Denali Park Road Opening to Teklanika for Public Vehicle Traffic on April 24, 2024
Denali Park, AK – Denali National Park and Preserve will open the Park Road to private vehicle traffic as far as mile 30, the Teklanika Rest Area, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The recent warmer weather and low snow levels in the park helped the spring road crew in their efforts to open the Denali Park Road. However, visitors may still encounter snow, ice, and mud on some portions of the road, particularly in shaded sections.
The road will remain open, weather permitting, through May 19, 2024. The following day, May 20, transit buses will start running for the season and the road will close to private vehicles at mile 15, the Savage River. The Teklanika Rest Area is still wet but accessible. The restrooms at Teklanika, the Savage River, and Mountain Vista will be available for public use. All campgrounds west of park headquarters will remain closed until May 20. There will be heavy equipment traffic on the road from the park entrance to East Fork as a part of the Pretty Rocks bridge project, and road users are advised to be aware of their presence and use caution when on the roadway.
The Park Road is closed to all entry from the East Fork Bridge to the Polychrome Overlook location. There is no bicycle/pedestrian access through the Pretty Rocks Landslide and the road is not plowed on the other side. Anyone wishing to access parts of the road beyond the closure, which is accessible only by hiking around Polychrome Mountain, should expect challenging conditions and be prepared to be completely self-sufficient as emergency response capabilities will be very limited and no facilities beyond the slide are open. Please monitor the park website for up-to-date closure information.
Additionally, a bear capture operation is planned next month from May 6-9, and will necessitate a closure for all bikers and pedestrians along the park road west of the Teklanika River bridge, as well as all backcountry units west of the Teklanika River. The closure will start May 6 and remain in effect until three days post capture of the last bear, so possibly through May 12. The capture operation allows the park’s wildlife biologists to check collars on young and growing bears and to replace any collars that might have dropped off or malfunctioned. Check the park website at www.nps.gov/dena for possible earlier opening of the area.
Keep in mind that bears are becoming active after the long winter. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Never feed any wildlife. Keep all food secure where animals can’t get it. Stay at least 300 yards away from bears and 25 yards from all other wildlife. Check out the Denali National Park website for hiking and biking safety information.
Weather conditions can change rapidly at this time of the year, and the road may open and close several times. Visitors are encouraged to contact the park for updated road and weather information.