Denali National Park officials are reminding Alaskans that the deadline for entering the popular Denali road lottery is fast approaching.
Applications via snail mail are no longer being accepted but online applications continue to be accepted through 11:29 p.m. Tuesday (May 31) at recreation.gov. Or call 1-877-444-6777, 6 a.m.– 8 p.m. Alaska time.
Successful applicants can drive the 92-mile road from the park entrance to Wonder Lake on Sept. 16, 18, 19, 20 (Friday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday). Sept. 17 is Military Appreciation Day, dedicated to active-duty service members and their families stationed in Alaska.
Four hundred permits a day are handed out.
Most of the summer, private vehicles are allowed on just the first 13 miles of the road.
Oversized vehicles are restricted on certain portions of the Denali Park Road. Check the park website in the FAQ section for details.
The possibility of inclement weather is always a factor late in the season. In some years, the park road has only been partially open for road lottery.
The Riley Creek, Savage River and Teklanika River campgrounds will be open through road lottery weekend, weather permitting. Campsites are not included in the road permit but can be reserved in advance.