When Is The Best Time To See Denali?

There are two questions that most Denali travelers have: “What is the best time to see Denali?” and “What is the best way to see Denali?” Fortunately for you, I have the answer to both questions. Planning any trip to Alaska, and Denali (previously known as Mt. McKinley National Park) especially, is difficult. The combination of the remoteness, naming confusion, and high prices of…well…everything make it a headache for most travelers. Add the unpredictable weather on top of this, and you have a recipe for indecision and disappointment. I’m here to help you navigate around those unfortunate outcomes and land on the best time and best way to plan your Denali vacation.

But first, why should you listen to me? I’m a Denali local, and a professional guide in and around Denali National Park. I’ve talked to hundreds of travelers, travel agents, and other industry professionals about everything Denali. That includes the complicated topic of seeing the mountain itself. Through those conversations, my own experience, and hours of research, I’ve come up with a few foolproof steps you can take to boost your own odds.

What’s the best time to see Mount Denali?

Mount Denali (previously known as Mt. McKinley) is the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet, and has a staggering prominence of around 18,000 feet. In fact, it reaches so high into the atmosphere that it creates its own weather systems. This is why the peak is almost always shrouded in a shawl of clouds. Nonetheless, seeing the mountain isn’t nearly as hard as many make it out to be.

You may have heard the statistic that only thirty percent of travelers get to see the mountain. I’ve done a lot of digging, but I can’t find any legitimate source to back up this statistic. Between the conversations I’ve had with hundreds of travelers and my own experience as a Denali local, I think the percentage is actually much higher. So how do you make sure you’re a part of that percentage?

There are two ways to raise the probability of seeing Mt. Denali on your vacation. The first is obvious - the more time you spend in Denali, the more likely you are to see the mountain. The second is a little trickier, and it’s all about putting yourself in the right place at the right time. That sounds simple, but it isn’t. None of Denali’s hotels (unless you fly into Kantishna) are located where you can see the mountain. In fact, the park entrance is hemmed in by shorter mountains that block the view of the Denali itself.

Where Should I Go to See The Mountain?

The best way to see Denali is from inside the National Park. There are a few ways to get there, and most involve buses or planes. A bus tour will put you in a position to see Mt. Denali for hours on end, and will operate whether or not it’s a cloudy day. Even if there are clouds at the beginning of the drive, they may well clear up by the time you’re leaving. While a bus tour is good, the unequivocal best way to see Denali is on a flightseeing tour. Unfortunately, these tours are more expensive, and more weather dependent. The last option to view the mountain from inside the park is from the Savage Alpine Trail, which you can access by private vehicle. You can find more about that trail here.

There are several other viewpoints of the mountain located outside of Denali National Park. Denali Viewpoint South is my favorite, and it can be accessed from AK 3 at mile 135.2. An option that’s closer to the park is the Old Denali Hwy. You’ll be able to see Mt. Denali from this road a few minutes after leaving the town of Cantwell. There are spots along AK 3 both north and south of the Park entrance as well. The more you drive the highway, the higher your chances become. Lastly, my favorite way to spot the mountain is to summit one of the smaller peaks near the Park entrance. Once on top, you’ll be able to see her, and have a beautiful view of the Alaska Range to boot!

Jordan Allen stands at the summit of one of the many smaller peaks near the park entrance. This photo was taken in September, but in mid-summer, the snow is completely gone!

How Long Do I Need to Stay?

A good rule of thumb is this; the longer your stay, the higher your chances become. With this intuitive rule, it’s easy to say, “stay as long as you can.” Unfortunately, most travelers have no desire to spend weeks in Denali. While I think there’s plenty to do to keep yourself occupied for months, I’ll give my opinion on the minimum number of days you should stay to get the best chance of seeing the mountain.

Since I think the popular thirty percent statistic is bogus, it may surprise you to hear that my answer is three days. Denali’s weather systems rarely last long, so you’ll probably get at least one day of good weather if you’re there for three. If you make it a point to see the mountain, you will almost definitely spot it at least once.

The last piece of the puzzle we have to go over is the best time to see Denali. When is best depends on the weather systems in the park. December, January, and February boast the most frequent clear skies, making that the generally accepted best time of year to see Denali. With that said, most people don’t want to visit Alaska in the winter due to the frigid temperatures. If you’re coming during the summer, the best time of day to see Denali is in the very early morning before the clouds roll in.

When is the best time to visit Denali National Park?

This is a very different question from the first, and in my opinion a more important one. I would actually argue that seeing Mt. Denali itself shouldn’t be the foremost goal of a Denali vacationer. There is so much more to do around the National Park than looking at the mountain. The multitude of tour options, restaurants, hiking trails, and open wilderness will be enough to keep all but the most cranky travelers thrilled and entertained. The unique topography of Denali National Park, nestled neatly into the Alaska Range, gives it a different climate from areas both to the south and to the north. Denali’s climate and ecosystems are more similar to those of the arctic than those of Fairbanks, even though Fairbanks is closer to the arctic than Denali is!

During the summer months, you’ll have more options than during the winter. Take your pick of hiking tours, whitewater rafting, fine dining, ATV tours, Jeep rentals, and so much more. By mid-September most of these are closed, leaving only a few choices for places to stay and things to do. If all you want to ride on a dog sled and see the northern lights, winter is the way to go. Otherwise, I recommend visiting Denali in the summer to take full advantage of all the wonderful things the Park has to offer.

If I had to recommend one time in particular, it would be mid-August. By August, most of the mosquitoes have died off, but the weather is still warm. Depending on when you go in August, you might get have a chance to see the Northern Lights!