Denali National Park by Rail

This five-day train itinerary takes you through three of Alaska’s biggest attractions: Anchorage, the big city; Denali National Park, one of the grandest wilderness areas on the planet; and the “Golden Heart City” of Fairbanks, which serves as the gateway to Alaska’s Interior and Arctic regions.

Day 1: Anchorage

Fly in to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Stop in at the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about Alaska’s rich history and vibrant indigenous cultures. Both places are accessible via a shuttle bus that runs from the downtown visitor center, so you won’t need to rent a car. End your day by exploring the downtown boutiques and art galleries, followed by dinner at one of many restaurants featuring fresh-caught wild Alaska seafood and handcrafted Alaska brews.

Day 2: Anchorage to Denali National Park

Board the Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star Train for an eight-hour ride north to Denali National Park, departing at 8:20am. You’ll enjoy all the beautiful scenery you’d get on a drive to the park, with none of the stress from traffic, construction delays, or filling up your gas tank. If you splurge on a Gold Star train ticket, you’ll have access to a dedicated dining area and outdoor viewing deck.

Just before the train reaches the charming town of Talkeetna, you’ll have your first great vantage point for viewing Denali, North America’s tallest peak. (See optional add-on below to add an overnight in Talkeetna to this itinerary). After the train passes through Talkeetna, keep an eye out for black bears, brown bears, moose and other wildlife along the banks of the Susitna River. You'll arrive at the entrance to Denali National Park at 3:40pm, giving you plenty of time to settle in to one of the many hotels and lodging options close to the park entrance. Most hotels in the area offer shuttle service from the Alaska Railroad Depot, so be sure to check with your hotel on their shuttle schedule.  

Day 3: Denali National Park

Take the tour of your dreams in Denali National Park and Preserve. Options range from all day to just a couple of hours and include flightseeing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and hiking. The most popular tour option is a narrated bus tour into the park for wildlife viewing and photo ops. Optional Extension: Denali has far more adventures than you can experience in just one day, so consider spending an extra day or two in the park.

A note for visitors from 2024 - 2026:
The Denali Park Road will be open until mile 43 through 2026 due to road improvements. Narrated bus tours and transit buses will continue to be available for guests visiting the park and will travel as far as mile 43. The main visitor center will remain open along with four campgrounds and numerous trails accessible via the park road.  Free shuttle bus service will run every 15 minutes during peak visitation times between the Denali Bus Depot / Denali Visitor Center to the Mountain Vista and Savage River Trailheads. 

Day 4: Denali to Fairbanks

You'll have time this morning and early afternoon to explore Denali National Park before boarding the northbound Denali Star Train which departs at 4:00pm. Today is a great day to explore the activities near the park entrance, including the Denali Sled Dog Kennels, Visitor Center, and lots of options for frontcountry hiking. Enjoy the scenic 4 hour train ride to Fairbanks, which will arrive at your final destination at 8:00pm. 

Day 5: Fairbanks

Fairbanks is a bustling center of activity in the summer. Consider staying at least a day or two to take advantage of its many tour options, including gold panning, flightseeing, nature walks in the company of tame reindeer, dog cart rides (the summer equivalent of a dog sled ride), a scenic river cruise aboard a stern-wheel paddleboat, and a one- or two-day adventure to the Arctic Circle. When you’re ready, you can fly straight home from Fairbanks International Airport or board the southbound Denali Star for a full-day train ride back to Anchorage.

For more flexible travel

If you want a little more flexibility in this itinerary, you can rent a car or RV in Anchorage and follow the same route. This 360 mile road trip allows you to stop in communities like Talkeetna and Healy at your leisure, in addition to the other stops described in this itinerary. You can also begin your trip in Fairbanks and follow the same route south, ending in Anchorage.

Optional Add On: Talkeetna

On day 2, rather than traveling all the way to Denali National Park, you can disembark to overnight in Talkeetna - the gateway for mountaineers attempting to climb Denali, and a charming town to explore. You’ll reach Talkeetna by train around 11am which leaves you plenty of time to hop on an afternoon flightseeing tour that’ll get you up close and personal with Denali. Tour options vary, but whether you opt for a glacier landing or a looping circumnavigation of Denali’s upper reaches, you’re certain to come away with a new appreciation for the size and scale of the mountain and the vast tundra and river landscapes of Denali National Park. Spend the evening exploring the shops and galleries that line the town’s Main Street to shop for locally-made art, souvenirs, and local birch syrup, and grab dinner at one of the lively restaurants on Main Street. Overnight in one of Talkeetna's many accommodation options, including lodges, inns, cabins, and B&Bs. 

The next morning, grab some breakfast and take a walk down to the Talkeetna Riverfront Park for stunning views of Denali (on clear days) and the mighty Susitna River. Board the Alaska Railroad again to continue on to Denali National Park, departing from Talkeetna around 11am and arriving in Denali at 3:40pm. Continue with Day 2 itinerary above.