Denali Highway
Welcome to the Denali Highway
Denali Highway (Alaska Route 8) is a lightly traveled, paved and gravel highway with spectacular scenic views and true Alaska outdoors activities like fishing, river float, trails and back country trips. It leads from Paxson on the Richardson Highway to Cantwell on the Parks Highway. Opened in 1957, it was the first road access to Denali National Park. The Denali Highway is 135 miles (217 km) in length.
Road conditions
It’s winter and the highway is closed for regular vehicles.
The road is being groomed for snowmachine use.
Fall pictures
What great fall colors we have right now, it’s such a scenic time of the year along the highway.
A scenic road
Denali Highway
The Denali Highway is the most adventure rich and true "Alaska experience" road in the state. The first 45 miles (72 km) winds through the Amphitheater Mountains, cresting at Maclaren Summit, at 4,086 feet the second highest road in Alaska. The road then drops down to the Maclaren River Valley with fine views north to Maclaren Glacier. After crossing the Maclaren River, the road winds through the geologically mysterious Crazy Notch and then along the toe of the Denali Clearwater Mountains to the Susitna River. After crossing the Susitna River the road extends across the glacier's outwash plains to the Nenana River, and then down the Nenana River to Cantwell on the George Parks Highway.
The highway is paved from Paxson to MP20. It is the chip sealed from MP20 to MP71 and from 71 to MP132 the DOT has been working all summer doing a lift and fixing the potholes for chipsealing the rest of the road.
The highway is paved from Paxson to MP20. It is the chip sealed from MP20 to MP71 and from 71 to MP132 the DOT has been working all summer doing a lift and fixing the potholes for chipsealing the rest of the road.
Experience
Alaska off-grid adventures
WILDLIFE
Moose, grizzly bear, and caribou are fairly common along the highway and fishing for grayling and lake trout is possible in any of the clear and unglaciated streams.
WINTER
The lodges are popular winter destinations for snowmachine trips. The mountains and great snow conditions draw local and international riders to area every year.
Gallery & virtual tour
Find inspiration for your next Alaska adventure in our gallery and virtual tour