Denali National Park

Denali National Park

Denali National Park and Preserve is a vast area of pristine alpine tundra and boreal forest in south-central Alaska. The park and reserve were established in 1980, incorporating the former Mount McKinley National Park and an additional 6,405 square miles. It was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1976. The park and preserve covers the heart of the rugged Alaska Range, as well as a large area of lower hills and rolling plains north of the range. The central part of the park is Denali, the highest peak in North America. Denali is the ancient Athabaskan Indian name for the mountain, meaning The Great One or The High One. The peak was for many years called Mount McKinley after US President William McKinley, but in 2015 its original name was restored. Other attractions in the park include the great glaciers of the Alaska Range, the Mount Foraker, the Savage River area to the west of the park center, and the pristine environment of the region. Denali is home to many North American birds and mammals, including roughly 300-350 Grizzly Bears on the north side of the Alaska Range and approximately 2700 Black Bears. Since 2014, the park's biologists have observed around 51 wolves in 13 packs, while studies estimated 2,230 caribou in 2013 and 1,477 moose in 2011. On the mountain slopes Dall Sheep can often be seen. There are also plenty of smaller animals, such as coyotes, marmots, shrews, Arctic Ground Squirrels, beavers, pikas and Snowshoe Hares. Red and Arctic Foxes, martens, Canada Lynx and wolverines also live in the park, but are less often seen due to their elusive nature.