You are here

Home » 2016 Denali Road Lottery Entry Period Set To End May 31

2016 Denali Road Lottery Entry Period Set To End May 31

Share

Published Date

May 25, 2016
Denali Park Road, Denali National Park and Preserve/NPS

Next Tuesday is your last day to apply for a permit for this year's Denali Park Road Lottery/NPS, Kent Mill

If you're hoping to snag a permit to drive the Denali Park Road in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska come September, time is running out to get your application in for the annual Road Lottery.

The public lottery entry period has been open since May 1 online at recreation.gov and will end at 11:29 pm, May 31 (Alaska time). Entries are also accepted by phone at (877) 444-6777, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Alaska time) through May 31.  Entries are no longer accepted by regular mail.

Public Road Lottery days are Sept. 16, 18, 19 and 20 (Friday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday).

Saturday, Sept. 17, is Military Appreciation Day, dedicated to active duty service members and their families stationed in Alaska. The permits will be distributed to military personnel through their internal channels. 

Both the Road Lottery and Military Appreciation Day offer visitors an unique way to experience the park, the opportunity to travel in their private vehicles along the 92-mile Denali Park Road. During the summer season, private vehicles are only permitted along the first 13 miles of the road; visitors who wish to explore the park’s backcountry board one of the park’s shuttle buses to traverse miles 13 to 92.  

On public Road Lottery days, 400 permit-holders may use their day-specific permits, obtained through the lottery system, to travel the Denali Park Road in their personal vehicles.

A non-refundable $10 entry fee will be charged to a credit or debit card during the online or phone application process. Permit winners will be charged a $25 Road Lottery fee to the same card at the time of the drawing in June. The $25 fee will not be refunded if the park road does not open on the day of the permit due to weather or road conditions.

Entrants will be notified of their status regardless of the results. Entrants whose names are drawn will be notified by June 18. Each permit winner will receive an email confirming the day of the permit, as well as information about how to obtain the road permit and prepare for a successful visit to the park.

Every permit holder must pay the park entrance fee ($10 per person age 16 or older) on the day of the permit unless the permit holder, or one of the permit-holder’s vehicle passengers, has a Denali Annual Pass or a federal recreation pass. Information about the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass (Annual, Senior, Access or Volunteer), or U.S. Military Annual Pass, is available at this site. Federal recreation passes may also be purchased, or the one-time entrance fee paid, when collecting your permit at the Denali Park Visitor Center.

Military personnel who wish to participate in Military Appreciation Day are encouraged to visit the park’s website and scroll to the Frequently Asked Questions section at the bottom of the Road Lottery page. Park and military leadership will work in partnership to distribute the 400 passes for Military Appreciation Day.

Oversized vehicles are restricted on certain portions of the Denali Park Road. More information about specific size limits is available on the park’s website in the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.

The possibility of inclement weather is always a factor. In the past the park road has only been partially open for Road Lottery because of snow. Lottery participants are encouraged to contact the park via the website or by phone at 907-683-9532 for updated road and weather information the day before or the morning of their permit.

The Riley Creek, Savage River and Teklanika River campgrounds will be open through Road Lottery weekend, weather permitting. Campsites are not included in the road permit, but can be reserved in advance via reservedenali.com or 800- 622-7275.

Information about campgrounds and accommodations outside the park is available from the Denali Chamber of Commerce at denalichamber.com or 907- 683-4636.

Road Lottery information is available on the park’s website or by calling park headquarters at 907- 683-9532, 9 am -4:00 pm daily.

Related Stories:

Alaskan House Passes Resolution Urging Trump To Keep Denali's Name
President Trump Orders That Denali Be Renamed Mount McKinley
President-Elect Trump Vows To Change Mount Denali's Name Back To Mount McKinley

Stories about:

Story Categories:

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

Your support helps the National Parks Traveler increase awareness of the wonders and issues confronting national parks and protected areas.

Support Our Mission

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.