The name "Denali" means "The Great One" in the native Athabascan language. At 20,320 feet above sea level, Denali is the highest peak in North America and is surrounded by one of the world's most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries. Denali National Park is home to many types of wildlife including caribou, moose, wolves, Dall sheep, bold eagles, and the mighty grizzly bears.
Denali National Park and preserve was established in 1917 as Mount McKinley National Park. It was designated a park and preserve and renamed Denali in 1980. We stayed 2 nights at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, Mile 238.5 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park.
We arrived outside the Denali National Park to stay two nights at The Denali Princess Lodge. Since it was dinner time we first went to get some Salmon and ate at the Baked Salmon Restaurant. After dinner, we took a tour of the Lodge. The lodge covered a big area and the views of the Nevana River were outstanding. We read a sign on the door which warned people that a bear had been sighted on the property. That evening we attended the Dinner and Music Theatre.
The next morning we were escorted by bus to tour Denali National Park.
Since we were not required to board the train to Fairbanks till 3:00 pm in the afternoon, we decided to take a bus back to the Park and see the Dog Mushing demonstration. It was overcast and raining, our first and only rain we incurred during our total trip.
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