Talkeetna to Denali

Depot Locations

Talkeetna Depot
Mile 13.5 Talkeetna Spur Rd
Talkeetna, AK 99676

Denali Park Train Depot
310 Railroad Depot Road
Denali Park, AK 99755

Route Details

Schedule:
11:20 AM – 3:40 PM
(~4 hours, 20 minutes)

Distance:
 121 miles

Rates & Services

all Rates

Alaska Railroad Talkeetna to Denali National Park

The train depot in Talkeetna is close to the small downtown area and airport at mile 13.5 on the Talkeetna Spur Road, which connects this small community with the Parks Highway. Many larger hotels like the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, and even the McKinley Princess Lodge located 45 minutes to the north, offer complimentary shuttle service to the depot, so check your hotel for transfer options. Try to be at the depot an hour in advance to check in for your northbound train to Denali Park. Keep an extra layer handy as you’ll be waiting outside to board. 

As you depart the Talkeetna depot, you’ll pass along downtown Talkeetna, and shortly after cross over the Talkeetna River near the broad, silty confluence of the Talkeetna, Susitna, and Chulitna rivers. Much of the next 40 miles will be spent hugging the eastern edge of the Susitna River, and several good Denali photo opportunities are available if the weather cooperates.

About 25 miles north of Talkeetna you’ll pass Curry. There’s not much there now, but from 1920 to 1957 this was the location of the largest and most luxurious hotel in Alaska. It is midway between Seward and Fairbanks, and guests originally overnighted here on their three-day journey north. You are also now following the eastern boundary of Denali State Park, a 325,000-acre park that shares its western boundary with its big sister, the six-million-plus acre Denali National Park.

As your journey continues, you’ll cross Susitna River once more before leaving it behind. The bridge over the river was built in 1921 and spans 504 feet. Just about 20 miles to the north, you’ll cross Hurricane Gulch on a bridge built in the same year that spans 914 feet, making it the longest bridge on the railroad. Just prior to reaching Hurricane Gulch are some of your last chances for a great shot of Denali, now less than 50 miles away as the raven flies. You are now over halfway from Talkeetna to Denali Park, and in another 20 miles or so you’ll travel through Broad Pass at 2300 feet, the lowest pass of the Alaska Range.

You may be wondering since there’s just one set of train tracks on most of your trip, how does the southbound train from Fairbanks pass by? Well, if everything is running on schedule, one of the trains will typically pull onto a siding near Broad Pass, and the other will roll on by. It is customary for passengers to give the other train a “moose antler” wave as you go by, but you’ll learn more about that onboard. As you pass Summit Lake, you top off at 2,363 feet, the highest point on the Alaska Railroad.

As you depart Broad Pass, you’ll travel past the small community of Cantwell. You are now less than 30 miles from the Denali National Park railroad station. Much of this time, you will travel along the border of Denali National Park along the Nenana River. Whitewater rafting and scenic floats on the Nenana River are among the most popular activities outside of Denali Park. As you get close to the park, you’ll cross into the border of Denali National Park. This point is just about seven road miles from the park entrance, and home to the Lodge at Denali Park Village, as well as a handful of other small resorts and hotels. 

As you pull into the Denali Park station, you’ll see lines of buses waiting to take guests to their respective hotels. Nearly all major hotels in Denali provide transfers, some for a fee. In fact, you can tag your bags with the Alaska Railroad in Anchorage, Talkeetna, or Fairbanks to be delivered directly to most major Denali hotels.

Hopefully you have at least two nights in Denali Park, there’s so much to do. Denali National Park is unique in that there’s only one road into the park, and it’s not open to private vehicles, so absolutely plan on taking a guided bus tour down the Park Road. Beyond that, many of the most popular activities include rafting, flightseeing, hiking, sled dog kennel tours, and ATV tours. Read more about Denali National Park and if you need help booking hotels, tours or activities, we can help!

Next Stop: Fairbanks Route Guide