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Explore the Wild!

Your Alaska & Yukon Travel Expert

Break with the Best Views of Mt Denali

by Irene

Irene GoNorth

The Parks Highway connects Fairbanks and Anchorage, the two largest cities in Alaska. It takes about 7 hours to drive the 323 miles. While most visitors spend a couple of nights in Denali, 2.5hrs into the journey coming from Fairbanks, those wanting to escape the crowds or needing to cover the whole distance in a day, find a couple really great places for a break well worth taking.

Hiking Bison Gulch

My travels always include my dogs so a short hike is always a must.

Bison Gulch pull out at Mile 243.5 is our preferred stop when ready for a steep but rewarding hike. Across the road from the pull out the hiking trail winds up the mountain, briefly through bushes, but quickly you’re out of tall vegetation and the view just gets better with each step up the hill.

Pit stop with a view

For a break further South, our preferred little escape is at mile 135.6, K’esugi Ken Campground and day use area.
In addition to the campground there is a an easy to walk flat trail system with nice view over to Mt Denali. For a longer hike you can go all the way to the ridge for the ultimate view (3 miles hike).
In winter the trails are groomed for skiing.

If you like to camp here, Kesugi Ken is the deluxe version of an Alaska State Park Campground even offering electric hookup.

Dog standing on a rock in front of a mountain range during daylight
Two dogs sitting in snow in front of mountain range during daylight
A motorhome on the right side parked in a gravel lot next to a fire pit surrounded by trees during daylight
A dog standing on grass and looking down to a busy street surrounded by mountains during daylight
Mount Denali covered in snow during daylight with some bushes in front
Dog standing on a rock in front of a mountain range during daylight

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