The best traffic-free bike rides in Alaska

Built in 2005, the Denali Visitor Center and its surrounding campus are definitely worth a stop, either at the beginning or end of your trip. The center itself is the National Park Service's primary welcome and information center. Surrounding facilities include a restaurant, gift shop, bag check, bus stop, and train depot. The visitor center is open only during the summer and is located near the park entrance. During the summer, you can explore the exhibits, watch the park film, pay park admission, and speak with a ranger. During the fall, winter, and spring, the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) serves as the park's winter visitor center. https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/the-denali-visitor-center.htm

The Denali Visitor Center, located right at the entrance to Denali National Park, is the perfect starting point for your adventure in this rugged and fascinating landscape of Alaska. Here you will not only get useful information about the hiking trails and the wildlife, but you can also watch the park film Heartbeats of Denali, which will introduce you to the different facets of this breathtaking place. The exhibition in the center also gives you insights into the unique flora and fauna of the region. The area around the visitor center offers access to several popular hiking trails such as the Horseshoe Lake Trail and the Mt. Healy Overlook Trail. The Mt. Healy Overlook in particular rewards you after a steep climb with an impressive panoramic view of the park's vast landscape. There are also nearby trails for quieter hikes that lead through the dense forests and along the rivers and are ideal for relaxed exploration. A special highlight are the ranger-led tours and presentations that give you insights into the history of the park and its natural wonders. The Denali Visitor Center is not only an information point, but also a place that lets you immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere and the pristine nature of the wilderness - perfect for getting in the mood for the great Denali adventure.

Significant non-motorized trail improvements have been made this summer (no more washed-out segments). Lakeside path is open to just beyond 5 miles as crews continue trail work as of 8/29/24)

This is a unique beach access in Anchorage with the highest tide in the US. The rocky beach area leads out to the mudflats. This is a beautiful place to watch the sunset.

You'll probably have to dismount your bike at the intersection with the Coastal Trail and walk it the rest of the way here (or leave it tied up and locked to a tree or the bench at the trail intersection). However, it's worth a quick stop to take in the only real sand beach near Anchorage. With that said, please stay off the mudflats. They might feel safe when the tide is out, but the water comes in very quickly and the mud turns to quicksand when it does. Some people have died from this (drowning as the tide swept over them), while other have been lucky to escape with their lives.

The Denali National Park Visitor Center is a must stop when visiting the park. Inside of the Visitor Center itself are exhibits and a short film about the history, environment, and ecology of Denali National Park. You can also get park and trail maps, chat with rangers, who are invaluable resources, and visit the gift shop. The Visitor Center is also where you can obtain passes and permits. There is wifi and restrooms for you to use there as well. Several trailheads are accessible from just outside the facility.

The Mountain Vista Day Use Area and Trailhead has a parking area, picnic tables, trail access to the Mountain Vista Loop and the Savage Alpine Trails, and is a stop on the free shuttle service from the park entrance. Many people who complete the Savage Alpine Trail will take the shuttle back to their cars at the other trailhead or the park entrance from here. On clear days you can get a fantastic views of Denali, the highest peak in North America, even though it is over 80 miles away. The Savage River Campground is also just down the road from the Mountain Vista Day Use Area.

The first few miles of Denali Park Road are paved and striped. The road has a few paved sections along the way, but the majority of the 92.5 mile route consists of dirt and gravel roads. It can be really dusty and muddy depending on the time of year (or even just the time of day), and trucks and buses use the roads during the dry months. Make sure you have a plan for staying visible and let vehicles pass safely.