Talkeetna, Alaska is a small, rustic town about 2 hours north of Anchorage by car, bus, or rail.
The town is best known as the gateway to Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park.
Denali National Park is the size of the entire state of Massachusetts and is the second largest national park in the United States (next to Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park). Guides, rental equipment, and bus tours of the park are all available in Talkeetna.
This town is the take-off point for those attempting to climb the massive 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley, know in these parts as Denali.
The Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge offers the best lodging in town. Located on a ridge, the lodge has incredible views of Denali and the breathtaking surrounding countryside.
Rooms in the lodge have stunning views of Denali, and the resort is within walking distance of the town. A free hotel shuttle is also available to locations throughout town.
The lodge restaurant also has great food, with an award-winning chef, and the dining room has incredible views of the mountain.
The town is known for its great river fishing, and both trout and 5 varieties of salmon are plentiful here in the summer months.
In addition to the great fishing, rafting, hiking, and sightseeing tours are available through companies in town.
Flightseeing of Mt. McKinley-Denali is also available here, offering by fat the most amazing views of this enormous, majestic mountain and its vast surrounding glaciers.
Without a doubt, nature is the star here. Everything about this area is stunningly beautiful, from the rivers to the mountains and everything in between.
If you are touring the interior of Alaska, either in association with an Alaskan cruise or independently, Talkeetna is a great little town to visit if you are looking to spend some time in an unbelievably pristine and breathtaking wilderness area.
