Denali State Park: Visit this Scenic Playground for the Day or Stay for a Week
An outdoor recreation gem awaits visitors and locals just a two-hour drive north of Palmer: Denali State Park offers opportunities for camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, birdwatching, and more. And it’s one of the best places to see 20,310-foot Denali—without the crowds.
Find Solitude in Denali State Park
This 325,000-acre state park shares a border with the southeastern part of its namesake national park. Though much smaller, the state park is a great place to find solitude on wilderness trails and pristine lakes, and in public use cabins. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including bears, moose, beavers, foxes, porcupines, and birds.
Day-trip Adventures
Hike up to a scenic viewpoint on Curry Ridge
Paddle around Byers Lake
Drop a fishing line into Byers Lake or Troublesome Creek
Pick berries in the fall
Visit the Alaska Veterans Memorial
Cross-country ski on groomed trails or snowshoe other local trails in winter
Multi-day Adventures
Backpack Curry and K’esugi Ridge trails (connected in 2024)
Overnight in the Byers Lake Campground, or stay in one of 3 public use cabins
Overnight at K’esugi Ken Campground, or stay in one of 5 public use cabins (K'esugi Ken is Dena'ina Athabascan for “Base of the Ancient One”)
Overnighting in Denali State Park
During a guided summertime Revel Adventure Club overnight trip to the state park, locals enjoyed time relaxing around a K’esugi Ken cabin firepit, walking the area’s leisurely nature trails, and attending a ranger-led presentation about climbing Denali. The next day, the group visited a historic homesteader’s cabin along the serene shore of Byers Lake.
Learn more about Alaska’s state park system, such as how to rent a public use cabin, campground details, and annual passes.
The Revel Adventure Club is the community arm of Revel Treks and Tours. We provide community programming, adventures, and learning opportunities year-round to locals in our area.