Denali National Park and Preserve

Congress created this park in 1917; at the time, the purpose was to protect Dall sheep from over-hunting. The park’s size and purpose grew over time. The park is now around 6 million acres, and much of the park must remain devoid of human development. This means that the only trails in the park are near the park road, and mainly near the park entrance. However, Denali offers visitors a rare opportunity to hike off trail in a wild landscape.