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Alaska State Parks

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Denali State Park
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Denali State Park © Jim Oakley
Denali State Park Mt. McKinley © Jim Oakley
Mt. McKinley from the South View
Denali State Park Upper Viewpoint © Jim Oakley
view to the North from the upper trail
Denali State Park Clouds on the Mountain © Jim Oakley
Denali State Park Grouse © Jim Oakley
Denali State Park Pine Squirrel © Jim Oakley
Denali State Park Byers Lake © Jim Oakley
Denali State Park The Perfect Cabin © Jenny Carter
Denali State Park - Public Use Cabin 2. Located on Byers Lake with a direct view of Denali - it doesnt get much better than this
Denali State Park Byers Lake Loop Trail © Jenny Carter
Denali State Park - Byers Lake Loop Trail
Denali State Park The great one © Jenny Carter
Denali State Park - Public Use Cabin 2 - The perfect view of Denali from your front porch
Denali State Park © Kerry Facer
Denali State Park © Kerry Facer
Denali State Park © Kerry Facer
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DENALI STATE PARK
DENALI STATE PARK
PO Box 1247
Trapper Creek, Alaska   99683
(lat:62.7514 lon:-150.04) map location

Phone: 907-745-3975
Reservations: 907-269-8400
Denali State Park is an integral part of one of North America?s most spectacularly beautiful regions. The park?s 325,240 acres, almost one-half the size of Rhode Island, provide the visitor with a great variety of recreational opportunities, ranging from roadside camping to wilderness exploration.

Mt. McKinley from Viewpoint South The park is about 100 air miles north of Anchorage and is divided roughly in half by the George Parks Highway, the major road link between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Situated between the Talkeetna Mountains to the east and the Alaska Range to the west, the landscape varies from meandering lowland streams to alpine tundra. Dominating this diverse terrain are Curry and Kesugi Ridges, a 35 mile-long north/south alpine ridge, the backbone of the eastern half of the park.
Nature of the Area
From the alpine tundra of Curry Ridge to the river bottoms of the meandering Tokositna River, the park?s varied landscape is home to a diverse array of wildlife. Moose, as well as grizzly and black bears, are found throughout the park. Though seldom seen, the wolf frequents much of the park, and caribou occasionally reach the park?s northern end. Smaller, elusive residents include lynx, coyote, red fox, snowshoe hare, land otter, and flying and red squirrel. The weasel family is well represented by ermine, marten, mink and wolverine. Wet areas are habitat for muskrat and beaver, while pika and marmot may be found in rocky areas above timberline. Porcupine will be glad to browse through your food box for salt. Several species of vole and shrew make their minute paths throughout the park.
History of the Area
"Kesugi" is a Tanaina Indian dialect word meaning "The Ancient One" and is a fitting complement of the Tanana Indian word "Denali" which means "The High One". Denali is the original name for Mt. McKinley. At 20,320 feet, Mt. McKinley is North America?s highest peak. It literally and figuratively towers over Southcentral Alaska from its base in Denali National Park.

Denali State Park was established in 1970 and expanded to its present size in 1976. Its western boundary is shared with its much larger neighbor, Denali National Park and Preserve, formerly Mt. McKinley National Park.
Cabins
Maximum stay in one of the public use cabins is 5 consecutive nights. Each cabin has a wood heating stove, bunks, tables, and benches. In the summer, water is supplied by the campground pump or purifying lake water; in the winter, renters must bring their own, or purify lake water or snow. In winter make sure the chimney is free of snow before starting a fire. If you would like to bring in a small generator, Byers Lake Cabin #3 is wired for electricity. Please bring spare lightbulbs. Firewood is not provided at most cabins. Either bring your own, or arrive at the cabin with enough daylight to find firewood. Wood must be dead and down.

Byers Lake Cabin #1 (12' X 16') Sleeps 6 (maximum 6) with a maximum stay of 5 consecutive nights. Summer access: gravel road for one mile from highway. Winter access: Park at the Alaska Veteran's Memorial, milepost 147.1, Parks Highway, and follow the marked winter trail with snow vehicle, skis, dog sled, or on foot. At the bottom of the hill near the lake, take the left hand fork - total distance is one mile. This hand-crafted, sod-roofed log cabin is a true example of a traditional Alaskan bush cabin.

Byers Lake Cabin #2 (12' X 16') Sleeps 6 (maximum 6) with a maximum stay of 5 consecutive nights. Summer access: one-half mile walk from gate in the campground, or canoe one-half mile from boat launch. Winter access: Park at the Alaska Veteran's Memorial, milepost 147.1, Parks Highway, and follow the marked winter trail with snow vehicle, skis, dog sled, or on foot. At the bottom of the hill near the lake, take the right hand fork - total distance is 1.7 mile.

Byers Lake Cabin #3 (14' X 20') Sleeps 6 (maximum 6) with a maximum stay of 5 consecutive nights. Summer access: one-half mile walk from gate in the campground, or canoe one-half mile from boat launch. Winter access: Park at the Alaska Veteran's Memorial, milepost 147.1, Parks Highway, and follow the marked winter trail with snow vehicle, skis, dog sled, or on foot. At the bottom of the hill near the lake, take the right hand fork. The Cabin is about 70 yd's. south from public cabin #2.

Camping
Byers Lake Campground

This quiet, family campground is nestled on Byers Lake at the foot of Kesugi Ridge. The area offers spectacular views of Mt. McKinley. It is located 147 miles north of Anchorage and 90 miles from the National Park Service entrance. Burbot, Lake and Rainbow Trout fishing. Byers Lake has four Public Use Cabins for nightly rental.

Also available at Byers Lake Campground is the sale of firewood: see the Campground Host. Canoe and kayak rentals are available on location from Denali Southside River Guides, call 733-7238 for information.Byers Lake is closed to boats with gasoline operated motors and aircraft to insure the tranquility of the area.

Denali Viewpoint North Campground

Denali Viewpoint North Campground is located within the Denali State Park. Denali State Park is an integral part of one of North America's most spectacularly beautiful regions. The park's 325,240 acres, almost one-half the size of Rhode Island, provide the visitor with a great variety of recreational opportunities, ranging from roadside camping to wilderness exploration.

The park is about 100 air miles north of Anchorage and is divided roughly in half by the George Parks Highway, the major road link between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Situated between the Talkeetna Mountains to the east and the Alaska Range to the west, the landscape varies from meandering lowland streams to alpine tundra. Dominating this diverse terrain are Curry and Kesugi Ridges, a 35 mile long north-south alpine ridge, the backbone of the eastern half of the park.

Denali State Park was established in 1970 and expanded to its present size in 1976. Its western boundary is shared with its much larger neighbor, Denali National Park and Preserve, formerly Mt. McKinley National Park.

Denali Viewpoint South

Denali Viewpoint South is located within the Denali State Park. Denali State Park is an integral part of one of North America's most spectacularly beautiful regions. The park's 325,240 acres, almost one-half the size of Rhode Island, provide the visitor with a great variety of recreational opportunities, ranging from roadside camping to wilderness exploration.

The park is about 100 air miles north of Anchorage and is divided roughly in half by the George Parks Highway, the major road link between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Situated between the Talkeetna Mountains to the east and the Alaska Range to the west, the landscape varies from meandering lowland streams to alpine tundra. Dominating this diverse terrain are Curry and Kesugi Ridges, a 35 mile long north-south alpine ridge, the backbone of the eastern half of the park.

Denali State Park was established in 1970 and expanded to its present size in 1976. Its western boundary is shared with its much larger neighbor, Denali National Park and Preserve, formerly Mt. McKinley National Park.

Lower Troublesome Creek Campground

One of the focuses of the park is to provide hiking opportunities. These vary from the regularly maintained trail around Byers Lake to back country routes like the trail along Troublesome Creek that receive very little maintenance attention. Hikers must be familiar with map reading skills to stay on route. Hikers seeking the best access to country above timberline are advised to begin at Little Coal Creek Trail head.


Location
Denali State Park is

Picnicking
1. Denali State Park offers numerous picnic spots with stunning views of the Alaskan wilderness and Mount McKinley.
2. Picnic areas are equipped with tables, fire pits, restrooms for convenience.
3. Many sites also have nearby hiking trails or fishing opportunities to enjoy post: picnic activities.
4. Some popular picnicking locations include Byers Lake Campground and Kesugi Ken Campground within the park boundaries.
5. Visitors can often spot wildlife like moose, bears or eagles while enjoying their outdoor meal in these natural settings.


Trails
1. Kesugi Ridge Trail: A 36-mile long trail offering panoramic views of Denali and the Alaska Range, with varying difficulty levels.

2. Byers Lake Loop Trail: This easy, flat 5-mile loop circles around serene Byers Lake surrounded by a spruce forest.

3. Lower Troublesome Creek Trail: An approximately three miles round trip hike that leads to an open meadow providing stunning mountain vistas.

4. Ermine Hill Trail: About six miles in length; it offers beautiful scenic overlooks including Curry Ridge and Chulitna River Valley view points

5. Little Coal Creek-Kesugi Ken Campground Traverse is about 30-miles long showcasing spectacular sights of Mt McKinley (Denali) on clear days

6.The South Fork Eagle River - Symphony Lakes Hike stretches for five miles through lush greenery leading up to two pristine alpine lakes.

7.Curry Lookout/K'esugi Ken Interpretive Loop spans over one mile featuring interpretative signs explaining local wildlife & vegetation along its path

8.Byer's Peak Pathway extends for half-a-mile connecting campgrounds at both ends while passing through dense woods filled with birdlife

9.Triple Lakes Trails covers nearly ten challenging but rewarding miles displaying diverse landscapes from forests to tundra-like terrains

10.Upper Troublesome Creek Route measures roughly four-and-half-miles taking hikers across rolling hills before ending near picturesque K'esuge Mountain

11.K'sugik'ena Hillside Nature Walk lasts only quarter-of-a mile making it perfect choice for families or those seeking short leisurely stroll amidst nature
Area Attractions
The Alaska Veteran's Memorial is located within Denali State Park at mile 147.1 between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

The memorial consists of five 20-foot tall concrete panels, one each to represent the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, arranged in a semi-circle. A statue of two Alaska Territorial Guards, carved by Canadian sculptor George Pratt, great you at the entrance. On each panel is a short history of that branch's contribution to Alaska.

The Denali State park is 325,240 acres, almost one-half the size of Rhode Island. The park provides visitor with a great variety of recreational opportunities, ranging from roadside camping to wilderness exploration.

The visitor center at the Memorial is usually open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Located along Alaska Route 3 (the George Parks Highway), approximately 240 miles north of Anchorage, 187.6 miles south of Fairbanks, and 73.9 miles south of Healy. In Talkeetna, approximately 100 miles north of Anchorage.

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Directions
Take the George Parks Hwy North to mile 135.

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