The Trek in a snapshot
Location
From Anchorage – milepost 134.8. From Fairbanks – milepost 227.2 It is located just north of the Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge
Managing Agency
Alaska DNR
Pets
Allowed
Fees
None
Restrooms
Yes – pit style
Camping
9 campsites $15 per site. 15 day limit
Trail Condition
Concrete path to the lower viewpoint. The upper viewpoint is accessible by a gravel trail.
Sights
One of the most dramatic views of Denali and surrounding mountains
Water Info
Drinking fountain available in summer only. Bring your own water
Best Season
Spring, summer, fall. The viewpoint is closed during winter months.
Distance
1/4 mile roundtrip
Time Required
Les than 15 minutes
Parking Elevation
651 ft
Summit Elevation
Varies slightly to the lower lookout. Upper lookout gains about 50 ft.
Elevation Difference
Varies slightly to the lower lookout. Upper lookout gains about 50 ft.
Trek Planner Maps
Denali Viewpoint South: 62.59257, -150.23902
Experience. Discover. Explore.
Follow along on our adventure then go out on your own!
Note: The viewpoint is closed in the winter months.
Every time I drive the George Parks Highway to Anchorage I stop at the Denali Viewpoint South. In my opinion, this viewpoint offers one of the best and dramatic views of Denali. On a clear day the view is absolutely amazing and worth a stop every time.
Seeing all 20,310 feet of Denali is a special experience. I visited once last summer when there was a bus load of about 50 people getting off to see the viewpoint. It was the busiest I have seen it but it was interesting to witness that people were quiet and even whispering.
This viewpoint is part of the Alaska State Parks system and has camping/RV sites, restrooms and picnic tables.
The walk from the parking lot to the lower viewpoint is less than a hundred feet and is all on concrete.
From the viewpoint you can see the Chulitna River, Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter, Mt. Denali, Moose’s Tooth and more!
If you want to get an even better view of the Chulitna River and Denali, hike the short trail to your right.
Not many people hike up to the upper viewpoint so you may have it all to yourself.
Personal Thoughts
Make the stop and visit this viewpoint! On a clear day, you would be crazy to skip over this stop.
[…] if you’re lucky to have clear weather, that is. It’s very cloudy when we first stop at Denali Viewpoint South, and although we can see some mountains in the distance, Mt. Denali is completely obscured from […]
The river is the Chulitna River
Thank you for clearing that up, Julia!
Excellent information. It would be helpful to state the distance from Viewpoint South to Denali. Using the 5-mile scale on the map it appears the distance is about 40 miles. I may visit this summer.