Things to Do For Kids in Denali National Park and Preserve Alaska

Denali National Park and Preserve Alaska offer many activities for children. For example, you can hike the Savage River Loop Trail, explore Marmot Basin, or go horseback riding. You can also take the horseshoe lake trail.

Savage River Loop Trail

The Savage River Loop Trail is a moderately easy walk that takes about an hour to complete. It follows the Savage River which creates a canyon between Mount Margaret Ridge and Healy Ridge. It has very few uphill sections, and you’ll keep your feet mostly near the river for most of the hike.

This hike offers many beautiful views. It crosses a variety habitats, including the Boreal forest and tundra. The hike begins at the Savage River check station, which is about 15 miles from the park entrance. The trail is well-developed, and kids will love it. Families with young children will love the trail that crosses the Savage River.

Marmot Basin Trail

Six million acres of Alaska’s interior wilderness are covered by Denali National Park & Preserve. Its highest peak, Denali, stands 20,310 feet above sea level. The park contains a variety of ecosystems, including spruce forests, glaciers, and tundra. It is home to grizzly bears, caribou, and other wildlife. During your visit, you can enjoy a range of hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities.

Denali National Park honors the legacy of Ahtna Athabaskan leader Katie John, who fought for subsistence rights and the preservation of her culture. She’s memorialized in the park by a statue of Katie John, who stands in a meadow with her children. Unfortunately, legacy mining has altered stream water quality in some areas of the park. As a result, the National Park Service is implementing restoration efforts to restore streams. Understanding the impact of legacy mining on stream water quality will help prioritize restoration efforts.

Horseshoe Lake Trail

The Horseshoe Lake Trail for kids in Den Ali National Park & Preserve Alaska is an out-and-back trail that loops around the lake. The trail is easy to follow and offers the chance to see wildlife, beaver dams, and other natural features. There is a small parking area at the trailhead.

One of my favorite hikes in Denali National Park was the Horseshoe Lake/Nenana River trail. We walked through willow and spruce trees to a pristine Alaskan lake. After the lake, we crossed railroad tracks and continued to the Nenana River.

Marmot Basin

Denali National Park & Preserve covers 6 million acres of Alaska’s interior wilderness. Its centerpiece is the 20,310-foot-high Denali, also known as Mount McKinley. The park is home to a variety of landscapes, including tundra, spruce forests, and glaciers. The park also houses grizzly bears and wolves, as well as caribou and Dall sheep. Visitors can experience the park’s diverse ecosystem through backpacking and hiking excursions.

The Marmot Basin Trail, a seven-mile wilderness hike, can be done early in morning. This trail takes you through alpine meadows, offering panoramic views of the park.