Denali National Park and Preserve Seeks Feedback on Kantishna and Wonder Lake Planning Effort

DENALI PARK—The National Park Service is exploring ways to provide and support additional recreational use in the Kantishna and Wonder Lake areas of Denali National Park. A range of proposals covering infrastructure, management, visitor experience, guided experiences, and visitor capacity are described in the Kantishna and Wonder Lake Area Plan: Range of Proposals for Public Feedback. Additional information about the planning effort and a copy of this document can be found online at https://www.nps.gov/dena/getinvolved/kantishna-plan.htm.

Members of the public are invited to share their thoughts and comments on proposals for the Wonder Lake and Kantishna areas at upcoming outreach events or in writing. Written comments may be mailed to the park or submitted online through the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/kantishnaplan. Comments will be accepted through Sept 17, 2019. The mailing address for comments is:

Denali Park Planning
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755

Public information meetings regarding the Kantishna and Wonder Lake areas planning proposals will be held at the following locations:

Wonder Lake
Wonder Lake Ranger Station
August 21, 2019, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Open House 

Denali National Park  
Murie Science and Learning Center
August 22, 2019, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.                   
Presentation at 6 p.m.               

Updates regarding any additional public meetings or related announcements can be found at https://www.nps.gov/dena/getinvolved/kantishna-plan.htm. 

In combination with the public feedback, park staff intend to complete an operating cost analysis, visitor capacity study, and cultural and wetland studies to shape alternatives for a future compliance document.  

The Wonder Lake and Kantishna areas encompass the last 8 miles of the single 92 mile Park Road, a historic mining area, access to Denali’s designated wilderness, and some of the most well-known views of Denali and the Alaska Range.

Visitors can learn more about how to access the Wonder Lake and Kantishna areas by camper, transit, or tour bus at https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/visiting-denali.htm. Those interested in staying overnight in the area can reserve space at the Wonder Lake Campground (reservedenali.com) or plan a stay in Backcountry Unit 15, 36, 41, 42, or 43 (https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm). No food or beverage services exist along the park road, so visitors should supply their own. 

For more information about visiting Wonder Lake and Kantishna, visit the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/wonder-lake-area.htm or call the park’s information line at 907-683-9532. 

For more information about the Kantishna and Wonder Lake Area Plan, please visit the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/dena/getinvolved/kantishna-plan.htm or contact Emily Buhr, Outdoor Recreation Planner, at 907-683-6242 or dena_planning@nps.gov.