Parks Hwy: Anchorage to Denali Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour

Overview

Dreaming of Denali’s towering peak or the 400-foot wall of ice at Knik Glacier? This 235-mile drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park delivers both. Enjoy Cook Inlet views from Arctic Valley Road, hike Chugach State Park to Thunderbird Falls, visit Eklutna Village Historical Park, and see the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race start at Willow Lake. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, entering your unique password, and accessing your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.

Itinerary

1. Anchorage

   Alaska’s largest city, where rugged wilderness meets urban life. Framed by the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, Anchorage is the gateway to glaciers, wildlife, and unforgettable road trips north toward Denali.

   · 15 min

2. A winding mountain road climbing into the Chugach Mountains, offering sweeping views of Anchorage and Cook Inlet. In late summer, its slopes burst with wildflowers—and sometimes even blueberries along the trail edges.

   · 15 min

3. Chugach State Park

   One of the largest state parks in the U.S., stretching from Anchorage into wild alpine terrain. Expect towering peaks, glacier-fed lakes, roaming moose, and endless trails just minutes from the city.

   · 15 min

4. Glenn Highway

   A designated National Scenic Byway stretching from Anchorage toward the interior of Alaska. This dramatic route delivers glacier views, rugged mountain backdrops, and wide-open wilderness at every turn.

   · 15 min

5. A small community just north of Anchorage, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Chugach Mountains. Known for outdoor adventures, salmon streams, and frequent wildlife sightings, Eagle River feels worlds away while still close to the city.

   · 15 min

6. A small Native village north of Anchorage known for its colorful Spirit Houses in the historic Russian Orthodox cemetery. Surrounded by mountains and near Eklutna Lake, it blends rich Alaska Native heritage with striking natural beauty.

   · 10 min

7. Eklutna Lake

   A striking turquoise glacial lake tucked inside Chugach State Park, just north of Anchorage. Popular for kayaking, biking, and lakeside walks, it’s a peaceful escape framed by dramatic mountain scenery.

   · 15 min

8. A wide, glacier-fed river flowing from the Knik Glacier into Cook Inlet. Known for its braided channels and dramatic mountain backdrop, it’s a popular spot for flightseeing, ATV tours, and epic Alaska scenery.

   · 10 min

9. A massive river of ice stretching more than 25 miles from the Chugach Mountains. With towering blue ice walls and floating icebergs, Knik Glacier is one of Southcentral Alaska’s most dramatic and accessible glacier experiences.

   · 10 min

10. Often called the Mat-Su Valley, this broad, fertile region north of Anchorage is framed by glaciers, rivers, and rugged peaks. Known for its giant vegetables, small-town charm, and sweeping mountain views, it’s a gateway to Alaska’s Interior.

    · 10 min

11. Wasilla

    A lively town in the Mat-Su Valley known for its lakes, mountain views, and frontier spirit. Wasilla serves as a hub for outdoor adventure and a gateway to Denali, Hatcher Pass, and beyond.

    · 10 min

12. Hatcher Pass

    A stunning alpine mountain pass in the Talkeetna Mountains known for dramatic peaks, wildflower meadows, and sweeping tundra views. Popular for scenic drives, hiking, and fall colors, it’s one of Southcentral Alaska’s most photogenic routes.

    · 10 min

13. A small, forested community along the Parks Highway best known as the official restart location of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Surrounded by lakes and wilderness, Willow offers a quiet slice of classic Alaska.

    · 10 min

14. A quirky, historic town with colorful storefronts and big mountain views. On clear days, it’s one of the best places to spot Denali rising above the Alaska Range, making it a favorite stop along the Parks Highway.

    · 10 min

15. One of Alaska’s longest rivers, flowing nearly 300 miles from the Alaska Range to Cook Inlet. Famous for salmon runs and wide, braided channels, it’s a lifeline for wildlife and a scenic highlight along the Parks Highway.

    · 10 min

16. A vast, rugged wilderness area in southcentral Alaska straddling the Parks Highway between the Talkeetna Mountains and the Alaska Range. It offers wild rivers, alpine ridges, lakes, hiking trails, campgrounds, and stunning views of Denali and surrounding peaks.

    · 10 min

17. A scenic roadside wayside in Denali State Park where, on clear days, you can see Denali rising above the Alaska Range just off the Parks Highway. It’s an easy stop with parking and viewpoints perfect for photos and soaking in the mountain panorama.

    · 10 min

18. A scenic ridge hike in Denali State Park offering sweeping views of the Alaska Range and, on clear days, Denali itself. The trail climbs through tundra and alpine terrain, rewarding hikers with wide-open mountain panoramas.

    · 10 min

19. A peaceful, glacier-fed lake in Denali State Park known for its mirror-like reflections of the Alaska Range. An easy loop trail circles the shoreline, making it a favorite stop for hiking, paddling, and soaking in the scenery.

    · 10 min

20. A spectacular alpine ridge in Denali State Park offering some of the best sustained views of Denali outside the national park. Rolling tundra, sweeping ridgelines, and vast open skies make it a favorite for hikers and backpackers seeking true Alaska wilderness.

    · 10 min

21. A dramatic steel bridge spanning a 300-foot-deep gorge along the Parks Highway. Originally built for the Alaska Railroad, it’s an impressive sight—especially when a train crosses high above the rushing waters of Hurricane Creek below.

    · 15 min

22. An abandoned four-story concrete “igloo” along the Parks Highway near Cantwell. Built in the 1970s as a novelty hotel that never opened, it’s now one of Alaska’s quirkiest and most photographed roadside landmarks.

    · 10 min

23. A small crossroads community at the junction of the Parks Highway and Denali Highway. Surrounded by tundra and mountain views, Cantwell serves as a quiet gateway to Interior Alaska and Denali’s wild landscapes.

    · 10 min

24. A scenic pull-off along the Parks Highway overlooking the powerful Nenana River as it cuts through a rugged canyon. It’s a great spot to pause, take photos, and watch the glacial waters rush below.

    · 10 min

25. A vast wilderness area in interior Alaska dominated by Mount Denali, North America’s tallest peak and iconic landmark. The park’s rugged tundra, glaciers, and forests are prime for wildlife viewing and backcountry exploration along its scenic park road.

    · 10 min

How to use your ticket

Ticket handed over by the operator on site

IGNORE THE QR CODE ABOVE The QR code CANNOT be presented for a ticket onsite. The QR simply contains your tour access instructions. Please follow these instructions BEFORE you’re onsite because they require WiFi/signal. 1. Download my Action Tour Guide app: actiontourguide.com/app 2. Sign in/ register with your email (this is will automatically generate a one-time verification sent to your email. That code is NOT your tour password). 3. Go to “My Tours” and select “Enter Password”. Find your password in the instructions email sent by “Action Tour Guide” to you by email and text. 4. Download your tour NOW. Do not wait until you are onsite. BEFORE YOU START This is a self-guided audio tour. No guide will meet you. Entrance tickets, attraction tickets, parking, and transportation are not included. Your tour has lifetime access with no expiry. Use it on any date—no need to change your booking date. For walking tours, we recommend headphones. See how it works: actiontourguide.com/tutorial NEED HELP? Setup: actiontourguide.com/redeem FAQs: actiontourguide.com/faq Call: 1-508-506-1844 Email: support@actiontourguide.com Important Note: Due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide and the Polychrome Area Plan, the Denali Park Road closure at Mile 43 is expected to remain in place through summer 2026. If you plan to visit areas beyond this point by shuttle or separately from the tour, please check current NPS conditions before your trip. https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Meeting point

What to know before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Important Note: Due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide and the Polychrome Area Plan, the Denali Park Road closure at Mile 43 is expected to remain in place through summer 2026. If you plan to visit areas beyond this point by shuttle or separately from the tour, please check current NPS conditions before your trip.
• Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
• Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
• At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
• Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
• Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
• More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
• Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
• Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
• Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
• Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
• The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Travelers

Pricing per vehicle (up to 4 people).

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

Reviews

Product code: 259640P41

Activity offered by Guide With Action via Viator.