The summer months are the best time to visit Denali National Park, and tours generally don’t operate after the end of August. Average temperatures in Denali National Park vary an incredible amount. The Best Time to Visit Denali National Park, AK, US for Weather, Safety, & Tourism Weather in Denali National Park. As spring arrives, winter slowly lets go of its grip on the park! The best chance to view wildlife in Denali is on an excursion, specifically an early morning bus tour down the Denali Park Road. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists. March and April can be cold and wet in Denali. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do. Highs range from 67.1°F (19.5°C) and 14.4°F (-9.8°C) with far warmer temperatures in the later months. While neither experience is guaranteed, your odds of seeing wildlife are good if you know where to look. Get the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) updates for the USA with current travel advice, statistics and online resources. The memories we create for our guests aren’t typical —every experience is unique, personal and unforgettable. Make sure you pick the right time to visit for your favorite activities and adventures. As of Oct 07, 2019 there are no travel advisories or warnings for the United States; exercise normal security precautions. It’s near impossible to take pictures that will give Denali National Park the justice it deserves but hopefully, you will be inspired enough to pay a visit for yourselves in the future. Out of the Big 5, the only ones we didn’t see was the last one. Pursuit is a collection of inspiring and unforgettable experiences in iconic places including Alaska, Montana, the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver, Reykjavík, Las Vegas (opening in 2021) and Toronto (opening in 2022). Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced. The visitor season gets into high gear in mid-June and starts to wind down in mid-August. Wildlife activity peaks as animals are busy eating, moving and living as much as possible. Coastal regions and the Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska get a lot more precipitation than Denali National Park and Fairbanks in the Interior of the state. But when we looked at the 'best time to go' picks by Lonely Planet guidebook authors for the most visited and best-known parks in the US and Canada and stacked them all up on a calendar, the answer came as something of a surprise: October. The Best Time to Visit Alaska's National Parks Warmer temperatures and more daylight in July and August make visiting places like Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park a dream. Tourists are unlikely to visit Denali National Park in November. The busiest month for tourism in Denali National Park, AK, US is July, followed by August and June. With comfortable weather (including the warmest temperatures of the year), long days and evenings dominated by the Midnight Sun, wildflowers in bloom and the entire place bursting with life, July is prime time in Denali. Areas north of Denali, around Fairbanks, offer a higher likelihood of seeing the aurora than areas south of Denali, towards Anchorage. The mountain is most readily visible during the winter months. Denali National Park And Preserve Weather in August: The highest temperature recorded is 77℉ which would make you want to run to the nearest café to down a glass of chilled drink, but the moderate humidity of 78% makes this month an excellent time to visit Denali National Park And Preserve. The best time to visit Denali National Park in Alaska is from june until august, when you will have a very cold temperature, but limited rainfall.The highest average temperature in Denali National Park is 15°C in july and the lowest is -11°C in january. Denali in September. Weather is far too cold this time of year in Denali National Park to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. During the summer months weather can really be hit or miss. You'll likely be dealing with mosquitoes as well, but they're a small nuisance compared to all this majesty! Fall foliage starts early in Denali, usually towards the end of August when the tundra turns a brilliant golden rose color. When is the best time to visit the National Parks of the US and Canada? The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Denali National Park. Roughly 400,000 intrepid travelers journey to Denali National Park and Preserve each year, primarily between late May and early September. The best time of year to visit Alaska's Denali National Park is the summer months, from May to September. These months see the most precipitation with 1 to 2 days of precipitation per month. Most people visit in the summer only, when lodges and tours are operating, and that's generally early June through mid-September. March and April can be cold and wet in Denali. While the main summer season at Denali is generally May 20 through the second or third week of September, there can be plenty to see and do outside of that season. Fairbanks is one of the most remote places in the USA. Denali Month by Month: What to Expect When in Alaska. June, July and August are the most popular months (with hotel prices reflecting that). Best Times to Travel› the United States › Denali National Park, AK, US, Tourism graph is based on Google searches for services used by tourists relative to the rest of the year. OUR SAFETY PROMISE & FLEXIBLE CANCELATION POLICY, Denali Month by Month: What to Expect When in Alaska. Nordic skiing, winter biking and snowshoeing are optional activities but temperatures can drop below -40 degrees F. Denali National Park sits in the heart of the jaw-dropping Alaska Range, and can range from a frozen winter wonderland to the perfect summer getaway. May to September are the best months to visit Denali National Park as the months will be having candy cold and amiable temperature. A 92-mile road that parallels the Alaska Range that is absolutely breath taking. I would not try to plan a trip in the summer around the weather. Because days are shorter, you've got a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights in late August. By mid-August, the seemingly-endless days start to give way to glorious evenings that are celebrated for their crispness and their clearness. This park’s two sections—the Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District—lie in the Sonoran Desert to the… The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early January. The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Denali National Park. It seems that the entire landscape turns from brown to green in only a few days at the beginning of June. Denali National Park has some very humid months, and slightly dry months in the opposite season. Best Time to Visit Denali National Park July (summer): July is the warmest months with temperatures climbing to 70°F (21°C) and still a lot of daylight (18-19 hours). On average, it rains or snows a insignificant amount: consistently 0 times per month. BEST TIME TO VISIT DENALI PARK. Through this program, we will ensure that everyone feels safe at our experiences so that the power of our places can shine through. Tourism data for this area is extrapolated based on nearby areas. It rains or snows a barely noticeable amount: 0 to 1 days per month. McKinley) and to view wildlife. July is still peak season and it’s still the height of summer in the state. Tour includes scenic bus and rail travel between Anchorage and Denali and a day inside Denali National Park. The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots. All wind speeds are in knots. June is also the month that lodges in and around Denali, including Denali Backcountry Lodge and Denali Cabins open for the summer. Winter – mid September to mid May - Denali is virtually closed to visitors and travelers. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month. Most climbs take place from late-April to early-September, with the busiest time on Denali falling between late-May and early-June. Our cancelation policy is more flexible than ever allowing you to cancel your trip up to 3 days before it begins. May, surprisingly, is the driest month for this area. For example, on the week of January 1st there are no days of precipitation on average. This advisory was last updated on Sep 23, 2019. May’s average wind speed of around 2 knots (2.3 MPH or 3.7 KPH) is considered “light air.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early December where average top sustained speeds reach 9.5 knots, which is considered a gentle breeze. Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. May, ... Denali in June. Then, the annual Parks Service Road Lottery in mid-September allows some lucky folks to drive the Denali Park Road right before winter rolls in. based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Some say June has the clearest weather. The average high during this season is between 15.9°F (-8.9°C) and -0.4°F (-18°C). The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Denali National Park (in). Denali National Park Weather averages for holidays in 2021/2022. Visit a less famous park, like Wrangell St. Elias. Travel 226 Miles to Homer, AK on the Kenai Peninsula — If you didn’t learn on your first day, Alaska = … Day tours (like Denali Backcountry Adventure) and shuttles on the Denali Park Road wrap up their seasons mid-September. That helps usher out mosquitoes, which will have disappeared from most areas of the park by August (except wetlands). Unlike the entrance area, views of Denali herself are visible from the road; wildlife are often spotted hunting and foraging in miles of open tundra; crowds are definitely fewer. Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel very cold. Best National Parks To See The Northern Lights There is slightly more precipitation than in June, but no need to worry about long periods of rain. var Latitude=63.639629;var Longitude=-150.811478;var rootSlug='denali-national-park-ak-us';var PlaceName='Denali National Park';var today = new Date();var dd = String(today.getDate()+2).padStart(2, '0');var mm = String(today.getMonth() + 1).padStart(2, '0');var yyyy = today.getFullYear();today= yyyy + '-' + mm + '-' + dd; The best times to visit Denali National Park for ideal weather are. Even during the summer, the weather in the mountains can be wildly unpredictable, with a narrow window of stable conditions to dictate when a summit push can happen. July is the peak month in terms of visitation. Pursuit's Safety Promise is our commitment to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. Rain is extremely rare with 0 to 1 days of significant precipitation per month. If you’re looking to explore the national parks and to go hiking then this is the best time to visit Alaska. You can visit the park during the winter, but the main road is closed, and only experienced outdoorsmen should set foot in Denali after the first snowflake falls. The small city is found in the wild interior of the state, and… The landscape turns brown, once again, before being covered in a blanket of white. Denali in March, April and May. The drive through Denali offers a wide variety of views, not only of Mount Denali which on a clear day is a spectacular sight that you won’t want to miss but also of other iconic peaks in the Alaskan range. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. Summer period is the only period to visit Denali. Late spring is short but sweet in Denali. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night. Max Day Temperature: 22 - 30°C [ remove] Hours of Sunshine: 10 hours or more [ remove] The best time to go to Denali National Park is May. We inspire travelers and each other. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. When can you find snow in Denali National Park? See the Big 5. Wildflowers begin to bloom in June and can be seen through July. The park visitation is low and the majority of services are still open. In the course of 12 months, it takes an extreme ride through the seasons. Wildlife are busy in July roaming, exploring, feeding, playing and soaking up the warmth as well. Additionally, Denali is also the best national park to see the Northern Lights in the U.S. A huge perk of visiting Denali National Park in winter are periodic Aurora Borealis sightings, so make sure to look up at night. The Highlights of a Visit In late May/early June, there will still be snow in a lot … Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming Mount McKinley National Park was created on February 26, 1917, and efforts to rename it continued for 100 years. Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. Denali National Park is open year-round. Tour Overview. The high tourist season, which runs from June to August, is when most attractions and parks open up to the public. 0. The middle-year months have comfortably cool weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. Take a boat into Prince William Sound for the day or flightsee Prince William Sound . Insider tips, inspiration and deals — delivered straight to your inbox. We never stop searching for the places we're passionate about, connections we value and moments that bring us joy. Dall … Crowds are relative in Denali—once you're here you'll never feel 'crowded'! By continuing to browse our site you are agreeing to our. Lodges, outfitters, shuttle buses and campgrounds are all closed. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 45th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. Fall daily highs range from 59.7°F (15.4°C) and 9.4°F (-12.6°C), which will feel very chilly given the humidity and wind. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Denali National Park, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported. See average monthly temperatures below. True, you may end up paying more to access unspoiled wilderness, and you won't be able to say you saw America's tallest peak and most famous park, but you will have an equally worthy Alaska wilderness experience. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid to late August with an average of 1 days of significant precipitation the week of August 20th. In terms of rainfall, July is usually the wettest month in Denali National Park with 75mm on average. Denali in July. The park begins to wrap things up. Long days bring up to 20 hours of sunlight during June in Denali. In 1980, along with legislation to expand the park, it was renamed to Denali National Park and Preserve, but the mountain remained Mount McKinley. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person. Weather stations report no annual snow. Regardless of the month, the key to your visit to Denali is getting organized ahead of time. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH. Activities, lodges and tours are usually booked solid so be sure to plan well ahead if you're hoping to come in July. Our website uses cookies. December and February are the better months. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. In many ways, the end of summer is the best time to visit central Alaska and Denali National Park. There are several weeks of relative quiet, reduced hotel prices, and easy reservations at the end of the season, a wonderful time to go to Denali. People visit Denali National Park for two main reasons: to see Denali (Mt. There will be also some classy rainfall for you to have the best experience touring the park. This time period sees an average precipitation of 62.44 mm. The warmest weather wanes in August—it's been known to snow in August and evenings are chilly. The Busiest and Least Crowded Months. However, these cities have more human light pollution, so look for darker, natural areas outside of more populated areas for the best viewing experience. Mosquitoes are usually present in Denali from June through the end of July. However, just because you’re likely to get the best weather during the summer, doesn’t mean it’s the only time to visit this great state. The Best Time to Visit Alaska for the Snow The weather is also milder at this time. Snow on peaks and vivid colors make for outstanding photos and shorter days lead to great chances for seeing the Northern Lights. The peak season, starting early to mid June and running through mid August, is the period that offers the most tour options, the best weather and the best wildlife viewing opportunities. If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Denali National Park are February, March, and then April. Depending on conditions, private vehicles can go as far as Mile 30. Plowing begins on the Denali Park Road in mid-March, usually. Average temperatures in Denali National Park vary an incredible amount. Denali is the highest mountain peak in North America. As soon as Labor Day comes, Denali becomes quieter. Most Denali National Park visitors make plans for seeing the area via the 92-mile Park Road, usually because they read they should, and yes, driving to the shores of Wonder Lake is an experience that screams "Alaska." Wildlife move into hibernation or low-activity modes, and some migrate to warmer climates. The Best Time To Visit Denali National Park. From fresh salmon to clear skies, late summer is the best. Wind in Denali National Park is usually extremely calm. The best time to visit is when you can really enjoy the park in many different ways: take several hikes, attend interpretive programs, sit still and listen. The weather and climate of Denali National Park is suitable for a winter sports. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. Summer months offer the best chances to see wildlife, the most moderate weather and the easiest time to visit since that's when services and activities are all operating. Denali in August. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for most of the year with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. The least humid month is May (34.2% relative humidity), and the most humid month is November (72.6%). Denali National Park offers visitors the chance to see native Alaskan wildlife and view Mount McKinley. The windiest month is May, followed by July and June. The regular shuttles into the park, as well as the day tours like Denali Backcountry Adventure, also begin mid-June. Caribou / Reindeer. You might think the answer would be one of the summer months. As for snow, it can and has snowed every month of the year. If you have an Alaskan bucket list - such as wildlife viewing in Denali National Park or witnessing the salmon runs - this is the best time to visit Alaska. There is only one road in the park. Best time to visit Denali National Park, Alaska. The landscape in August is chocked with berries, providing a feast for wildlife like bears. The warmest time of year is generally early July where highs are regularly around 72°F (22.2°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 52.9°F (11.6°C) at night. There are normally 16 days in July with some rain. The best time to visit Denali National Park are the months of May and September. As spring arrives, winter slowly lets go of its grip on the park! Visiting Denali National Park is a top highlight of any Alaska vacation! The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Read below for more weather and travel details. Denali National Park is open year-round, however the road to access the park and visitor facilities are only open between mid-May and mid-September. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Denali National Park, the hottest months are July, June, and then August. 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