Last updated: February 5, 2021
Thing to Do
Viewing Wildlife in Denali
NPS Photo / Emily Mesner
Denali National Park and Preserve is well known for its wildlife viewing opportunities, but wildlife movements are unpredictable, and sightings always depend on a degree of luck. The large animals that are often the most sought after can be surprisingly elusive. The so called “Big Five”—moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, and wolves, receive the most attention, but Denali is home to a wide variety of animals. This park provides habitat for 39 species of mammals, 169 species of birds, 14 species of fish, and one species of amphibian.
While there is never a guarantee of seeing any animals, the more time you spend riding a bus on the park road, the better your odds are of seeing wildlife. This is because the buses travel through prime wildlife habitat while offering a high vantage point, multiple sets of eyes working together, and an experienced bus driver who will take care of the driving so you can scan the hillsides for wildlife. There is always an element of chance involved – some bus trips see many animals, while another bus trip on that same day may see very few. Learn more about bus trips in Denali.
With the caveat that wild animals are unpredictable, there are parts of the park where you are more likely to see certain species.
If you camp or go for a hike in Denali, be prepared for wildlife encounters, and know how to behave properly if you do encounter a large animal, such as a bear or moose. Read more about staying safe around wildlife.
Learn more about how to view wildlife in Denali National Park
While there is never a guarantee of seeing any animals, the more time you spend riding a bus on the park road, the better your odds are of seeing wildlife. This is because the buses travel through prime wildlife habitat while offering a high vantage point, multiple sets of eyes working together, and an experienced bus driver who will take care of the driving so you can scan the hillsides for wildlife. There is always an element of chance involved – some bus trips see many animals, while another bus trip on that same day may see very few. Learn more about bus trips in Denali.
With the caveat that wild animals are unpredictable, there are parts of the park where you are more likely to see certain species.
- Moose are most likely to be seen in the first 15 miles of the Park Road, as they prefer forested and shrubby habitats. In the spring, moose are commonly seen close to the park entrance, sometimes even in the Denali Visitor Center campus and the Riley Creek Campground. In the fall, moose tend to congregate between Miles 9 and 13 of the Park Road for the rut.
- Caribou prefer the open tundra. They are often seen in alpine areas such as Highway Pass and Thoroughfare Pass, though they are sometimes seen closer to the entrance around Savage River at Mile 15. In Denali, caribou are most often spotted in small groups, though occasionally herds of 100+ will gather.
- Grizzly bears also prefer the open tundra and are most commonly seen between Igloo Canyon (Mile 37) and Eielson (Mile 66). They are often seen in high-alpine areas, like Sable Pass, Highway Pass and Thoroughfare Pass, as well as along rivers. Though grizzly bears are most common further west, they are sometimes seen in the Savage River valley at mile 15. Denali is also home to black bears, but black bear sightings are very rare, partially because they prefer heavily forested habitat found near the start and end of the Park Road.
- Dall sheep prefer steep, mountainous habitats. They can sometimes be seen high on the mountains in Igloo Canyon, approximately Miles 34 – 38 of the Park Road. They are also sometimes seen near the road around Polychrome, at Mile 45. Hikers sometimes see Dall sheep on the Savage Loop and Savage Alpine trails, as well hiking off trail on Mount Margaret (Mile 15) and Mount Wright (Mile 22).
- Wolves are the most elusive of the Big Five. Sightings vary widely from year to year, depending in large part on where wolf packs happen to be denning each summer. If no wolf packs have dens near the Park Road, wolf sightings may be infrequent.
- Birds can be seen and heard throughout Denali National Park. Ptarmigan and many species of songbirds are common in brushy areas along creeks. Owls can sometimes be heard in forested areas, and golden eagles can be seen soaring past high ridgelines. Waterfowl can be seen in the many ponds located between Mile 70 and Wonder Lake (Mile 85). Read more about birding in Denali
- Small mammals can also be seen throughout the park. Red squirrels and snowshoe hares are common in forested areas, and arctic ground squirrels are common on the tundra. Marmots and pika are found on rocky mountainsides. The trails around Savage River are a good place to look for arctic ground squirrels, pika, and marmots. Beavers are sometimes seen in Horseshoe Lake (Mile 1) and in the many ponds near Wonder Lake (Mile 85).
If you camp or go for a hike in Denali, be prepared for wildlife encounters, and know how to behave properly if you do encounter a large animal, such as a bear or moose. Read more about staying safe around wildlife.
Learn more about how to view wildlife in Denali National Park
Details
Duration
6-12 Hours
One of the best ways to see wildlife in Denali is during a bus trip into the park. Trip durations vary, but generally speaking they will take 6 to 12 hours, inclusive of stops to view wildlife, pause at scenic views, and use restrooms about every 90 minutes.
Activity
Wildlife Watching
Age(s)
Any age. If you take a bus to view wildlife, state of Alaska law requires that kids under age 4 must be in a car seat. Car seats are not provided by the bus company, so please bring your own.
Pets Allowed
No
Pets are allowed on the Roadside Trail and Bike Path, but be sure to be extra cautious and keep extra distance from wildlife if you have a pet with you. Pets are not allowed on any other trails or on buses. Always be particularly vigilant when walking with a pet in Denali, and be sure you know how to stay safe around wildlife.
Activity Fee
No
There isn't a fee to view wildlife, but there is an overarching park entrance fee.
If you use a bus to sightsee, which we recommend, you will need to buy a bus ticket. Ticket prices vary depending on the duration of the trip. Please visit the bus company's website to check prices.
If you use a bus to sightsee, which we recommend, you will need to buy a bus ticket. Ticket prices vary depending on the duration of the trip. Please visit the bus company's website to check prices.
Reservations
Yes
Bus reservations are not always necessary, but they are strongly recommended—particularly if your visit will be short (e.g., 1 or 2 days). Visitors who will be in the Denali area for more than three days may find it more convenient to wait until arriving and purchase bus tickets in the park, at the Denali Bus Depot.
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Buses only operate in summer (roughly mid-May to mid-September each year). Visiting before or after those dates is possible, though less of the park will be accessible by vehicle, which therefore reduces your chances to see wildlife a bit.
Accessibility Information
- Several buses each day are equipped with wheelchair lifts. When booking bus tickets, check that the bus you're reserving has a lift.
- Rest areas throughout the park have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. All rest areas have either paved surfaces or very well-compacted gravel surfaces.
- Most of the Denali Park Road is gravel, though it is generally well-compacted. The first 15 miles of the road are paved. The road traverses very hilly and mountainous terrain, with gradients over 9% at times.