Now is your last chance to see Denali National Park without the crowds

Many visitors to Denali National Park experience Alaska's wilderness from a tour bus on the famous 92-mile Denali Park Road. It's the only road in or out of the 6-million-acre preserve, which runs from the park entrance to Kantishna, an old mining settlement. But for the past several years, that journey has been cut short. A massive landslide in 2021 destroyed a section of the road at mile 43, blocking vehicle access to the park's remote interior. Until a new bridge is completed and the road reopens (currently expected in 2027), bus tours now turn around well before reaching Denali's most remote landscapes.

For some visitors, the closure has been understandably disappointing. But for others, it has created a rare opportunity. With fewer people able to reach the western side of the park, adventurous travelers willing to fly in and spend a few days on the ground can experience a quieter, more intimate version of Denali—one that feels almost entirely removed from the crowds.

That's exactly the experience travelers can have at Denali Backcountry Lodge , a remote property in Kantishna that now flies guests in by helicopter, transforming what was once a logistical challenge into an unforgettable arrival.

Stay at an intimate basecamp in Denali National Park

With a maximum capacity of 30 guests until the westernmost part of Denali Park Road reopens, Denali Backcountry Lodge feels less like a traditional national park hotel and more like a small wilderness expedition basecamp (with some luxury touches). It's one of only a few properties operating in this remote part of the park. There's nearly a one-to-one ratio of staff to guests, which opens opportunities for personalized hikes, wildlife excursions, and other adventures and makes the experience feel a little like summer camp for all ages. The solitude and personalization alone make staying at the lodge a unique experience.

The private cedar cabins are simple but thoughtfully designed, with warm wood interiors, large windows that frame the surrounding wilderness, peaked ceilings, and comforts like pillowtop mattresses that feel especially welcome after a long day outside. Each cabin also comes with the gear travelers need to make the most of their time in Denali National Park (think: day packs, hiking poles, water bottles, and trail maps). 

The lodge offers a small spa area for massages, foot scrubs, and other recovery-focused treatments. There's also a hot tub and wood-fired sauna for relaxation after spending time outdoors. 

But as comfortable as the lodge is, most guests don't come to Denali Backcountry Lodge to spend their days at the property. The real draw is the chance to step outside and explore one of the most remote corners of Denali National Park—often with miles of tundra and forest stretching in every direction without another visitor in sight (except the occasional grizzly bear or moose!). 

Explore Denali's wild and vast backcountry

The staff at Denali Backcountry Lodge start each day by planning a schedule of both guided activities and self-guided explorations that align with the interests and skill levels of their current guests. Depending on the day and weather, the options may include trekking through the tundra or bogs and wetlands, biking gravel trails, fishing at Moose Creek, or kayaking and paddleboarding on Wonder Lake.

For guests eager to venture farther into Denali's backcountry, the lodge makes it easy to explore independently. Staff can equip hikers with essentials like satellite phones, GPS navigation tools, and bear spray, along with trail maps and a packed lunch for the trip. With so few visitors able to reach this part of the park right now, it's not unusual to spend hours exploring without encountering another group—if you see anyone at all.

Every day is a choose-your-own adventure, and you're just as welcome to put your outdoor skills to the test as you are to sit back and enjoy the breeze and birdsong at the lo. And if the weather keeps you indoors, the lodge offers plenty of ways to pass the time—board games, puzzles, books from the on-site library, and naturalist talks that deepen your understanding of Denali's remarkable landscape.

Tap into the gold rush history of Denali National Park

While Denali Backcountry Lodge puts a heavy emphasis on adventures in nature, it also gives guests a chance to connect with Kantishna's colorful gold mining past, when prospectors flocked to this remote valley in attempt to strike it rich at the turn of the 20th century.

One of the most fascinating figures from this era was Fannie Quigley, a legendary gold rush pioneer who lived in Kantishna year-round (an extraordinarily difficult feat, considering its remoteness and extreme seasons). Guests at Denali Backcountry Lodge can take a short walk to Quigley's preserved cabin to learn what life was like for the fiercely independent prospector who carved out life in this rugged landscape. Much of the original furniture inside is unusually small, which gives visitors a sense of Quigley's own stature—she stood less than 5 feet tall. She earned a reputation as one of the toughest characters in Denali's frontier history who could "out-drink, out-shoot, and out-cuss any man in Alaska," according to Last Frontier Magazine . 

For an even deeper immersion into this history, guests at Denali Backcountry Lodge can try their hand at gold panning at Moose Creek, right on the property. Staff will give you shallow pans and sieves to scoop up sand and hope you notice that telltale glimmer of gold. The odds of striking it rich are slim to none, but it's still a fun way to get a sense of what it must have been like to chase fortune in this remote part of North America. And with so few people in Kantishna while the park road is closed, at least you won't have much competition. 

Don't miss this special moment in Denali National Park

Eventually, Denali's backcountry will get busier again. The National Park Service is currently building a bridge at the site of the landslide, but expects the closure of Denali Park Road at mile 43 to remain through this summer. Once it reopens, bus tours will once again be able to carry thousands of visitors deep into Denali National Park each summer. 

In the meantime, travelers need to fly in if they want to experience this remote part Denali National Park without giving up the creature comforts of staying in a cozy cabin at a place like Denali Backcountry Lodge. That's a lot of extra effort, but it comes with the rare reward of feeling like you have the park all to yourself.