Planning Denali National Park Bus Tour
Yesterday we kicked off our day leaving Palmer, taking the scenic Hatcher Pass Drive to Highway 3, then heading north to Denali National Park. The morning was misty, so Hatcher Pass wasn’t at its most photogenic, and rain made us skip the Talkeetna helicopter tour. But hey, that’s Alaska for you! The drive took us about 4 hours. We’re excited about tomorrow’s Denali National Park bus tour – it‘ll be our Alaska epic adventure.
How to choose Denali Bus Tour Tickets that Fit You
Taking the Denali National Park Bus Tour is pretty much a full day adventure, lasting around 9~10 hours. The bus makes four stops, including where you start and where you end up. Most people decide to visit either the Eielson Visitor Center or Wonder Lake. It really depends on:
- Departure Time: Depending on what time you can start your day.
- Physical Condition: Choose based on your fitness level.
- Traveling with Children: Consider the needs and comfort of young ones.
- Hiking Preferences: Decide if you want more time for hiking.
Plus, Denali National Park Bus Tour can stop whenever you ask, so you can get off to explore some trails or even go camping nearby.
Four Stops of Denali National Park Bus Tour
Bus Depot (Park Entrance): Starting point of the tour where you board the bus. It typically includes visitor information and initial scenic views of Denali National Park. Washrooms, Gift Shop and snacks are available.
Savage River: First major stop ideal for wildlife viewing and photography. This area is known for sightings of bears, moose, and other Alaskan wildlife.
Eielson Visitor Center: Offers panoramic views of Denali and interactive exhibits. It’s a great spot to learn more about the park’s natural and cultural history. Washrooms, Gift Shop and snacks are available.
People can choose to make the Eielson Visitor Center the final stop for their bus tour and head back, like our friend group of 7 did. They can also decide to hike a trail from there, just like we did. The Rui couple, on the other hand, chose not to get off at Eielson for a hike and went straight back instead. It’s a great way to see Denali and do what works best for your group.
Wonder Lake: Renowned for its stunning reflections of Denali in Wonder Lake’s calm waters. Perfect for photography, short hikes, and enjoying the serene Alaskan wilderness.
Picking up our Bus Tour Tickets
First things first – the Bus Depot! We’d already booked our tickets online for our group of 5 (our family and the Rui couple) for Wonder Lake. Our friends (7 people off the cruise) grabbed theirs of 10 AM ride for Eielson Center. Since there are kids in group of 7, they couldn’t wake up that early in the morning.
Our Denali Bus Tour Experience
Early Morning Start
Here’s a hot tip – we jumped on the 6:15 AM bus, and guess what? It was nearly full, with just 7-8 seats free! My son thought we’d be the only crazy ones up that early (earliest bus is actually 5:15 AM). But trust me, early birds catch the best wildlife views!
The Ride to Eielson Center
At Eielson Center, we got a nice 30-minute breather – perfect for water refills and checking out the awesome terrain models of Denali National Park. The staff were super friendly, and we even spotted this year’s Denali climbing stats posted up.
We got on our bus heading Wonder Lake, left hikings on our return back.
Wonder Lake – Last Stop of our Bus Tour
Our Denali National Park Bus Tour ended at Wonder Lake. There are some easy trails and a wooden boardwalk around the lake. Wonder Lake is famous for mountain reflections in the water. We walked a short trail nearby and took some photos, but we were eager to catch the return bus, so we left in a hurry. There were a lot of mosquitoes here, which was a bit annoying. Despite that, Wonder Lake was a beautiful spot to wrap up our day and enjoy the stunning scenery of Denali.
Hiking at Eielson Center
Thorofare Ridge Trail Details
At return of our Denali National Park Bus Tour from Wonder Lake, we hopped off for a hike of Thorofare Ridge Trail. It’s steep but totally worth it:
- Round trip: 3.5 km
- You’ll climb: 312 meters
- Time needed: 1.5-2 hours (including photo stops!)
The Return Journey
Going back, we made three wildlife stops plus the usual rest breaks. Hit the Bus Depot at 6:30 PM – making it a full 12-hour adventure! Pro tip: pack extra snacks (my son was famished!), and heads up – no cell service until you’re back at the depot.
Denali National Park Bus Tour Time Check
- Our family (including one trail hike near Eielson Center): 12 hours
- Another family (group of 7 with children): 11 hours (bus tour returns at Eielson Center)
- Rui couple: 10 hours (they went to Wonder Lake with us, but no hiking near Eielson Center)
I hope this Time Check can serve as a reference when you’re planning your Denali National Park Bus Tour and booking tickets, helping you prepare better. It’s a great way to see Denali and do what works best for your group.
Where to Stay Near Denali National Park
We booked our cabin near Healy, a cozy town north of Denali National Park. While all other friends picked a big house, our family went for a cute spot called Park’s Edge. Picture this: 10 adorable cabins with deck balconies and daily housekeeping. The best part? Our neighbors were a family of moose who’d casually stroll by, plus tons of wild rabbits hopping around! You’ve also got golf, dining, horse-drawn carriage rides, ATVs, and boating nearby.
