Updated
Denali National Park key statistics
- 543,300 recreation visits in 20251
- 574,630 recreation visits from January to September 2026 (preliminary), up 6.4% on the same months of 20252
- 39th most visited of the 63 U.S. national parks in 20253
- 47,477 overnight stays in 2025, nearly 60% of them in the backcountry4
- $611.95 million spent by visitors in 20245
- July was the busiest month of 2025, with 151,455 visitors2
- 6,075,030 acres, rising to 20,310 feet at the summit of Mount McKinley6
How many people visit Denali National Park each year?
Around half a million people visit Denali National Park each year.1
Year by year:
- 543,300 visitors in 2025, up 16.5% from 2024.1
- 466,227 visitors in 2024, down 6.5% from 2023.1
- 498,722 in 2023, up 16.6% from 427,562 in 2022.1
- 601,152 in 2019, before the pandemic.1
The lowest recent total was 54,850 in 2020, during the pandemic.1 Visits recovered to 229,521 in 2021, more than four times the 2020 total. The record is 642,809 visitors, set in 2017.
How much do visitors spend at Denali National Park every year?
Visitor spending is almost back to its pre-pandemic level:
- $611.95 million in 2024, up 9.4% from $559.41 million in 20235
- $559.41 million in 2023, up 17.8% from $474.89 million in 20225
- $474.89 million in 2022, up from $255.22 million in 20215
- $57.71 million in 2020, down from $612.77 million in 20195
These are the most recent figures, as the National Park Service's spending data for Denali runs only to 2024.5
How many people have visited Denali National Park in 2026?
Denali National Park recorded 574,630 recreation visits from January to September 2026, 6.4% more than the 539,934 recorded over the same months of 2025.2 That is already more than the 543,300 visits of the whole of 2025.1
- July 2026 was the busiest month so far, with 162,082 visits, up 7.0% from 151,455 in July 2025.2
- August 2026 drew 153,527 visits, up 6.3% from 144,364 in August 2025.2
- June 2026 brought 143,969 visits, up 7.9% from 133,472 in June 2025.2
- September 2026 had the biggest rise, with 59,673 visits, up 31.2% from 45,485 in September 2025.2
- The quiet months were down: April 2026 had 1,269 visits, against 8,080 in April 2025.2
Every summer month of 2026 so far, from May to September, has had more visits than the same month of 2025.2 The 2026 figures are preliminary; the National Park Service finalizes them by the end of the first quarter of the following year.
| Month | 2025 visits | 2026 visits (preliminary) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2,254 | 1,976 | −12.3% |
| February | 3,524 | 2,401 | −31.9% |
| March | 8,479 | 4,903 | −42.2% |
| April | 8,080 | 1,269 | −84.3% |
| May | 42,821 | 44,830 | +4.7% |
| June | 133,472 | 143,969 | +7.9% |
| July | 151,455 | 162,082 | +7.0% |
| August | 144,364 | 153,527 | +6.3% |
| September | 45,485 | 59,673 | +31.2% |
| October | 3 | Not yet released | – |
| November | 1,283 | Not yet released | – |
| December | 2,080 | Not yet released | – |
| January–September | 539,934 | 574,630 | +6.4% |
Source · National Park Service (NPS) Visitor Use Statistics. 2026 figures are preliminary. October and November 2025 fall within the federal government shutdown (October 1 to November 12) and are likely undercounts.
How many people visit Denali National Park per day?
Denali National Park averaged about 1,490 recreation visits a day in 2025.1 That is down from about 1,650 a day in 2019.
- July was the busiest month, averaging about 4,890 visits a day.2
- Winter is very quiet: December 2025 averaged about 67 visits a day, and January 2025 about 73.2
- October 2025 recorded just 3 visits, against 6,405 in October 2024.2 That most likely reflects the federal government shutdown from October 1 to November 12, 2025, rather than an empty park, so the 1,283 visits recorded in November 2025 are probably too low as well.7
How much does it cost to visit Denali National Park?
Entry fees for Denali National Park in 2026:
- $15 per person aged 16 or older (valid for 7 days); children 15 and under enter free8
- $45 for a Denali annual pass, which covers up to four adults8
The park charges its entrance fee year-round and does not accept cash.8
How much time should you spend in Denali National Park?
Plan on at least one full day in Denali National Park, and two or three if you can. Most of the park lies beyond Mile 15 of the park road, where you can travel only by bus, by bicycle or on foot.9
- Half a day or less: visit the Denali Visitor Center, walk the short trails nearby or watch a sled dog demonstration. You're unlikely to see much wildlife on a visit this short.9
- One full day: the real minimum for a visit, with time for a transit or tour bus trip along the park road.9
- Two full days: a common length of visit. Use one day for a bus trip and the second for hiking, or for a second bus trip to improve your chances of seeing wildlife.9
- Three or more days: lets you make the most of Denali's unpredictable weather, saving clear days for bus rides and hikes.9
How the buses work: The park's concessioner runs transit and tour buses along the 92-mile Denali Park Road to the old mining community of Kantishna.9 From May 20 to 31, the Tundra Wilderness Tour travels a shorter distance, because the road doesn't open fully until early June.
How does Denali rank among U.S. national parks?
- Denali was the 39th most visited U.S. national park in 2025, out of 63, with 543,300 recreation visits.3
- In 2024, Denali was named one of the top 10 favorite national parks in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards reader survey10, which singled out its scenery and wildlife.
- While Denali is Alaska's second most visited national park after Glacier Bay (740,044 visits in 202511), it draws only a fraction of the visitors of the busiest parks, such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which attracted 11.53 million visitors in 202512.
- Read more about the U.S. National Park Ranking.
| U.S. rank | Park | Recreation visits |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | 740,044 |
| 39 | Denali National Park & Preserve | 543,300 |
| 45 | Kenai Fjords National Park | 425,369 |
| 55 | Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve | 108,840 |
| 59 | Katmai National Park & Preserve | 34,479 |
| 61 | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve | 19,778 |
| 62 | Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve | 14,923 |
| 63 | Kobuk Valley National Park | 7,786 |
Source · Public Lands Data, from National Park Service (NPS) Visitor Use Statistics
Denali visitors by month: busiest and quietest months
Denali is a summer park: June, July and August brought 79% of its 543,300 visits in 2025, while January to April together drew just 22,337 visits.2 The five busiest months of 2025 were:
- July was the busiest, with 151,455 visitors2, when the weather is warmest and the whole park is open.
- August came a close second with 144,364 visitors2, helped by late-summer vacations and good wildlife viewing.
- June had 133,472 visitors2, as summer began and park roads and services opened.
- September drew 45,485 visitors2, with cooler days, fall colors and thinner crowds.
- May brought 42,821 visitors2, as more of the park opened and crowds were still light.
When is the best time to visit Denali National Park?
- The best time to visit Denali National Park is in summer (late May to mid-September).13 This is when the park is easiest to get around, with all facilities and services open. Buses run on the Denali Park Road from around May 20 until mid-September.
- You can also visit in fall (mid-September to early October), when the tundra turns red and orange; the colors start to appear in late August. Longer nights also bring chances to see the northern lights.
How many people camp in Denali National Park each year?
Denali National Park recorded 47,477 overnight stays in 2025, 1.3% more than the 46,845 in 2024 but 9.7% below the 52,593 of 2019.4 The National Park Service counts overnight stays (one person for one night), not individual campers, so one person camping for three nights counts three times.
In 2025, the stays broke down as:
- Backcountry camping: 27,928 overnight stays4
- Park campgrounds (run by the park's concessioner): 19,549 overnight stays4
Read more about Camping Statistics in the US.
How do people camp in Denali National Park?
Denali National Park has six campgrounds along its one road: three for RVs and tents, with 232 sites, and three for tents only, with 42 sites.6 Backcountry campers accounted for about 59% of the park's overnight stays in 2025.4
- RV and tent campgrounds: Riley Creek (Mile 0.25), Savage River (Mile 14) and Teklanika River (Mile 29). Teklanika requires a minimum three-night stay if you drive there.14
- Tent-only campgrounds: Sanctuary River (Mile 22) and Igloo Creek (Mile 35) are reached by bus. Wonder Lake (Mile 85) is currently closed.14
- Seasons: Riley Creek is open all year; the others open in summer only. Camping is free in winter, roughly late September to early May.14
- Booking: Campground reservations are made through the park's concessioner and open on December 1 of the year before your visit.14
- RVs: No campground in Denali takes an RV over 40 feet, and none has electric or water hookups.14
- Backpacking: The park is divided into 87 backcountry units. Units can only be reserved in person at the Backcountry Information Center, no more than one day before your trip.15
- No roadside camping: Vehicles may camp only in established, open campgrounds, never in pullouts or at the side of the road.14 You can stay up to 14 nights in a summer season.
RV rental in the USA
Denali National Park facts: size, history and landscape
- Established: February 26, 1917, as Mount McKinley National Park.6 It was renamed Denali National Park and Preserve on December 2, 1980, when it roughly tripled in size.
- Size: 6,075,030 acres6, or 9,492 square miles, an area larger than New Hampshire.
- Location: South-central Alaska, between Anchorage and Fairbanks16.
- Elevation: From 223 feet on the Yentna River at the park boundary6 to 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) at the summit of Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, North America's highest peak.
- Landscape: Alpine tundra, forests, glaciers and canyons, with one-sixth of the park covered by glaciers17.
- Wildlife: 39 mammal species, including moose, bears, and wolves, and 169 bird species18.
- Plants: More than 1,500 species19, from boreal forest to tundra.
- Visitor milestones: Visits first passed 100,000 a year in 1973 and 500,000 in 1986, and peaked at 642,809 in 2017.1
- One road: The Denali Park Road runs 92 miles from the entrance to Kantishna.9 Beyond Mile 15, you can travel only by bus, by bicycle or on foot.
How many people climb Mount McKinley each year?
Around 1,000 climbers register to climb Mount McKinley each year. In 2026, 976 climbers registered and 582 reached the summit, a success rate of 60% (preliminary figures).20
- 2025: 960 registered climbers attempted the peak and 36% reached the summit.21 Poor weather at the start and end of the season pulled the rate below its usual level, which hovers just below 50%.
- Routes: 96% of 2025 climbers (922 of 960) went up the West Buttress21, the least technical route to the summit.22
- Who climbs: In 2025, 64% of climbers on Mount McKinley and Mount Foraker came from the U.S. and 36% came from 52 other countries.21 Women made up 21% of climbers on McKinley.
- Time: The average expedition takes 17 to 21 days, round trip.22
- Deaths: 5 climbers died on the West Buttress in 2026.20
- Permits: The climbing fee is $475 for the 2027 season, or $375 for climbers aged 24 or younger, plus the $15 park entrance fee.23 Climbers must register at least 60 days before their start date.
What are the most common causes of visitor deaths in Denali National Park?
There were 75 recorded deaths in Denali National Park between 2007 and February 202624. The recorded causes were:
- Fall (25 deaths)24
- Environmental (20 deaths)24
- Other Transportation (11 deaths)24
- Undetermined (10 deaths)24
- Medical - During Physical Activity (2 deaths)24
- Motor Vehicle Crash (2 deaths)24
- Suicide (2 deaths)24
- Drowning (1 death)24
- Medical - Not During Physical Activity (1 death)24
- Wildlife Incident (1 death)24
Is Denali National Park dangerous?
Deaths in Denali National Park are rare for a park with about half a million visits a year, but its remote wilderness, cold weather and wildlife all call for care. More people die from falls than from any other cause in the park25, and cell phone coverage exists only within three miles of the park entrance. A few precautions help keep you safe:
General Safety Tips:
- Plan Ahead: Learn the park's layout, weather and hazards, and read the park's "Know Before You Go" page.
- Stay on Trails: Stick to marked paths to avoid injury or getting lost.
Wildlife Safety:
- Bear Awareness: Carry bear spray, make noise, and avoid surprise encounters.
- Distance from Wildlife: Stay 300 yards from bears and 25 yards from other animals at all times.25
- Do Not Feed Wildlife: Feeding changes how animals behave and can make them dangerous.
Hiking Safety:
- Group Hiking: Hike with others: it's safer, and a group is more likely to keep wildlife away.
- Know Your Limits: Choose hikes within your ability and prepare for changing weather.
Backcountry Safety:
- Permits for Overnight Trips: You need a permit to camp overnight in the backcountry, but day hiking there needs no permit.15
- Emergency Preparedness: Carry a first-aid kit and a way to signal for help, and know how to navigate.
Weather Preparedness:
- Dress Appropriately: Wear layers and sturdy footwear for changing weather.
- Check Weather Conditions: Check the forecast and change your plans if severe weather is on the way.
Denali National Park FAQs
Can you take an RV to Denali National Park?
Yes. RVs can camp at the Riley Creek, Savage River and Teklanika River campgrounds.14 No campground in the park takes an RV over 40 feet, and none has electric or water hookups, so look outside the park if you need them.
Is there cell phone service in Denali National Park?
Only near the entrance. Beyond Park Headquarters, at Mile 3 of the park road, there is no cell service.13 Free public Wi-Fi is available at the Riley Creek Mercantile, the Denali Bus Depot and the Denali Visitor Center.
How often can you see Mount McKinley from Denali National Park?
Not often. Veteran bus drivers in Denali say only one in three days offers glimpses of the mountain, because summer skies are often cloudy.26 Clear skies are more common in deep winter.
When is Denali National Park busiest?
In summer. June, July and August brought 79% of the park's 543,300 visits in 2025, and July was the busiest month, with 151,455 visits.2
More national park statistics
- Badlands National Park Tourism Statistics
- Big Bend National Park Tourism Statistics
- Biscayne National Park Tourism Statistics
- Everglades National Park Tourism Statistics
- Gateway Arch National Park Tourism Statistics
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism Statistics
- US National Parks Ranking
- Rocky Mountain National Park Tourism Statistics
- US National Parks Statistics
- Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Tourism Statistics
- Yosemite National Park Tourism Statistics
- Zion National Park Tourism Statistics
References
- NPS Visitor Use Statistics — Annual Park Recreation Visitation (1904 - Last Calendar Year), Denali NP & PRES · irma.nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h i j
- NPS Visitor Use Statistics — Recreation Visitors By Month (1979 - Last Calendar Year), Denali NP & PRES · irma.nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t
- Most Visited National Parks in 2025 — Ranked by Visitation · publiclandsdata.com ↑ b c
- NPS Visitor Use Statistics — Overnight Stays (1979 - Last Calendar Year), Denali NP & PRES · irma.nps.gov ↑ b c d e
- NPS Visitor Spending Effects — park results, Denali National Park & Preserve (DENA), 2012–2024 · irmaservices.nps.gov ↑ b c d e f
- Park Statistics - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e
- Statistical Abstract: 2025 — National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics · irma.nps.gov ↑
- Entrance Fees — Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c
- Sightseeing in Denali — Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h
- Travel + Leisure Readers’ 25 Favorite National Parks of 2024 · travelandleisure.com ↑
- NPS Visitor Use Statistics — Annual Park Recreation Visitation (1904 - Last Calendar Year), Glacier Bay NP & PRES · irma.nps.gov ↑
- NPS Visitor Use Statistics — Annual Park Recreation Visitation (1904 - Last Calendar Year), Great Smoky Mountains NP · irma.nps.gov ↑
- Basic Information - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b
- Campgrounds — Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h i
- Backcountry Camping Guide — Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c
- Directions & Transportation - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑
- Glaciers - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑
- Wildlife - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑
- Plants - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑
- 2026 Season Wrap-Up — Denali Dispatches, Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b
- Annual Mountaineering Summaries 2020s — Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c
- FAQ's About Mountaineering in Denali National Park — Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b
- Mountaineering — Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑
- NPS Mortality Data, CY2007 onward (Prevention and Response Branch FOIA release) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h i j k
- Safety — Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b
- Photography — Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑
- NPS: Facts and Figures – Visitations, Spending, Ranking, and Park Reports · nps.gov
