klm
SIOUX FALLS, SD
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Joined: 05/26/2004
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Hi,
We are leaving for Alaska, planning on a few days in Denali area. We will stay in a nearby cg, not in the park. I understand that cars aren't allowed, and that there is a bus system to see the park. OK, I've heard the term "shuttle" and "tour" to describe the bus. Is there a difference? If so, what? We hope to make reservations upon our arrival since we have a few days to work it in. Just go to Denali NP visitor center? Sound reasonable? What bus do you recommend? Approximate cost? We have never been to Alaska, hoping to take in as much as we can. Thanks, Kathy
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hwybnb
Southern California
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Joined: 05/02/2001
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There is a bus system that transports visitors inside the park. They use a fleet of ancient school-type busses. The drivers provide commentary, so I guess the trip could be called a tour but here are also some special tours. Information on all of this is on the park web site.
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greg121
TX
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Joined: 10/28/2004
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Tours are considerably pricier than shuttles. Similar type vehicles I believe and tours may have some kind of video system for zooming in on wildlife...I've got mixed feelings on that...if I wanted to see a bear on TV why wouldn't I rent a video....on the other hand it might be nice to get a closeup of what you're looking at better than my bino's can provide. Anyway, narration is not mandatory on shuttles but some drivers are really good. After getting one that didn't narrate we got off and got on another shuttle that had a good driver. Just for something to do on the way back I looked at how many oncoming buses had drivers with the headset on (presumably providing narration) as I recall the odds are real good (on the order of 90+%)but as I said you can always get off and get on another.
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HarryWM
Wherever we are parked this time.
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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We were there last summer and stayed at Teklaneeka campground, the farthest into the park of all the campgrounds. Nobody can drive a private vehicle past that campground and the only people who can drive even that far are the campers staying at Tek. The buses, while sort of school bus style, but with better seats, were not old. If you stay at Tek you can take the shuttle as often as you want (but not towards the park entrance) for a one time charge paid at visitor center. Those are the green (I believe)colored buses. You can also take a tour, pretty much same type bus but (tan) with a naturalist (or some such) narrating and I think they provide lunch for a much steeper price. Every shuttle driver we had did an excellent job of narrating and an advantage to the shuttle is you can get on and off the bus.
Harry
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dav5942
Stuart, FL
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Joined: 05/24/2004
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In addition to the above the "tour" busses do not go as far into Denali as the "shuttle/school busses". Take the ten hour school bus ride, earliest one in morning for the most animals(you can also get off the bus and hike if you like and catch another bus for your return-no extra charge). Stay in the park if you can-great sites(however no elctric/sewer) lots of animals. WIFi is available at the Subway in town.
Denali campground includes fireplace and picnic table:
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leaddog
All over the USA
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Joined: 07/11/2003
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We took the longer tour to Wonder Lake in mid July and if were to take the trip again, we would take the shorter trip. It was a long and tiring ride and the extra 3-4 hours didn't afford us the opportunity to see much more except for some beavers.
We were surprised by how few animals we saw on the tour. I don't know what we were expecting, but I would guess we saw fewer than 20 animals. Still a great trip due to the scenery. Pack a lunch and take water with you.
We had to wait a few days since the tours were full and we had to get on the list. I would imagine with the high fuel costs there will be fewer RVers there this year, but you never know. Call and make your reservations a couple days ahead of when you plan to be there.
* This post was
edited 05/09/08 03:29pm by leaddog *
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bee_46
Jarrettsville, Md
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Joined: 02/03/2005
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We did the park shuttle bus to Wonder Lake in 2005. The cost for the 11 hour trip was 1/3 the cost of the 8 hour tour bus trip (especially if you have a Golden Age pass for the park). We will do it again this summer. The trip did not seem that long as we had a wonderful driver who stopped for every animal anyone spotted. We saw numerous bears, wolf, birds, sheep, caribou, moose and fox just to name a few. We did pack a lunch and snacks. Probably the worse part of the trip were the mosquitoes at Wonder Lake. We took an early morning trip so we were back by dinner time. The animals you see are definitely the "luck of the draw" and the sighting ability of the folks on the bus, but for a chance to see Denali and animals it is worth the price. I would not recommend the tours from the hotels. BTW you do not have to go all the way to Wonder Lake on the park buses. You can take shorter trips for less cost.
Bobbie
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dav5942
Stuart, FL
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Joined: 05/24/2004
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The reason we recommended the long trip is based on 20 years experience from the bus drivers recommendations and make sure it is the first trip in the morning!
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DonP
N-E-Where-USA
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Joined: 07/10/2003
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In 2005 we took the Wonder lake tour, 1st one in the AM. We saw every animal and the mountain, it was a beautiful clear day. We stayed in the park for a week, I did not want to take a chance of not seeing Denali, (it is only visable 20% of the time)after driving to Alaska. If you limit your stay there is a possibility that you will miss the spectacular sight of the mountain. I made a reservation for the wonder lake tour months ahead, the day we were supposed to go was raining and foggy. I went to the visitor's center and re-booked for 2 days later, it cost $4 per ticket to do that but it was the best $8 I ever spent.
Enjoy your trip!
Don
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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Take the longest tour, we loved it. Any time somebody saw something, bus stopped. Take binoculars.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
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Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories.
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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