Location: On the George Parks Highway #3 at the west end of the Denali Highway #8; 211 miles north of Anchorage and 28 miles south of Denali National Park. Population: 166
Cantwell is a popular highway stopping point, offering excellent clear weather views of North America's highest peak. At 20,320 feet, Denali's base to summit rise is greater than that of Mt. Everest.
The earliest inhabitants of the area were nomadic bands who trapped, hunted and fished throughout Interior Alaska. Cantwell began as a flag stop on the Alaska Railroad. Cantwell's economy is based on highway tourism and transportation. Most Native residents also depend on subsistence hunting, fishing, trapping and gatherings.
Cantwell is accessible by road, rail or air. The George Parks Highway 3 connects Fairbanks and Anchorage and the Denali Highway 8 links Denali National Park with Richardson Highway 4 during summer months only. There are two privately-owned airstrips. The Alaska Railroad is still in operation and provides train service.
