Kantishna is a remote settlement deep in the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve.
About Kantishna
For many, Kantishna provides the ultimate Alaska wilderness lodging in Denali National Park and Preserve. Visitors here are surrounded by the best of Denali scenery and feel as close to nature as anywhere in Alaska. Located at the very end of the only road into Denali, Kantishna features several luxurious wilderness resorts, most of which feature private cabins, meals, and transportation from the park entrance about 90 miles away. One of the most sought-after photographs in Alaska can be easily captured on a clear day here: 20,310-foot Denali looming overhead.
Things to Do
Kantishna offers the most remote Denali National Park lodging available on the road system. Most lodges in Kantishna include private bus transportation along the 90-mile Park Road. This scenic trip through the heart of Denali’s vast wilderness is one of the best ways to see the sights and wildlife of Denali National Park. Drivers and naturalist guides will provide narration on the journey and are experienced at spotting wildlife along the way. Denali National Park is home to 40 species of mammals and 167 species of birds, including moose, caribou, bears, wolves, and eagles.
Once you’re settled into your comfortable accommodations, a world of backcountry adventures await. Each lodge offers their own daily experiences, including hiking, photography tours, gold panning, cultural experiences, fishing, biking, naturalist presentations, and shuttles to the nearby Wonder Lake, one of the best and most scenic spots for viewing Denali.
For those looking for a little R&R, Kantisha lodges also offer opportunities to sit back and relax. Most feature outdoor decks with fire pits and indoor fireplaces in cozy communal spaces so you can put your feet up and soak up the pristine scenery. Some lodges also offer spa services. Good food is a highlight of the Kantishna backcountry experience, with lodges preparing meals from locally sourced ingredients and serving up local brews and cocktails at on-site bars and saloons.
Some full-day Denali Park bus tours include a stop at Kantisha. These tours last around 12 hours and take visitors along the full length of the Park Road, stopping at Kantisha for lunch and a natural history presentation, before heading back on the Park Road for more wildlife viewing and sightseeing. Katishna is not accessible by private vehicle; beyond Mile 15, the Park Road is only accessible by bus tours into the park.
History
The settlement of Kantishna was founded in 1905 as a mining camp near the juncture of Eureka and Moose creeks. Gold in the region brought a flurry of prospectors in the early days, but as the gold began to run out so did interest in mining the Kantishna Hills. Now it is exclusively geared toward recreation and seasonal tourism.
Learn more about Denali National Park and Preserve.
Learn more about lodging and services in Denali Park.