There's a sweet spot between Labor Day and the onset of winter in Denali National Park. Filled with vibrant color and active wildlife, Denali's fall season is short, but the opportunities to explore this 6-million-acre park are deep, especially for families looking for a different national park experience.
For a select few, Denali National Park opens its doors over a long September weekend. Denali's annual road lottery allows the winners of permits access to the one ribbon of roadway that bisects the park and all the wildness that comes with it. This year, the lottery begins Sept. 17, and the excitement is building.
The Denali National Park Road Lottery system has been in place since 1990, when 300 vehicles per day were allowed to cross the Savage River boundary usually accessible only to tour buses and those with special camping permits. These days, 10,000 individuals -- both residents and non-residents -- vie for 1,600 permits (400 cars per day) that allow 18 hours of access to the park's 92-mile road that terminates at Wonder Lake. Permit winners and losers both pay a $10 application fee.
Holders of the coveted permits should do some prudent planning. Autumn in the mountainous regions of Interior Alaska means questionable weather, fewer services and driving -- lots and lots of driving. For families traveling with children, the road lottery weekend presents a few challenges, but with a bit of common sense and orientation to the park, it also delivers opportunity.
Good information can be found on the Denali National Park website, but here are a few tips our family discovered during our first park road adventure.
• Pack wisely. Bring clothing and equipment for rain, snow and sunshine, remembering that weather often changes as you drive farther into the park. Add gloves, hats and boots for outside exploration, and blankets or sleeping bags for the long ride to and from your park road turnaround point, wherever that may be.
• Go early. Pick up your permit the day before, then spend the night in one of the park's three campgrounds open during lottery weekend or stay at one of the hotels, inns or cabins in operation so you can sleep well before and after your busy day in the park.
• Take your time. Lottery winners are allowed entrance beyond Savage River at Milepost 15 beginning at 6 a.m. They must return by midnight on the day of their permit. Parents in the know swear by a "journey is the destination" mantra, meaning that it's the drive, not the endpoint, that matters. Stop every hour or so, take a hike, scan the horizon with binoculars, and savor this outside time with your children.
• Feed the family. Denali National Park concessionaires operate the Morino Grill near the main visitor center, where food and beverages can be purchased from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Many families, however, choose to picnic their way up and back along the park road, packing everything from fried chicken to burritos. Load up a cooler to last at least 12 hours, and remember that road tripping makes kids extra hungry. Consider adding a thermos of hot water for chilly days, and bring plenty of water for each person.
• Be prepared. There are no vehicle services inside park boundaries, so a full tank of gas, inflated tires and an emergency kit are mandatory before departing the visitor center. Park staffers will patrol the park road in the event assistance is needed, but drivers should be self-sufficient.
• Take advantage of other activities. Even though a busy summer season is winding down, kid-friendly activities are still available. Visit the canine rangers of the Denali National Park Sled Dog Kennels (including a full litter of puppies) or hike with a National Park Service ranger around the entrance area. Kids can become junior rangers during their visit by completing the books provided by park staff at both the main and Eielson visitor centers. Murie Science and Learning Center, located near the park entrance, provides a warm stove, children's corner and lots of natural science information to explore.
Denali road lottery information
• Dates: Sept. 17, 18, 20 and 21. Saturday Sept. 19 is designated "Military Appreciation Day," with free admission for Alaska-based active duty service members and their families. Contact duty station family support services for additional information.
• Permits: Pick up road lottery permits at the main Denali Visitor Center at Mile 1.5 of the park road as early as Wednesday, Sept. 16. Visitor center hours are 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. On Monday Sept. 21, hours are 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Lodging
• Campgrounds in the park: Riley Creek, located near the entrance; Savage River at Mile 13 of the park road; Teklanika, at Mile 29 on the park road. Reservations available at www.reservedenali.com.
• Hotels/lodges outside the park: Visit the Denali Chamber of Commerce for a complete listing within a 60-mile radius of Denali National Park. www.denalichamber.com.
Erin Kirkland is author of Alaska on the Go: Exploring the 49th state with children, and publisher of AKontheGO.com, Alaska's only family travel resource. Connect with her at e.kirkland0@gmail.com.