As a travel writer, people often ask, ‘What’s your favorite place?’ I always have the same answer – Alaska, where the wilderness is vast, the wildlife is abundant, and the seafood is fresh. I visit as often as I can.
Last summer, I was lucky enough to take a nine-day Alaska vacation with my brother. Our trip included whale watching in Kenai Fjords National Park, flightseeing in Talkeetna, and a day at the Nordic Spa at Alyeska Resort. As incredible as those activities were, we both agree the highlight of our trip was a bus ride through Denali National Park and Preserve. The tour sells out every year, and reservations for 2026 are open now. Here’s what you need to know.
What to expect on The Tundra Wilderness Tour
The overlook on one of the bathroom breaks on the Tundra Wilderness Tour
(Tamara Gane)
The Tundra Wilderness Tour is a narrated bus tour traveling 43 miles on Denali National Park & Preserve’s solitary road. Since personal vehicles are only permitted as far as mile 15, the bus tour offers a unique chance to view wildlife and scenery deep into the park.
The trip usually takes 5-5.5 hours, including several stops for bathroom breaks. Bottled water and snack packs are provided for each passenger. Our guide, a certified naturalist, offered unique insights into the park’s history, geology, and ecosystem.
At the beginning of the journey, the guide told us to shout, “Stop!” if we spotted wildlife, and we were lucky enough to give her that command close to twenty times.
Wildlife and Scenery on The Tundra Wilderness Tour
Grizzly bear and its cub in the wild, looking sideways, at Denali National Park, Alaska
(karthikveeramani via Getty Images)
We boarded the bus with high hopes of seeing Alaska’s “Big 5,” bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves. Brown bear, or grizzlies, were high on my list, and we were fortunate enough to see five: a mom with two cubs and two solo brown bears.
The bus came to a halt when it approached wildlife, so everyone on board had a chance to watch and take pictures. The vehicle’s exterior was equipped with cameras and onboard monitors that provided close-up images of the bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and smaller animals we passed along the way.
At 6140 meters, Mt Denali or Mt Kinley, is North America’s highest peak
(Cagan Hakki Sekercioglu via Getty Images)
We didn’t see wolves, said to be the most elusive of the Big 5, but this just gives us an excuse to come back again.
The tour also showcases the spectacular landscapes of the Alaskan wilderness. As the bus travels along the Park Road, the scenery transitions from forested taiga to the expansive, treeless alpine tundra. We passed by soaring mountain peaks, sweeping valleys, and braided rivers, and a lookout with views of Mount Denali, North America’s tallest peak.
How to reserve the Tundra Wilderness Tour
Scenic view of a house at Savage river in Denali national park at fall during sunset
(GummyBone via Getty Images)
2026 Tundra Wilderness Tours will operate from May 20th to September 17h. Departure times vary throughout the day. The tour includes a snack and bottled water. Adult tickets include entrance to Denali National Park. If you already have an annual or lifetime pass, you’re entitled to a refund of that portion of the fee.
Adult tickets are $144.75, and children 15 and younger are $65. Reservations for 2026 are now open. The tour sells out quickly, so make your reservation as soon as you can. Click here for reservation information.
Where to stay at Denali National Park
Denali National Park, Alaska: Entrance of the Park with a sign in the front and a road in the back.
(mixmotive via Getty Images)
Most Denali National Park lodging is located outside the park’s entrance. We enjoyed our stay at Denali Cabins, which offered a convenient shuttle service to and from the Alaska Railroad Depot, the Denali Park Visitor Center, and the shops and restaurants at the boardwalk.
Our cedar cabin was nestled snug amid the trees, and we loved the convenience of the on-site restaurant, coffee shop, and gift shop. There was even a wood-fired Alaska Barrel sauna steps away from our cabin door. We’ll definitely be returning to Denali National Park, and when we do, we plan to book another stay at Denali Cabins.