Accommodations at Denali

[EMED2010]

Planning a two night stay at Denali. Will leave Anchorage and drive up, stay over and go on the Denali Shuttle the next day. I like McKinley cabins but they are 13 miles south of the park and I want to be on the first shuttle. The other two choices are Denali Salmon Bake Cabins and Denali Crows Nest Cabins which are much closer meaning we would not have to get up so early. Both have so-so ratings on Trip Advisor. Does anyone have any experiences with any of these? Should I sacrifice the comfort for closeness?

Thanks!!

[Chenega]

Planning a two night stay at Denali. Will leave Anchorage and drive up, stay over and go on the Denali Shuttle the next day. I like McKinley cabins but they are 13 miles south of the park and I want to be on the first shuttle. The other two choices are Denali Salmon Bake Cabins and Denali Crows Nest Cabins which are much closer meaning we would not have to get up so early. Both have so-so ratings on Trip Advisor. Does anyone have any experiences with any of these? Should I sacrifice the comfort for closeness?

Thanks!!

 

Of the two, I think Denali Crows Nest is the better choice although they are way overpriced for what you get. Denali Salmon Bake cabins are closer to the action but they never impressed my wife and I. Don't know how much peace and quiet you would have being so close to the Salmon Bake restaurant and other businesses in the area.

 

Since you have a car, there are several great places in the Healy area north of the park entrance although word is the road from Healy to the entrance is going to have construction this summer.

[mapleleaves]

Any reason you have to be on the first bus? Why not take a bus that allows you to follow your normal sleep pattern so you can enjoy the day instead of being tired and grumpy or falling asleep.

My earliest trip was 8:15am and the latest was 2pm. I've always had good wildlife sightings regardless of the time.

BTW, I'd say that 60% of folks sleep on the return trip, only waking up when someone calls out a wildlife sighting.

Edited January 1, 2014 by mapleleaves

[donaldsc]

Any reason you have to be on the first bus? Why not take a bus that allows you to follow your normal sleep pattern so you can enjoy the day instead of being tired and grumpy or falling asleep.

My earliest trip was 8:15am and the latest was 2pm. I've always had good wildlife sightings regardless of the time.

BTW, I'd say that 60% of folks sleep on the return trip, only waking up when someone calls out a wildlife sighting.

 

We also stayed in Healy in a cabin. It was not far to drive (baring the anticipated construction) and the price was right.

 

DON

[frugaltravel]

Planning a two night stay at Denali. Will leave Anchorage and drive up, stay over and go on the Denali Shuttle the next day. I like McKinley cabins but they are 13 miles south of the park and I want to be on the first shuttle. The other two choices are Denali Salmon Bake Cabins and Denali Crows Nest Cabins which are much closer meaning we would not have to get up so early. Both have so-so ratings on Trip Advisor. Does anyone have any experiences with any of these? Should I sacrifice the comfort for closeness?

Thanks!!

 

How much do you really need to sacrifice? It will take you 15 minutes to drive from the McKinley (Creekside?) Cabins to the WAC to park and maybe 5 minutes from the others. So it is a whopping 10 minute difference. It really is a non-issue in my mind. Plus, I love avoiding Glitter Gulch. By staying south of the park, you avoid the hubbub of Glitter Gulch.

Edited January 2, 2014 by frugaltravel

[EMED2010]

How much do you really need to sacrifice? It will take you 15 minutes to drive from the McKinley (Creekside?) Cabins to the WAC to park and maybe 5 minutes from the others. So it is a whopping 10 minute difference. It really is a non-issue in my mind. Plus, I love avoiding Glitter Gulch. By staying south of the park, you avoid the hubbub of Glitter Gulch.

 

Thanks so much! If its only a ten minute difference, then I think I'd rather stay at McKinley. The cabins look really cute and they seem to get god reviews plus I looked at their restaurant menus and they sounded interesting.

[Cat54]

Thanks so much! If its only a ten minute difference, then I think I'd rather stay at McKinley. The cabins look really cute and they seem to get god reviews plus I looked at their restaurant menus and they sounded interesting.

 

FYI.. McKinley Cabins have a AAA discount:).

[EMED2010]

FYI.. McKinley Cabins have a AAA discount:).

 

Even better! Thanks!

[olemissreb]

You may also want to check the discount books (TourSaver Alaska and Northern Lights) to see if they offer a discount. I can't remember if they did or not. We stayed at the Denali Bluffs Hotel, but wouldn't do that again unless it was just DH and I. 4 people in those small rooms is way too much especially when 2 of them are teenage boys! While you can't beat the convenience of the Glitter Gulch hotel, there is something to be said for having more room to maneuver in a cabin. I'd book a cabin next time.

[zqvol]

Planning a two night stay at Denali. Will leave Anchorage and drive up, stay over and go on the Denali Shuttle the next day. I like McKinley cabins but they are 13 miles south of the park and I want to be on the first shuttle. The other two choices are Denali Salmon Bake Cabins and Denali Crows Nest Cabins which are much closer meaning we would not have to get up so early. Both have so-so ratings on Trip Advisor. Does anyone have any experiences with any of these? Should I sacrifice the comfort for closeness?

Thanks!!

 

You are only talking about a difference of 15 - 20 minutes of sleep time. Don't let that be a deciding factor.

[frugaltravel]

You are only talking about a difference of 15 - 20 minutes of sleep time. Don't let that be a deciding factor.

 

Guess you failed to read the entire thread before posting. Otherwise you would have seen this was mentioned already :D