We are staying at the McKinley Lodge complex just outside the National Park. Behind our lodge, the Namena River flows - We would sit down by river and watch the groups of rafters come by.

Strong current and cold water!!!!
Denali National Park and Preserve - over 6,000,000+ acres of forest at low elevation, with tundra at middle elevations and glaciers, snow and rock at the higher elevation with Mount McKinley k/n/a Mount Denali the highest mountain peak in North America. Our day was clear as a bell, and were offered a great view of Mount Denali about 15 miles away (wish I had a zoom lens).

  To keep animals and humans safe, tourists to the park ride in a bus (like a school bus) for an approximate 60 mile journey into the park. One can drive in the park only to Savage River (15 miles inside park). For those who want to hike or camp, there are separate buses to take them to their destinations in park and bring them back.

The landscape is breathtaking, but most tourists  are mainly looking for the grizzly bears, moose, caribou, foxes, etc. For those who have been through national parks before, you know it is not a given that you will see these wild animals.

  The drive over the Polychrome Pass gives great views of the area. Our driver, Ken, was very knowledgeable and loaded us with tons of info!!!

This is one of the highlights of our trip. Skip and I love going to our national parks - THEY ARE OUR TREASURES AND SHOULD BE KEPT SAFE AND PROTECTED!!!