News Release

Denali Park Road Closed at Mile 30 Due to Unsafe Conditions

Date: August 16, 2019
Contact: Paul Ollig, Public Information Officer, 202-603-8974

The superintendent has closed the Denali Park Road to all traffic at mile 30, the Teklanika Rest Stop, due to unsafe conditions at multiple locations in the areas surrounding Polychrome Pass and Eielson Visitor Center. The closure is due to a culvert washout and several moderately sized mudslides that have covered the road in debris flows. At approximately 3:30 p.m. the Alaska Region Communication Center received a call from Denali National Park road crews reporting a washout of a culvert at mile 62, making the road impassable. Shortly thereafter, Joint Venture bus drivers began reporting multiple slides along the road, at Polychrome Pass, Stony Hill, and just west the Eielson Visitor Center. A road crew from the West District was quickly dispatched from Toklat, accompanied by park rangers.

Approximately 300 day visitors to the park are currently west of Polychrome Pass. Park officials are working with Joint Venture to ensure the safety and comfort of all impacted by this road closure. Shuttle buses are gathering people at the Toklat Rest Area temporarily while road crews continue to address the hazard areas.

The park experienced similar debris flows which led to a day-long traffic restriction on the Park Road to allow road crews to assess conditions and make necessary repairs. The traffic restriction was lifted on August 9. Continued persistent and heavy rains in the area have kept the road surface and surrounding tundra saturated with water. Landslide and debris flow events increase in likelihood during periods of prolonged rain or moisture. The regional weather service predicts rain to continue throughout this evening and into the morning, causing this situation to remain dynamic. However, forecasts call for clearing and dryer conditions beginning Saturday, August 17, which should improve conditions.

The park will continue to release information as it becomes available, and any decision impacting the road will be announced as soon as possible. The public is encouraged to check our current conditions page for any updates or alerts.

The park is anticipating reopening the road tomorrow.