North to Denali and Fairbanks
Mount McKinley is North America's highest peak standing at 20,320 feet. Photo: © Alaska Stock
Head north on the Parks Highway to Wasilla, the commercial hub for the Mat-Su Valley region. Stop by the Dorothy Page Museum with its tools and displays of the area's farming and mining days, plus the Wasilla Old Town Site Park.
More history awaits at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, where 10 acres of exhibits tell the story of the state's development including a gold rush exhibit, military and pioneer aircraft, mining equipment, antique cars, a railroad engine and more.
Summer or winter, catch the excitement of the world's best-known sled dog race at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters, mile 2.2 Knik Road. Stop by for a look at sled dog racing memorabilia and watch mushing films.
Between Wasilla and Denali National Park is the colorful town of Talkeetna. Once the supply center of a gold mining district, Talkeetna is now famous as the jumping-off point for climbing expeditions on Mount McKinley. Flightseeing services get up close to this towering peak, and some even land on a glacier at the mountain's base. The local fishing guides say that the Talkeetna River is a gold mine for big fish.
Continue due north to explore the land surrounding North America's highest peak: Mt. McKinley. Dominating the horizon, Mt. McKinley (20,320 ft./6,164 m) is the tallest peak in North America.
Surrounding “The High One,” Denali, its Athabascan name, is the 6-million acre (2.4 hectare) Denali National Park & Preserve. Private vehicles are allowed to drive only the first 18 miles into the park. For a fee, shuttle buses take wildlife lovers and campers deep into the park. There are plenty of activities in the area for those that don't venture into the park, including hiking, rafting and mountain biking. NPS Web site
In Fairbanks, pan for gold, explore the Alaskaland pioneer theme park, and take a ride on the Riverboat Discovery as it winds down the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Visit the University of Alaska Museum for amazing stories, wildlife displays and Native artifacts. The Arctic Circle is just 161 miles (261 km) north of Fairbanks.
