Denali State Park Facilities and Trails
In to the future
The South Denali Project is a new recreational complex being developed within Denali State Park. The first phase of the development, the K’esugi Ken Campground, will open in the summer of 2017. It is located at milepost 135.4 on the Parks Highway where visitors will experience wonderful views and a diverse landscape. For more information on the South Denali Project, click here.
Public Use Cabins
Denali State Park has three log cabins on Byers Lake. The cabins are available for nightly rental year-round by pre-paid reservation through the Mat-Su Area Headquarters in Wasilla at 745-3975, the Public Information Center in Anchorage at 269-8400 or at the link below. Cabin #1 features hand-crafted log work and a sod roof and is accessible in the summer by car. Cabin #2 has a spectacular view of Mt. McKinley and is accessible by a half-mile walk or by canoe in the summer. Cabin #3 has a great view of Kesugi Ridge and is 70 yards from Cabin #2. Winter access for each cabin varies. Click here for more information and reservations for these cabins.
Developed Camping and Recreation Facilities
From kayaking the white waters of the Chulitna River to cross-country skiing or just gazing into the embers of a campfire at Byers Lake Campground, Denali State Park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities for all. The following table details the park's facilities.
For more information please call Alaska State Parks - (907) 745-3975.
Facility | Camping | Picnic | Toilets | Drinking | Picnic | Boat | Bulletin | Parks Hwy. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Denali View South | 9 | X | X | X | X | 135.2 | ||
Lower Troublesome | 10 | X | X | X | X | X | 137.2 | |
Upper Troublesome | X | X | X | 137.6 | ||||
Byers Lake Campground* | 73 | X | X | X | X | X | 147.0 | |
Byers Lake Lakeshore | 6 | X | X | X | X | no road | ||
Alaska Veterans Memorial | X | X | X | X | 147.1 | |||
Denali View North | 20 | X | X | X | X | 162.7 | ||
Little Coal Creek |
| X | X | 163.9 | ||||
Ermine Hill Trailhead | X | 156.5 |
* Also available at Byers Lake Campground is the sale of firewood: see the Campground Host. Canoe and kayak rentals are available on location from Denali Southside River Guides, call (907) 733-7238 for information.
Hiking in the Back Country
One of the focuses of the park is to provide hiking opportunities. These vary from the regularly maintained trail around Byers Lake to back country routes like the trail along Troublesome Creek that receive very little maintenance attention. Hikers must be familiar with map reading skills to stay on route. For the best access to country above timberline, Hikers are advised to begin at the Little Coal Creek Trailhead. Guided hikes can be arranged with Mountain Light Adventures. call (907) 733-1237 for information.
Hiking Routes | Starting Point | Ending Point | Distance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Upper Troublesome Creek Trail | Upper Troublesome | Byers Lake | 15.2 | Difficult |
Kesugi Ridge Trail | Little Coal Creek | Byers Lake | 27.4 | Difficult |
Kesugi Ridge Trail | Little Coal Creek | Ermine Hill | 17.2 | Moderate |
Byers Lake Loop Trail | Byers Lake | Byers Lake | 4.8 | Easy |
Chulitna Confluence Trail | Lower Troublesome | Lower Troublesome | 1.2 | Easy |
Little Coal Creek Trail | Little Coal | Alpine | 2.0 | Moderate |
Ermine Hill Trail | Ermine Hill | Kesugi Ridge | 3.0 | Moderate |
Cascade Trail | Byers Lake Campground | Kesugi Ridge | 3.4 | Difficult |
Protecting Park Values
Denali State Park's near pristine state is a great asset. This wilderness quality can be preserved for years to come by adherence to rules and regulations that are necessary to protect the visitors as well as the park.
Littering is an unnecessary eyesore and a disappointment to all who follow. All refuse created in the park should be taken home or placed in the litter containers provided. All back country garbage should be packed out.
Protection of all natural features and park facilities is everyone's responsibility. All vandalism, from cutting living trees to carving initials in tables, is prohibited, and observed instances of such abuse should be reported. Stripping bark from trees can kill them and is not allowed.
Loose pets can be dangerous, so pets must be leashed in campgrounds or other developed areas on state park land. Pets in the back country must be under control at all times.
Discharge of weapons within one-quarter mile of the Parks Highway or within one-half mile of developed facilities or the trail around Byers Lake is prohibited for safety reasons.
Byers Lake
Motorized vehicles cause lasting damage to vegetation and trails, so their use is limited to maintained roads and parking areas. All-terrain vehicles, such as four-wheelers, are not permitted in the park. Snowmachines are allowed throughout the park when snow depth is sufficient (about 16 inches) to protect the vegetation.
Byers Lake is closed to boats with gasoline-operated motors and aircraft to insure the tranquility of the area.
Campfires must only be built in the fireplaces provided or in your portable camp stove. In the back country, use a backpack stove. Open fires are permitted on the gravel bars of the Chulitna, Susitna, and Tokositna Rivers.
The park has a small population of both black and grizzly bears. Campers are strongly encouraged to follow guidelines for camping in bear country. For the protection of both the bears and campers, no food may be left unattended at campsites. Food storage lockers are available at the Byers Lake Campground. For backcountry use, bear-proof canisters are recommended.
Kesugi Ridge looking at Ermine Hills
