Overview

Each September the park hosts a four-day event called "Road Lottery". During these four days, winners of a lottery drawing are given a chance to purchase a single, day-long permit, allowing them to drive as much of the Denali Park Road as weather allows. In years with heavy snowfall, the Park Road might be open no farther than Savage River (mile 15); in milder years, lottery winners are able to enjoy a trip out to Wonder Lake (mile 85).

Natural Features:
Denali National Park and Preserve is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelers along it see the relatively low-elevation taiga forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America's tallest peak, 20,320' Mount McKinley. Wild animals large and small roam unfenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await.

Recreation:
The vast and expansive landscape that surrounds the Denali Park Road includes not only breath-taking scenery but opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, and much more. Visitors are invited to explore the park’s website for activities and additional information related to the fall Road Lottery.

Camping and overnight sleeping while on the Denali Park Road is allowed only in designated campgrounds that are open. These may include: Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika Campgrounds.

Wildlife viewing along the Denali Park Road can never be guaranteed. Some of the most iconic, large mammals, such as grizzly and black bears, wolves, caribou, moose and Dall's sheep, can be seen by lucky visitors. More-often seen small mammals include arctic ground squirrels, red squirrels, foxes and marmots.

Lottery Details:
The dates of Road Lottery vary each year -- the four-day event always begins the second Friday after Labor Day.