Home to N. America's tallest peak, Denali was first national park established to conserve wildlife in 1917. Today it is 6 million acres of wild, Alaskan land.
These tracks were created when a wolf compressed the snow under its paws and then wind blew the surrounding snow away. The effect is a dramatic chain of raised tracks on ice. You never know what you’ll find when you explore a trail in Denali!
NPS Photos
You’ve cat to be kitten me! Not 1, not 4, but 6 lynx were spotted crossing the
#Denali
park road yesterday! We hope this family continues to provide surprise visits this
#winter
.
video: a family of lynx crosses the road near park HQ.
🎥
@wayfaringwilly
#wildandwonderful
Trail cam photos taken at wolf dens offer a peek into the family lives of wolves in Denali. The cameras are put in place before the denning season begins and removed after it ends to avoid disturbing the wolves. The goal is to learn about wolves - cute puppy pics are a bonus!
Another hearty winter resident is the elusive lynx. Lynx are active all winter except during severe weather when they simply bed down in snow and take advantage of the insulation. Lynx have great rounded feet that act as snowshoes, which are clearly visible in the photo.
Winter sunrises are coming later and later in Denali National Park and Preserve, but they are worth the wait!
“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!” — John Muir
What is your favorite quote about nature?
NPS Photos/Jessica Drain
Happy St.Patrick’s Day from the sky over
#Denali
!
Most solar partials collide with our atmosphere around 60 - 150 miles in altitude. The “excited” oxygen at these attitudes gives off perfect hues of green to go along with any
#stpatricksday
celebration.
Happy Birthday Alaska! 🎂 It was
#OnThisDay
in 1959 that Alaska officially became a state!
#FunFact
: Of the 20 highest peaks in the United States, 17 are in Alaska -- including the tallest peak in North America,
#Denali
.
The first significant snowfall of the season has turned Denali National Park into a winter wonderland! Visitors are still coming here and hiking the snow covered trails. Do you like to have snowy adventures, or do you prefer to wait inside until summer returns?
NPS Photos
The Canada Lynx tends to be a solitary animal. Seeing two of them indicates they are probably a family out for a stroll. What feeling would wash over you if you got to see these animals in the woods today?
NPS/T.Devine Video
🧛🏼♂️ Please feast your eyes (and only your eyes) on this spooky mushroom, Hydnellum peckii, aka Bleeding Mushroom, aka Devil’s Tooth. Spoiler alert, vampires: not real blood.
NPS 📸 / DeNoto
Denali summers are a time of
#growth
. A 7ft, 1200lb Alaskan Bull Moose is no exception. Now they are busy eating over 70lbs of plant material a day.
#proudmama
#moose
have to support their young while the Bulls have to eat enough support their 6ft antlers they grow every year
“I have lived with several Zen masters— all of them cats.”
-Eckhart Tolle
Lynx are Denali’s only wild cat species.
Have you seen the elusive lynx...
or have they seen y o u?
NPS / DeNoto
#DidYouKnow
wolves begin mating between 2-3 yrs old? Pups are born in early spring and are cared for by the pack. By 7-8 months of age, when almost fully grown, pups begin traveling with the adults. Learn more at .
#SaturdaySpotlight
#Denali
#wolves
It won’t officially be Autumn for a few more days, but in subarctic Denali the leaves change early. These pictures are from a week ago when colors were at their peak in the entrance area. Fall in Denali may be short, but it certainly is spectacular!
NPS Photos/Jessica Drain
"Think about geologic time: how the slightest shifts, imperceptible daily, carve canyons and make mountains. Trust that you are making progress even if you can't yet see it. Keep moving." -Maggie Smith
NPS Photo / Emily Mesner
The days may be short, but the little light we do get is stunning – this alpenglow is from 1pm. And this time of year we can look forward to longer and longer days now that we are past the solstice
What are you looking forward to in the New Year?
NPS Photos/Jessica Drain
This frozen landscape of rock and ice may seem stagnant, but these rivers of ice are moving, some around 3ft a day, and the mountains are growing at ½ mm a year...
The world is in a state of change even if we don't notice...
check out the full post:
Winter wildlife viewing can be challenging, as many species hibernate or migrate. Even animals that remain active can be hard to spot, like this snowshoe hare with its white camouflage. Have you ever been surprised by an animal while hiking in the winter?
NPS Photo
It’s the beginning of aurora season. The aurora made its first appearance in the Denali area last Friday! Planning a trip to Denali? Read up on how to make the most of your aurora adventure before you arrive:
NPS Photo / Lian Law
It’s almost Halloween – let’s take a look at some of the critters in Denali that go bump in the night! These are trail camera photos of some of the more seldom seen Denali animals. Do you recognize who’s out there in the dark? Leave your guesses below!
NPS Photos
Is there something in your life you would protect at any cost?
For these mama moose, their babies are the most important things in the world.
Please respect them and help them by giving them plenty of space.
NPS Photos / DeNoto
It’s Groundhog Day! Or, Marmot Day here in Denali National Park. Groundhogs might not be native to Denali, but the park is home to their cousin, the hoary marmot. And regardless of whether any marmots see any shadows, Denali is sure to have 6 more weeks of winter!
NPS Photo
"Wilderness holds the answers to more questions than we yet know how to ask."
-Nancy Newhall, This is the American Earth
What would you travel here to ask?
NPS Photo/K. Miller
What a difference a week makes! These two pictures were taken at Horseshoe Lake just one week apart. Winter has definitely arrived at Denali - it was only -5 degrees at the park entrance this morning!
Are you excited for winter to arrive where you live?
NPS Photos
Does seeing these pictures make you think of a school report? Probably not! However, this time of year many students are learning about National Parks.
Pictures of Denali sway them to pick this park for their project. What advice would you give the students? 🍎📝
Seven dogs on the first sled take off! 14 more dogs bark and wait earnestly for their turn. What is something you really wanted, but had to wait patiently for?
Winged cats. Marshmallows with eyes. Hoo are they?
Great Horned Owls, of course! Their hoots resonate throughout the boreal forest on winter nights.
Have you ever seen or heard an owl?
NPS Photo / Kent Miller
What happens to Denali's wood frogs in the winter? 🐸❄️
They are frozen solid... and alive, though their lungs will not breathe, their heart will not beat, their muscles will not move, until spring thaw.
NPS 📸 / J. Hubbard
For Halloween, ptarmigan in Denali National Park dress up as the same thing every year - snow! Ptarmigan are the only birds that change into costumes of winter white in order to blend in to their surroundings. For ptarmigan, dressing up is serious business!
NPS Photo/Lian Law
Some of the most famous encounters are the ones least expected. The long-legged Lynx, with its tufted ears and bobbed trail, is the only wild cat species native to Alaska. Always expect the unexpected when you are wandering around Denali this winter.
A rare appearance by two wolverines quickly became the talk of the park this week. These critters spent part of their day peeking at visitors from a culvert along Denali Park Road!
#Wildlife
#KeepWildlifeWild
#Denali
#NPS
Breath comes in great puffs of condensation. Snow crunches under your skis. Sunlight hits the mountains around you. Vole and squirrel tracks dance across the snow and disappear into burrows.
What is it like to be outside on this January day where you are?
NPS Photo/J. Tomsen
Moonlight reflecting off of the snow-covered ground makes Denali's winter full moons stunning.
What makes the full moon impressive to you?
NPS Photo / K. Karnes
The Iditarod begins tomorrow, and Denali dogs will be there! They will be the ceremonial first team to take off, kicking off this Alaskan event.
Denali’s dogs will not race, however! They are built like weightlifters more than marathoners.
#DenaliDogCentennial
#CanineRanger
You’re never too young to go for a walk with mama! Ok maybe not true for moose. Mama moose will usually let their calves stay with them a full year until nxt year's babies. Then will start to push the older calf to go out on it's own. They grow up so fast! ;(
PC NPS/Emily Mesner
If April showers bring May flowers... what does April snow bring?
NPS Video / K. Karnes
[Video Description: Large snowflakes fall heavily in front of a view of several spruce trees with snow-covered branches.]
[Audio: Wind.]
There are little splashes of color everywhere you look in Denali National Park right now - wildflowers are at their peak here in June and July. Do you have a favorite wildflower?
NPS Photos/Jessica Drain
Even in January, the coldest month of the year, there are already invisible signs of spring on its way. Bear cubs are being born in their dens!
NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank
Denali Kennels are open tomorrow from 1-4pm and our Canine Rangers including Disco here are looking for some pets. Want to learn about all of our dogs?
It’s Bark Ranger Day, the perfect time to give a shout out to the Denali National Park sled dogs! This winter the sled dogs travelled 1,500 miles in Denali to help complete a variety of projects for the park.
#BARKRanger
#NationalParkWeek
#FindYourPark
NPS Photos
S’more the sled dog wishes everyone a happy National S’mores Day! S’more is from the Find Your Park litter. Each puppy was named after something that can be found in our National Parks. What do you enjoy finding when you visit your National Parks?
NPS Photos
Is that a hawk or an owl? It’s a Northern Hawk Owl!
This bird, a permanent resident of Denali, looks like an owl (oval body, yellow eyes, round face) but behaves like a hawk (perching atop trees and hunting by daylight).
NPS Photo / E. Mesner
They’re back! Recently, the first bear of the spring was spotted in Denali National Park. Now it’s time to brush up on bear safety in Denali: stay at least 300 yards from bears and make noise as you hike. It’s also recommended that hikers carry bear spray when exploring the park.
“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it.” — John Burroughs
Short winter days make each glimpse of sunlight special. What do you like most about this time of year?
NPS Photos
We have a lot to celebrate here for International Mountain Day! Approximately 150 miles of the Alaska Range are found here, including Denali itself, the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet tall.
What have you discovered on a mountain?
#IMD2020
NPS Photo / Tim Rains
This cute nose belongs to Apollo, one of the pups from summer 2021. Apollo is starting his first winter as a full-fledged member of Denali’s dog team. It’s time for him to run with the big dogs! What advice do you have for Apollo as he starts his career as a Denali canine ranger?
And I would walk 500 miles...
Wolves sometimes travel incredible distances - wolves collared in Denali have traveled as far as Bering Land Bridge National Preserve.
Read more about the long-distance journeys of Denali’s wolves here:
NPS Photos
Happy Fall Equinox from Denali National Park! In the wise words of Winnie the Pooh:
"It's the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and, best of all, leaping into leaves!"
What is your favorite thing about autumn?
NPS Photos
No better way to celebrate the
#NPSbirthday
, than to take advantage of this fee free day to visit Denali. And if you can't visit in-person,
#FindYourPark
on the web, with video streams and photos from around our nation:
Meet Cupcake! The grey is deceptive, he's only 5 years old. He is a friendly boy who quickly becomes the favorite dog of many park visitors. Cupcake has also become one of our most reliable lead dogs for winter patrols. Just look at that sweet face - who doesn't love a Cupcake!
Change is in the air. Temperatures are dropping; summer's greens have given way to the reds, golds, and yellows of autumn; and caribou are shedding the velvet on their antlers. Winter is not far behind! What is your favorite season in Denali National Park and Preserve?
📸NPS/FJ
A sled dog family reunion: the adoptive families of three of our retired sled dogs met up in the park to reunite Keta, age 16 (left in the first photo) with her son Lucor, age 10 (middle in first photo) and Lucor’s daughter Solace, age 5 (right in the first photo).
NPS Photos
Grizzly bears are omnivorous, eating a mixed diet of grasses, berries, roots, fish and small mammals.
Sounds pretty healthy, eh?
Speaking of diets, how are your New Years Resolutions holding up?
Om-nom-nom-nom.....
NPS Photo/Kent Miller
Wild Public Lands are for everyone and everyone needs a moment to disconnect and reconnect with nothing which in turn can mean everything. Silently gathering one’s thoughts as the sunsets over the mountains can be an ideal place for inspiration.
Photo: T.Devine/NPS Photo
Snow flurries fell in Denali this morning, but blooming wildflowers prove that spring has arrived! Denali is home to more than 450 species of flowering plants that add bursts of color all over the landscape.
What is your favorite wildflower?
NPS Photos/Jacob Frank
Happy “Ewe” Year! While we won’t be seeing Dall sheep ewes with lambs for several more months, we are dreaming of all the possibilities of the coming year. As the first full week of 2021 begins, we hope that you too are finding something to dream of.
NPS Photo / Kent Miller
This time of year, direct sunlight doesn’t reach the ground at the Winter Visitor Center in Denali. The sun’s low-angled rays are blocked by the surrounding mountains. This means that on clear days, beautiful alpenglow lights up the mountainsides for the brief daylight hours.
Even though the road is closed to cars past mile 3. This place has some of the best
#winter
#wilderness
#recreation
around. Bundle up! Today's high: -7F/-21C
Berry season has begun in Denali National Park. The blueberries are out a little early this year, but nobody is complaining! Fun blueberry fact – many of our park sled dogs enjoy nibbling on roadside blueberries while out on a walk.
NPS Photos/Jessica Drain
“An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language.” ― Martin Buber
What are these eyes conveying to you? 🐻🦊🦌👀
Bear and Fox: NPS Photos
Caribou: NPS 📸/ Emily Mesner
Moose: NPS 📸/ Claire Abendroth
River sculpted ice: when a fast-moving river freezes, it is not a smooth process. The power of running water leaves chunks of ice strewn along the banks, sculptures created by the forces of nature.
When have you come across art created by the natural world?
NPS Photos
Conditions Update! Denali is in the midst of a blizzard of north winds and light fluffy snow! Would you want to be the first person to rebreak trail down to Horseshoe Lake today?
NPS Photo/J. Tomsen
The red squirrels of Denali National Park are hard at work collecting spruce cones for winter. This involves throwing cones out of trees, and as the squirrels aren't too worried about bystander safety, beware of falling spruce cones when hiking in Denali!
NPS Photo/Kent Miller
Where and when do you see
#NorthernLights
in
#Denali
?
Umm... in the sky at night. 😉
Check the weather and search the internet for “Aurora Forecast Denali” there are plenty of online tools to help.
Tonight is a KP 4 (active) but chance of flurries so we'll see what we get.
The reddish, rosy hues of alpenglow kiss the tops of the Alaska Range as the sunrise and sunset shape each new day. These golden hour colors of alpenglow attract early-bird risers and night owl photographers from across the world in hopes to capture the essence of Denali.
Winter Storm Warning! ☃❄️
👉Travelers be advised Denali is in a massive snowstorm, and more is on the way this weekend!
Roads are expected to be challenging.
All buildings and the sled dog kennels are closed on December 25th. 🐾
NPS Photo/J. Peaco
Record breaking snows last month.
We're all pulling for our little moose buddies out there. Moose are stressed and concentrating where we have plowed. Moose are dangerous. Be safe, keep your head on a swivel, and be ready to run if needed. Give us a call if you plan to visit
On frosty mornings some bears like to lay on our muddy road...? After the bear decides to move make sure to check your mirrors 😁. Denaliroadlottery2020# day 4 started about 2 hours ago. Everyone drive safe and cautions out there.
NPS/Tyler Devine
NPS/Taylor Bracher
The arctic ground squirrel - the coolest mammal in Denali! This extreme hibernator survives a lower body temp than any other mammal in the world. While hibernating, their body temp will drop down to 27 degrees F without freezing, a process known as supercooling.
NPS Photo
Hey! You looking at me??!?
Denali’s busses are slated to start running May 20th. You can reserve your tickets for these bus rides and tours at . Internet Search: “Denali Transit Bus Schedule 2021” to start planning.