Embark on a full-day adventure to Denali National Park from Fairbanks. Enjoy a scenic drive from Fairbanks to the Alaska Range which includes Denali the tallest mountain in North America. Take an climate controlled 3 Hour Off Road Fat Lorry/Sherp ride, getting off the beaten track into the mountains in the most capable Search & Rescue vehicles in the world. Enjoy Lunch at a local restaurant and then explore Denali National Park and visit the Visitor's Centre. On the way back to Fairbanks, you will visit the Village of Nenana and make a quick stop and a historic trading post.
Your day starts with pickup from your Fairbanks or North Pole based hotel or B&B. We drive you south to the Alaska Range with views of Denali in our All Wheel Drive comfortable Vans with metal-studded winter-tires made for driving safely in even the worst of road conditions. After a quick snack and bathroom break in Nenana and Healy, you will embark on an off road adventure with Denali Fat Lorry Tours.
Climb aboard a heated and enclosed search & rescue SHERP vehicle and travel up an old mining trail to the upper lookout. Take in the vista views and learn about the geology and history of the area.
Proceed to Dry Creek and the Frozen Palisades, a lateral glacial moraine where frozen rock cliffs seem to defy gravity. End your off road tour at Otto Lake where in the shoulder seasons you will experience the amphibious capabilities of the SHERP safely floating in the lake. In the winter, you will experience travelling over the ice-covered lake and when conditions are safe, walk on the ice covered lake.
Following the SHERP tour you will be ready for Lunch in Healy at one of the Local Roadhouse style restaurants (plan on speding about $15-20 per person for lunch).
After Lunch, you drive up the Nenana River Canyon to the entrance of Denali National Park. Take your photo in front of the iconic National Park signs and then head over to the visitor's centre. Get your National Park Passport book stamped, learn about the park and meet the park rangers who patrol at -40 degrees on dog sleighs and protect this national treasure.
Proceed North towards Fairbanks with a stop in the Native Village of Nenana and visit Coghill's Store, a 100 year-old Alaskan Trading post.
Return to Fairbanks and be dropped off at your hotel, the airport, or a restaurant of your choice completing your full day adventure to and from the Alaska Mountain Range and Denali/Mt. McKinley.
