When visiting Denali National Park in Alaska, you will find that most Denali lodging options are concentrated in two areas: near the park entrance and in the remote center of the park in an area known as Kantishna. Most visitors choose one of the many Denali hotels near the park entrance, as these Denali lodges offer convenience, affordability, and easy access to many national park activities and excursions.

Located only one mile from the entrance to Denali National Park, you'll find the recently remodeled McKinley Chalet Resort (pictured) overlooking the Nanana River. This resort's large 42-acre property offers many room types, from a comfortable double room in the spruce forest to a luxurious two-bedroom mini suite overlooking the glacier-fed river. Each room offers comfortable guest amenities, including a television, a hair dryer, and an alarm clock. The buildings are constructed in a Swiss-chalet style and connected by boardwalks nestled among the spruce trees. Guests can take advantage of two full-service restaurants within the resort, a nightly dinner theater production on-site, and a complimentary shuttle to the Denali Visitors Center.

One of the most popular Denali lodges is surprisingly managed by a company better known for Alaska cruises. However, once you see the 50-foot mural of Mount McKinley, grand staircase and 65-foot fireplace, it is easy to understand how the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is one of the most highly recommended Denali hotels. It is located only a single mile from the entrance to the national park and offers guests a shuttle there for a small fee. A spacious deck with outdoor hot tubs overlooks the Nanana River and Denali Park. Guests can choose from four dining options as well as a dinner theater, and guest rooms are comfortably furnished. Perhaps the best amenity at the Princess Wilderness Lodge is the tour desk where Princess professionals are ready to assist guests with any river-rafting, horseback-riding, seaplane, or rail tour available. This also includes exclusive Princess Rail Tours using Ultradome cars.

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If the seclusion of the wilderness better suits your taste, you might prefer Denali lodging in Kantishna, Alaska. Located in center of Denali Park, the rugged landscape of Kantishna can only be reached by a six-hour drive down Denali Park Road, 90 miles of mostly unpaved twists and turns. However, the payoff is well worth the trip. In addition to celebrating the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, Denali lodges in Kantishna are all-inclusive, offering transportation, accommodations, meals, and activities.

Adventure travelers will love Camp Denali Lodge and North Face Lodge, two Denali hotels owned and operated by the same family and located only a mile apart. Camp Denali offers a rustic, homestead-style Denali cabins while North Face Lodge has a more laid-back country inn atmosphere, both offering views of nearby Mount McKinley. Guest amenities are also rustic; neither resort offers televisions or room service. Instead, these lodges specialize in educational and adventure excursions for outdoor enthusiasts, such as hiking with a local naturalist.

The focus of the Kantishna Roadhouse, located on Moose Creek, is on its important role in Alaska's history. The central roadhouse dates back to the early twentieth century when it served the people of Kantishna as a post office, community center, and inn. Nowadays, the log cabins and expansive green lands of the Roadhouse are proudly staffed by native Alaskans and celebrate its heritage by offering historically educational activities, such as a collection of Denali mining memorabilia. The arranged activities, including hiking, biking, panning for gold, and wildlife viewing, make this Denali lodging option popular with outdoor enthusiasts, while the relaxed atmosphere draws the less-active traveler.