leads through birch and spruce forest to a dramatic 200-foot tiered waterfall tucked into the Chugach foothills. One of the most rewarding easy hikes in Southcentral Alaska — accessible to nearly all fitness levels.
Photo tip: Shoot from the lower platform for the full tiered effect. Overcast days reduce harsh shadows in the gorge.
Parking/Access: Small gravel lot at the trailhead. Not recommended for large RVs.
Eklutna Lake Recreation Area
Milepost: ~MP 26 (Eklutna exit — follow signs ~10 miles to lake) • Time needed: 2–4 hours or overnight • Best season: May–September
Eklutna Lake is the largest lake in Chugach State Park and one of the most scenic day-trip destinations out of Anchorage. The 12-mile trail along the lakeshore offers stunning views of the surrounding glaciated peaks. Kayak and bike rentals are available on-site, and camping is popular at the lakeside campground. Lifetime adventures at Eklutna Lake is an excellent place to start your adventure. They have kayak and bike rentals to enjoy this stunning area.
Photo tip: Shoot down the length of the lake toward the glacier for the signature wide panorama. Morning light is ideal.
Parking/Access: Large paved lot at the trailhead. Suitable for most RVs. Day-use and camping fees apply.
Eklutna Historical Park
Milepost: ~MP 26 (Eklutna exit) • Time needed: 30–60 minutes • Best season: May–September
A unique and moving site where Athabascan heritage meets Russian Orthodox influence. Colorful spirit houses — small wooden structures painted in each family’s colors — mark the graves of Alaska Native ancestors. Guided tours are available and provide deep cultural context.
Photo tip: Wide-angle shots capture the full spirit house rows with the log church in the background.
Parking/Access: Small gravel lot. Accessible for standard vehicles and small RVs.
Hatcher Pass
Milepost: MP 42 (Wasilla-Fishhook Road) or MP 71 (Willow-Fishhook Road spur) • Time needed: Half day • Best season: June–September
One of the most photogenic detours in all of Southcentral Alaska. Alpine meadows of wildflowers, gold rush ruins at Independence Mine State Historical Park, and sweeping valley panoramas reward the drive up the gravel road. Hatcher Pass can be accessed from Wasilla or Willow. Wasilla’s access route is paved most of the way to Independence Mine. The road from Willow is mostly gravel and can be a rough road. It’s not recommended for larger RVs.
Photo tip: The mine buildings against the alpine backdrop are the signature shot. Wildflowers peak in mid-July.
Parking/Access: Paved parking at Independence Mine. Upper areas are gravel with limited pull-outs.
Nancy Lake State Recreation Area
Milepost: MP 67.3 • Time needed: Half day to multi-day • Best season: June–September
A network of canoe trails linking dozens of small lakes through boreal forest make for an ideal multi-day paddling escape. Portage routes connect the lakes, and primitive campsites dot the shorelines. For travelers who want a quieter, less-crowded alternative to the Denali corridor, Nancy Lake is the answer.
Photo tip: Early morning mist on the lakes makes for atmospheric wide shots.
Parking/Access: Paved day-use lot. Canoe rentals available on-site.
Talkeetna
Milepost: MP 99 (14-mile paved spur) • Time needed: 2–4 hours or overnight • Best season: Year-round
A charming frontier town that serves as base camp for Denali climbers and the departure point for world-class flightseeing over the Alaska Range. The Talkeetna Roadhouse serves legendary cinnamon rolls. Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures offers river wildlife tours. Talkeetna is the Parks Highway’s most complete town stop.
Photo tip: The view of Denali from the town airstrip on a clear day is unforgettable. Evening light is ideal.
Parking/Access: Town parking is plentiful. RV parking available in designated areas.
Views of The Alaska Range
Milepost: MP 104 • Best season: Year-round
At mile 104 there is a good view of the three tallest peaks in the Alaska Range: Foraker, Hunter and Denali, left to right.
Denali Viewpoint South
Milepost: MP 134.8 • Time needed: 15–30 minutes • Best season: Year-round
A large, RV-friendly rest area with interpretive signs and one of the best roadside views of Denali anywhere on the highway. On clear days, the 20,310-foot summit dominates the southern horizon. Denali is visible roughly 30% of the time — if you see a clearing in the clouds, pull over immediately.
Photo tip: A wide lens captures both the full mountain and the forested valley below. Morning light hits the south face.
Parking/Access: Large paved rest area, suitable for all vehicle sizes including big rigs.
K’esugi Ken Campground
Milepost: MP 135.4 • Time needed: Overnight or multi-night stay • Best season: Mid-May through mid-September
A well-equipped state campground offering 32 RV sites with electric hookups, 10 walk-in tent sites, three public-use cabins, and a group camping area. Views of the Alaska Range and Denali are available from several sites. An interpretive center, over 2 miles of trails, and ADA-compliant facilities round out the amenities. Reservations available through Reserve America.
Photo tip: Denali framed by spruce treeline from the upper campground sites on clear mornings.
Parking/Access: Paved campground lot with hookup sites. Suitable for all RV sizes.
Byers Lake — Denali State Park
Milepost: MP 147 • Time needed: 1–3 hours or overnight • Best season: May–October
A clear mountain lake set within Denali State Park’s boreal forest, with close-up Denali views on clear days. The campground here is one of the best-situated on the entire highway — serene, accessible, and strikingly beautiful. Canoe rentals are available, and several hiking trails fan out from the lakeshore.
Photo tip: Denali reflection in the lake on a calm morning is one of the Parks Highway’s most iconic shots.
Parking/Access: Large paved campground lot. Suitable for most RVs.
Denali Viewpoint North
Milepost: MP 163 • Time needed: 15–30 minutes • Best season: Year-round
Another prime roadside pull-off for Denali photography just north of Denali State Park. Often less crowded than the southern viewpoint, with a slightly different angle on the peak. A worthwhile stop even if you’ve already stopped at MP 134.8.
Photo tip: Slightly elevated angle compared to the southern viewpoint — experiment with foreground wildflowers in summer.
Parking/Access: Paved pull-out with space for several vehicles.
Hurricane Gulch Bridge
Milepost: MP 174.3 • Time needed: 10–15 minutes • Best season: Year-round
One of Alaska’s most dramatic highway crossings — a 254-foot span above the churning white water of Hurricane Creek. The bridge itself is a feat of engineering, and the views straight down into the gorge are breathtaking.
Photo tip: Shoot straight down into the gorge for the most dramatic effect. A telephoto lens picks up the whitewater detail.
Parking/Access: Small paved pull-out on the north side of the bridge.
Nenana
Milepost: MP 304 • Time needed: 30–60 minutes • Best season: Year-round
A small historic river town best known for the Nenana Ice Classic (a beloved statewide guessing pool where Alaskans predict when the Tanana River ice will break up each spring). The Alaska Railroad Depot here dates to the 1920s and is one of the most intact early railroad structures in interior Alaska. A worthwhile stop to see a unique slice of small town Alaska on the Fairbanks approach.
Photo tip: The railroad depot and river confluence frame nicely together from the riverbank.
Parking/Access: Town parking, suitable for all vehicle types.
Parks Highway Highlights
The Parks Highway mile markers in the following highway description correspond to the numbers appearing on the mileposts on the side of the highway. The Parks Highway mileposts are placed every mile for the entire length of the road (with some exceptions where the gap between mileposts is longer). This description of the highway begins in Anchorage and follows the route’s 358 miles to Fairbanks. The first 36 miles of this road log are on the Glenn Highway. When you reach Wasilla, you will join the Parks Highway.
For a complete list of Things to do in Alaska, visit our Things To Do section. For information on places to camp, visit our section on camping in Alaska. To determine when you should plan your trip to Alaska, visit our page on the best time to visit Alaska. Finally, many visitors to the north want to experience the Northern Lights, so we’ve put together a page of detailed information on how and when to see the Northern Lights in Alaska.
Updates on Road Conditions and Construction on the Parks Highway: http://511.alaska.gov
Iditarod Headquarters
Wasilla is home to the Iditarod Headquarters, which features a museum, gift shop, sled dog rides. Turn left on the Knik Goose Bay Road (when heading North) and drive 2 miles.
Mile 47
Big Lake Recreation Area
At Mile 52.2 is the road to Big Lake Recreation area, one of the major recreational areas for Southcentral Alaska. There are numerous lakes and campgrounds in this area including Big Lake, Beaver Lake, Rocky Lake and Horseshoe Lake. The lakes are connected by dredged waterways. Fishing is good for rainbow, lake trout, Dolly Varden, burbot, and landlocked salmon.
Hatcher Pass
Hatcher Pass can be accessed from Palmer, Wasilla or Willow. The Willow-Fishhook Road from mile 71 leads to Hatcher Pass. most of this road is gravel and rough and may not be suitable for larger RV’s. Hatcher Pass is closed during the winter. If you decide to visit Hatcher Pass, be sure to stop at the Independence Mine State Historical Park.
Talkeetna, Alaska
Talkeetna can be reached on a 14 mile side road at mile 99 of the Parks Highway. Talkeetna is a cute frontier town that is the staging area for mountaineers attempting to climb Mt. Denali. It is also where most of the Denali Flightseeing tours depart from.
Denali State Park
Denali State Park begins at mile 132 of the Parks Highway and ends at mile 168. The Denali State Park has some of the best, and most accessible viewpoints of Mt. Denali.
The western boundary of Denali State Park touches the south eastern boundary of Denali National Park.
Mile 133
Denali Viewpoint (South)
At mile 134.7 there is a large rest area with magnificent views of Mt. Denali. There is plenty of space for all size RV’s. There is informational signs on the mountain and plenty of amazing scenery to enjoy.
K’esugi Ken Campground
Located at Mile 135.4 of the Parks Highway, this state campground offers 32 RV sites with electric hookups, 10 walk-in tent sites, three public-use cabins, and a group camping area. Views of the Alaska Range and Denali are available from several sites. An interpretive center, over 2 miles of trails, and ADA-compliant facilities round out the amenities.
Byers Lake Campground
Byers Lake Campground at mile 147 is in Denali State Park and has awesome views of Mt. Denali. There are 73 sites and the campground has water, toilets, a boat launch, fishing and hiking trails.
Denali Highway
The Denali Highway meets the Parks Highway at Cantwell, at mile 210. The Denali Highway connects to Paxson on the Richardson Highway. The highway is mostly gravel and not recommended for large RV’s. However, it is a very beautiful and rugged highway, and should be added to any Alaskan adventure looking to get away from the crowds.
Most car rental companies do not allow you to drive the Denali Highway, but there are a few that do. You can find more info here.
Denali National Park
Denali National Park is the crown jewel of Interior Alaska. This is where you will find Mt. Denali, the tallest peak in North America. The entrance to the park is at mile 237.3,
You won’t be able to see Mt. Denali from the Denali town (which is 1 mile past the Denali Park Entrance), but if you take a shuttle into the park, you will get spectacular, close-up views of this towing mountain. Only the first 15 miles of the Park Road are open to the public. To go further on the Park Road, you will need to take a shuttle or have a park pass, which are given out in a lottery each year.
If you have reservations at one of the campgrounds inside Denali National Park, you will also be allowed to drive further than Savage River at mile 15.
Hotels & Camping in Denali
Things To Do in Denali
Healy
Healy is 9 miles from the Denali National Park Entrance. Many people choose to base themselves in Healy because it is less busy and less expensive than staying in the heart of Denali. There are hotels and campgrounds and a grocery store in Healy.
Nenana
The village of Nenana is situated at the confluence of the Nenana and Tanana Rivers about halfway between Fairbanks and Denali National Park.
Nenana is famous for its Ice Classic, a lottery based on guessing when the ice in the Tanana River will break up in April or May of each year; a tradition since 1917.
Nenana Visitor Information Center & Three Rivers Trading Post is located in the cabin at the corner of the Parks Highway and the entrance to Nenana.
Nenana offers visitors a truly authentic Alaskan town with a surprising number of amenities including museums, shopping and restaurants.
Ester
The community of Ester is located about 8 miles west of Fairbanks and is one of the oldest gold mining settlements in Alaska’s Interior. Gold was discovered on Ester Creek in 1906, and the camp that developed quickly grew into one of the most productive mining districts in the Interior. Ester remains a small but memorable stop where Alaska’s gold mining past is still visible in everyday life.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is Alaska’s second largest city and the hub for Alaska’s Interior and Arctic. It’s summers are known for the midnight sun, which never seems to set and its winters are known for it’s brilliant Northern Lights.
Accommodations & Camping in Fairbanks
Things to Do in Fairbanks
Frequently Asked Questions about the Parks Highway
How many hours drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks?
The drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 358 miles and takes between 6 and 8 hours. The Parks highway is a smooth fast road with speed limits up to 65 mph.
Is Fairbanks or Anchorage closer to Denali?
Fairbanks is closer to Denali National Park. It is 120 miles from Denali to Fairbanks and 240 miles from Denali to Anchorage.
Can I drive from Anchorage to Denali?
Yes you can drive From Anchorage to Denali on the Parks Highway. it is 240 miles of good highway and takes between 4 to 5 hours.
What is the best time of year to visit Denali National Park?
Summer is the best time to visit Denali National Park. Specifically, June – August. During the summer, the temperatures will be warmer and there will be very long daylight hours to explore (over 20 hours of daylight). It is also the best time to see wildlife roaming through the National Park.
How to get to Denali National Park without a car?
If you are not renting a vehicle in Alaska, you can still see most of the major sites, including Denali National Park. The Alaska Railroad is the best way to get to Denali National Park without a car.
How long does it take to drive the Parks Highway with stops?
Without stops, the 358-mile drive takes roughly 6–7 hours. With scenic stops, plan a full day. Most visitors break it into two days, overnighting near Talkeetna or Denali National Park.
Is the Parks Highway paved the whole way?
Yes, the Parks Highway (Alaska Route 3) is fully paved for its entire 358-mile length. Road quality is generally good, though frost heaves, patching, and construction zones are common — particularly in spring and summer.
Can you see Denali from the Parks Highway?
Yes — the Parks Highway offers some of the best roadside Denali views in Alaska. Key viewpoints are at mile 70 (Willow area), mile 104, mile 134.8 (Denali Viewpoint South rest area), and mile 163 (Denali Viewpoint North). Denali is visible roughly 30% of days due to cloud cover, so patience pays off.
What are the best stops between Anchorage and Fairbanks?
Top stops include Eklutna Lake Recreation Area, Hatcher Pass, Talkeetna (for flightseeing and jet boats), Byers Lake in Denali State Park, Hurricane Gulch Bridge, Broad Pass, and the Denali National Park entrance at mile 237. See the full Top Stops section above.
Is the Parks Highway safe to drive in winter?
Yes, but use caution. It is Alaska’s best-maintained year-round highway. Winter hazards include ice, blowing snow, limited daylight, and moose on the road. Broad Pass (around MP 195–210) is particularly prone to icy conditions. Use winter tires, carry an emergency kit, and check 511.alaska.gov before departing.
How often are fuel stops along the Parks Highway?
Fuel is available in Wasilla, Big Lake, Houston, Willow, Trapper Creek, Cantwell, Healy, and Nenana. Gaps between services can reach 50–80 miles in the Denali corridor — fill up before entering that stretch.
What wildlife can you see along the Parks Highway?
Moose are most commonly seen along the Wasilla-to-Denali corridor. Bears (black and grizzly) appear near Denali State Park. Caribou migrate through Broad Pass in autumn. Eagles and waterfowl are common near river crossings. Always use pullouts and never approach wildlife.
Are there RV campgrounds along the Parks Highway?
Yes. Key campgrounds include Nancy Lake State Recreation Area (MP 67), K’esugi Ken Campground (MP 135.4), Byers Lake Campground in Denali State Park (MP 147), Denali National Park campgrounds (MP 237), and sites near Nenana (MP 304). Private RV parks operate in Wasilla, Talkeetna, Healy, and near Denali National Park. Reservations are strongly recommended June–August.
Does the Parks Highway go through Denali National Park?
The Parks Highway passes the Denali National Park entrance at mile 237, but private vehicles cannot drive into the park beyond the first 15 miles. Visitors must use park buses to travel further. The highway itself does not pass through the park interior.
When is the best time to drive the Parks Highway?
June through August offers the best weather, long daylight hours (including midnight sun), and access to all services. September brings spectacular fall color to the tundra near Broad Pass. The highway is driveable year-round, but services thin dramatically in winter.
Parks Highway Map
The map of the Parks Highway is shown by two different maps. The first map shows the highway from Anchorage to Mile 163, the Denali View Northern Viewpoint. The second section of the highway shows from the north viewpoint to Fairbanks.
The first 36 miles of the Parks Highway is shared with the Glen Highway. At mile 36, the two highways split.
