Frequently Asked Questions

No. Private vehicles are not allowed past Mile 15 (Savage River) in the National Park. In order to get into the Park, you will have to reserve space on the park buses. The Denali Highway runs east along the Alaska Mountain Range and the DNP Road runs west along the same mountain range. Before the Parks Highway was completed, the Denali Highway was the only way to get into the park. Along the Denali Highway, you will get a park experience: same mountains, the same animals, the same taiga and tundra! Glaciers are easily seen from the road and Denali is often visible (weather permitting.)

Weather permitting, Denali is visible along the Parks Highway as the tour heads south to Cantwell and onto the Denali Highway. Denali is also visible along the first several miles of the Denali Highway. Since the tour is out and back, this provides an additional chance to see Denali.

You came to Denali because of the National Park and most likely to see Denali and wildlife. We will never tell you to not go into the Park. The park buses will give you the best chance of seeing wildlife and seeing the mountains. However, Denali is visible from the Denali Highway and we see wildlife on our tours. The park buses are packed with visitors; our tour offers a more intimate Alaskan experience and a chance to escape the crowds. Park buses have driver narration and stops for scenery and wildlife but you are only allowed out of the buses at designated stops. Jeep Guides offer narration and stops and will allow guests to get out of the Jeeps as long as conditions are safe. Glaciers are visible from the Denali Highway, unlike in the Park. Park tours can take up to 12 hours; the Denali Highway Jeep Excursion is 4 hours, leaving plenty of time for other activities. This is especially nice if the weather has turned and you would like to do something else with your day!

With almost 24 hours of daylight during most of our summer tours, there is no difference between the morning and evening departures! Choose which one fits into your schedule best. Animals usually prefer the cool of the morning and evening to the heat of the middle of the day. Both our tours have similar chances of seeing wildlife.

Yes! Maybe! No! This is not a zoo, so animals are not guaranteed – Moose, fox, porcupines, snowshoe hares, caribou, and occasionally sheep and bears. Morning and late afternoon are typically the best times. The Jeep tours get back further into the Alaskan wilderness offering better chances to see wildlife.

During the summer, we have almost 24 hours of complete daylight so no time is better than another for animal spotting. Often rainy days bring out more moose looking for relief from the direct sunlight. Animals are more active early morning and late evening but there is no difference!

Each Jeep tour has a 4-hour window. Mileage traveled will depend on how many times and how long the tour group is stopping – animals, scenery, photography, restrooms, etc. Some tours will travel less mileage in 4 hours and some may travel more. Approximate mileage is based on an average tour and round-trip travel. Most tours will travel around 100 miles.

Tour groups need to stay together, within CB radio range, as there is no cell reception on the highway. It is not permissible to travel off-road in the Denali Highway area due to local restrictions. Tour groups stay together so that no one makes a wrong turn or gets separated. The Denali Highway is regularly patrolled by AK State Troopers and our groups make sure that everyone is abiding by local laws and regulations.

Our tours average 6 Jeeps and we cap tours at 12 Jeeps. Since Jeeps can fit 1-5 persons, the number of actual people on a tour may vary.

There are designated stopping points during each tour at scenic points and overlooks. If the tour sees moose or other animals, we can stop to take pictures. If you need to stop during your tour, simply alert a guide.

Port-a-potties are located at the Denali Jeep Launch site.

There is a port-a-potty at the Jeep Tour Launch Site. There are restrooms in Cantwell at both of the gas stations. There are very nice pit toilets at the Brushkana Campground.

Alert the guide over the CB radio and they will direct you to a good area. Jeeps are equipped with basic toiletries.

All Denali Jeep tours are guided by professional, knowledgeable guides. All Jeeps are equipped with 2-way radios for communication with the Guide or between Jeeps.

Use the CB radio in each Jeep to communicate with the guides.

It is customary to tip your guides about 10% if they did a good job and you had a great time. Tips can be made on-site in cash or even in the Tour Office after the tour by cash or credit card.

All guides are First-Aid and CPR certified. The guide unit on all tours is equipped with first aid, emergency supplies, satellite phones, spare tires and tire repair kits.

The guides will do what they can to make you comfortable and secure while driving the Denali Highway. If you feel you cannot complete the tour, alert the guides. The best time to completely opt-out is before you start on the tour; as you continue, there are fewer and harder means to exit and return to the launch site. Once the tour reaches the Denali Highway, about 20 minutes into the tour, the group must stay together. There is no cell reception or amenities along the Denali Highway.