This Magnificent Attraction In Alaska Is Hard To Get Into... But Worth The Wait
By Courtney|Published August 06, 2016
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Courtney
Author
Living and loving life in Alaska, Courtney enjoys living a happy life based on simple principles; work hard, be kind, stay humble. She is an avid dog lover with hobbies that include running, fly fishing, hiking & snowboarding.
Oh, Denali National Park & Preserve – you big, wild, beautiful beast of an attraction. With your 6 million acres of brilliant landscapes, epic proportions of wildlife, soft and colorful tundra, fantastic fall colors, endless hiking opportunities and some of the best camping spots in the world… There is just something magical about walking around such a phenomenally stunning piece of land following in the footsteps of those tracing back to the last Ice Age 12,000 years ago.
While most of the summer season, the 92-mile road into the park is only fully accessible via bus, those that play the Denali Road Lottery have a 1 in 6 chance of being able to drive the full length of the road. Imagine this; you can actually enjoy the full magnitude of all the breathtaking splendor that Denali has to offer, without having to be a part of a tourist crowd that gets herded on and off the bus. You can go at your own pace, in the comfort of your own car. Sound like the most amazing idea ever? We think so, too. Read on to learn more about how you can play your chance at winning the most beautiful lottery of your life.
The land of the tallest mountain in North America (Denali)... the great one! Those that are interested in applying for the Denali Road Lottery should do so generally from May 1 - May 31. The lottery drawing will take place during the month of June and the dates that you will be able to actually go in and enjoy the park will be sometime around the middle of September. This is the very best time to see all the amazing beauty that the park has to offer because it is considered "shoulder season" which is when the majority of the huge summer crowds have dissipated and the park is much more peaceful.
When you are selected (one in six chance) as a Road Lottery winner, you will be visiting Denali during one of the most beautiful times of year. The soft tundra is booming with color as the season changes from summer to fall. It literally looks as though the whole land is painted red. The colors are brilliant and enchanting - and they will likely leave you wanting to put in for the lottery year after year (yes, it's THAT incredible).
You better feel comfortable behind the wheel as you make your way through Polychrome Pass. The gravel road and steep drop-offs will have your heart beating fast with goosebumps lining both of your arms from hand to shoulder. As you make the drive, be sure that you have someone aboard that is CPR certified because you will likely have your breath taken away.
If you're the type that likes to get your body movin' and grovin', make sure you get an early start so that you have plenty of time to park the car and enjoy a good hike. You will feel like a tiny little speck in a land of 6 million acres. The feeling of being lost in paradise will make you grin from ear to ear. Why? Because there is simply nothing else like it in the world. It's a magical once-in-a-lifetime type of place that leaves memories that will make your heart smile and your soul dance.
One of the coolest and most fascinating things about Denali National Park is the amount of wildlife that visitors are able to see. Feast your eyes on huge grizzly bears, caribou, moose, dall sheep, wolves and so much more!
One last thing; Denali National Park is an excellent place to kick back and enjoy the dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis. And with the road lottery being in mid-September, you'll likely have a pretty good shot at being able to see this epic magic in person!
