Denali National Park - Road Lottery
Denali National Park & Preserve
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, Denali, standing at 20,310 feet. 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 breathtaking 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 sheep, can be seen by lucky visitors. Small mammals, such as arctic ground squirrels, red squirrels, foxes and marmots, are seen more often in this wild environment.
Notifications and Alerts
The Pretty Rocks Landslide continues to impact the Denali Park Road. Visit the Pretty Rocks Landslide page for more information about the landslide and the steps the park is taking to resolve the issue.
Permit & Season Information
The 2023 Denali Road Lottery and Military Appreciation Day have been cancelled due to the continued landslide at Pretty Rocks closing over half of the Denali Park Road. The following will not apply in 2023:
Each September the park hosts a four-day event called the Denali "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 early snow, the Park Road might open no farther than Savage River (Mile 15); in milder years, lottery winners are able to enjoy a trip out to the end of the park road (Mile 92).
The dates offered in the Road Lottery vary each year. Generally, the event usually begins the second Friday after Labor Day.
Applicants must apply for the lottery, open May 1 - May 31, to have a chance to drive the road in September.
Need to Know
Rules and Regulations for Denali National Park’s Road Lottery
- Only one entry per user account will be accepted.
- Those selected for a Road Lottery permit will be charged the $25 fee automatically. The park entrance fee may be due at the Denali Visitor Center when you pick up the permit.
- Interagency Federal Land passes will cover the park entrance fee. Please bring your pass with you along with photo identification.
- The person who picks up the permit must be the person who was selected or have the selected winner's written approval. Permits are transferable but cannot be sold. If you transfer your permit to someone else, please provide them with a written transfer letter that includes the original winner's name, date for which they were selected for a permit, and the name of the person to whom the permit is transferred.
- Only vehicles with Road Lottery permits will be allowed to drive beyond the Savage River Check Station at mile 15 of the park road.
- For those with a Road Lottery permit, the park road beyond mile 15 is open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Areas further west on the park road will close prior to 11:00 p.m.
- Riley Creek, Savage River and Teklanika River Campgrounds are open during Road Lottery. Reservations are available at www.reservedenali.com or by calling (800) 622-7275 or (907) 272-7275.
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Fee Policy
There is a non-refundable $15 application fee. Winners of the lottery must then pay a $25 permit fee to drive the park road; this will automatically be charged to the card used for the lottery application fee. If the charge to the credit card does not clear, the winner will lose the permit and a new winner is chosen. Permit holders for the road lottery may have to pay the park entrance fee of $15 per person (for visitors age 16 or older) on the day of their permit unless they have a federal recreation pass such as the Denali Annual Pass, America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass (Annual, Senior, Access, or Volunteer) or the free U.S. Military annual pass.
Cancellation Policy
Road lottery permits are transferable prior to use but cannot be sold, i.e. the person awarded the permit can give it to someone else if they are not able to participate that weekend. The person transferring the permit must provide the original notification and a short note explaining the transfer to the new permit holder, who must bring that documentation to the park when they check in for the road permit. Once picked up, permits are not transferable between vehicles. Permits will not be rescheduled or refunded for inclement weather.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
PO Box 9 Denali Park AK 99755
Phone Number
907-683-9532
