Denali Borough

Denali is a large protected area in Alaska covering about 6 million acres, making it one of the biggest in the United States. It contains North America's highest peak and stretches across tundra plains, forests, rivers, and mountain ridges.

The area became a national park in 1917 after Charles Alexander Sheldon advocated for its protection. In 1980 it was expanded and given back its original Denali name.

The name Denali comes from the Koyukon Athabascan people, who called the mountain by their word meaning 'the tall one'. Indigenous communities still live in and around the area, and their relationship with the land remains visible in the stories shared with visitors.

Most visitors enter through a single road that winds through the region, with access restricted to certain vehicles during warmer months. It helps to prepare for rough conditions and be ready for a long journey.

The region runs sled dog kennels that have operated for about a century, where rangers train dog teams for winter use. Visitors can watch these dogs and learn about this long-standing form of winter transport.

Location: Alaska

Inception: 1990

Capital city: Healy

Part of: organized borough

Shares border with: Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Website: http://denaliborough.com

GPS coordinates: 63.78889,-150.19167

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:06