The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
and family visited Denali National Park
Denali, Alaska
July 12, 2016

This is the third time that the two RV Gypsies have been to Denali National Park.

Denali National Park was created in 1917 and has grown to over 6 million acres, bisected by one ribbon of road. Visitors can only drive their own vehicle a short distance within the park - only up to mile 15. There are several site-seeing bus tours visitors can purchase. Leashed pets are allowed on the road and in entrance area campgrounds, but they can not be left unattended. There are many hiking paths throughout the park and the park offers discovery hikes. There are also bicycle trails.

Karen Duquette and sister at Denali NP sign

The two RV Gypsies took a 13-hour bus trip to the end of the road in Denali National Park - mile 90 - Kantishna and those photos are on page 3 and can be reached through the link at the bottom of this page. Most of the photos on this page were taken out of the window of the moving bus, except for the few times the bus stopped and let everyone off for a break. Cookies, water and soda was offered free at each bus stop.

Denali bus to Kantishna

Below: The bus drove over a bridge with nice views of a braided river.

braided river

braided river

Below: Views from the bus

another braided river

braided river number 2

braided river

Denali National Park offers different views such as the relatively low-elevation taiga forest, to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America's tallest peak, Denali at 20,310 feet. Wild animals large and small roam unfenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await.

Below: Stony Dome

Denali National Park scenery

Denali National Park scenery

Denali National Park scenery

rock slide

Below: Two of Karen' Duquette's favorite photos - Wicked, twisted roads and the steep cliffs below and above the road - yes, this road is for 2-way traffic and yes there were scary moments on corners. Karen actually took more cliff photos in 2009, so if you like cliffs or just want to see different photos in Denali NP, check that out by using the TOC button at the bottom of the last page of this 2016 Denali trip and choosing the National Parks button.

road and big cliff

Denali bus by the cliff

Denali National Park scenery

Denali National Park scenery

Below: Another break from the long bus ride - Toklat River (mile 53). Toklat River is an area of merging glacial rivers and towering cliffs. Dall Sheep are said to be on the steep rocky hillsides but even with binoculars they just looked like a small grain of white rice.

river in Denali National Park

river in Denali National Park

the two RV Gypsies in Denali National Park

Denali National Park scenery

Denali National Park scenery

the son-in-law of the two RV Gypsies

Below: The bus also stopped at Eielson Visitor Center, mile 66. There was a great view of Denali Mountain from here, and those photos are on page 2, which can be reached through the link at the bottom of this page.

Eielson Visitor Center sign

Below: Karen Duquette liked the "Keep Exploring" engraved on the steps, plus the nearby Explore sign.

sign

Karen Duquette says Keep Exploring

Below: The family of the two RV Gypsies took a bit of a walk behind Eielson Visitor Center. They almost missed the bus for the rest of the trip. Luckily others were even later than them getting back on the bus, and the bus driver waited.

family hiking at Eielson Visitor Center

family hiking at Eielson Visitor Center

family hiking at Eielson Visitor Center

family hiking at Eielson Visitor Center

Below: This is either Reflection Pond or Wonder Lake - The two RV Gypsies wondered which one it is.

Reflection Pond

Reflection Pond

Below: A beautiful mountain

Below: An area the bus did not stop at.

a mountain in Denali National Park

an area the bus did not stop at.

After leaving Denali National Park, Karen Duquette spotted the mosquito sign shown below and thought it was funny. But it was also true.

ha ha hamosquito funny sigm

look below

please continue on to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies Continue on to page 2 of Denali National Park - the amazing Denali Mountain