Page 256 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

The Alaskan Railroad is what made and campgrounds. No reservation is hot springs lets you get into hot water,
this Alaskan city as it linked together required for the free bus but encouraged see wildlife and Aurora, and enjoy the
vast regions of the state. Today it is still for the others. More information about cool interior of their astonishing Ice
the starting point for reaching by train the buses and sightseeing in Denali can Museum and bar.
the cities of Whittier to the southeast on be found on the website of the National
Prince William Sound, south to Seward Park Service. A unique way to the park is There are many accommodations
on the Kenai Peninsula, and all the way with Denali Air. This “breathtaking, once- in Fairbanks but we recommend Rivers
north through Denali to Fairbanks. in-a-lifetime, bucket list experience” is Edge Resort on the Chena River. For real
the perfect way to get up close to the home cooked Alaskan food in Fairbanks
Starting on Glenn Highway #1, the mountain and surrounding landscape. try the Pump House and Chena’s Alaskan
only road going north out of Anchorage Their private airstrip is located just south Grill. Just out of town, Ivory Jacks is
and continuing onto the George Parks of the park and they offer several flight located in the Goldstream Valley.
Highway #3 at the interchange of the seeing tours.
two roads 35 miles later, it will take There are a few different ways to get
you just over four hours or 237 miles to Continue on to Fairbanks just another back to Anchorage from Fairbanks, but
reach Denali National Park. Many rural 122 miles from Denali National Park. you can simply return on the George
locations in Alaska use a mile marker on The George Parks Highway will take Parks Highway. Another option is to
the road to denote their physical address you through some stunning scenery take Richardson Highway #2 southeast
and Denali’s entrance is at Mile 237 on with numerous opportunities for picture to Delta Junction, passing through the
Highway #3. taking. Once in Fairbanks there are town of North Pole (won’t that be a great
activities for the whole family including Christmas card and yes, it’s a real town).
Stemming from the Athabaskan fun family gold panning at Gold At Delta Junction, pick up Richardson
language, Denali means “the tall one” Daughters, wildlife viewing and even Highway #4 South to Glennallen, then
and it is once again the official name of dog mushing. From April through August, Glenn Highway #1 into Anchorage. Or
the tallest mountain in North America. Fairbanks is home of the midnight sun continue on Hwy #2 for another 100
Situated in a six-million-acre national with 24 hours of daylight so there is plenty miles to Tok, the first town inside the US/
park, Denali is the breathtaking crown of time to experience everything this city Canada border on the Alaska Hwy, for
jewel is an area of vast tundra, spruce has to offer. Pioneer Park is a free family some great flightseeing with 40-Mile Air.
filled forests and rolling glaciers. There is destination in the heart of Fairbanks.
only one road in Denali and it is accessible The Pioneer Air Museum located there More to See and Do Along Itinerary
by private vehicle through Mile 15. The tells the story of aviation in Alaska and #1 Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks and
rest of the 77 miles is open only to a displays many colorful full size planes. Beyond
private bus company. From late May Enjoy a riverboat cruise down the Chena
through early September, private motor River on the Riverboat Discovery or the Your journey from Anchorage to
vehicles can drive to Savage River. Along Tanana Chief. Fairbanks covers about 360 miles, and
the way there are numerous pullouts to while it can be driven in 7 hours non-stop,
stop and take pictures of the incredible Just north of the city on Steese you don’t want to do that! Take the time
scenery and on a clear day The Mountain Highway, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline to explore everything that catches your
can be seen as early as Mile 9. There display and viewpoint is as close as fancy, stay overnight or longer along the
are three different types of buses that you can get to this amazing feat of way, and savor this moment. Following
operate within the park: a narrated tour engineering. Located 60 miles northeast are some highlights of the trip.
bus, a non-narrated transit bus, and a free of Fairbanks on Chena Hot Springs road
bus that enable people who don’t have a off Steese Highway, the world-famous
car or choose to leave theirs behind, to
travel between the park’s trails, facilities

Drive

Alaska Southcentral

254 Drive Alaska