Historic scenic highway connecting interior communities while offering mountain views, wildlife sightings, and access to major destinations across Alaska.
General Information
Fuel, lodging, and attractions along the route may have separate costs
Fairbanks (0 mi)
How to Get There
From Anchorage (0 mi): Access the route directly from the city and follow Parks Hwy (AK-3 north) toward interior Alaska destinations including Denali and Fairbanks.
Overview
The George Parks Highway (Alaska Route 3) runs 323 miles from the Glenn Highway near Wasilla to Fairbanks, mostly following the Alaska Railroad, the main route between Anchorage and Fairbanks and the road to Denali National Park (at mile 237). It is named for Governor George Parks, not for the parks along it, and drivers can see Denali on clear days from South Denali Viewpoint near Talkeetna. Allow about 6 hours to drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks.
Highlights
- Talkeetna spur: a 14-mile side road to the town and Denali flightseeing
- Denali State Park and Denali National Park: viewpoints and trails
- Nenana River corridor: rafting near the park entrance
Things to Do
Drive Alaska's Main Route Between Anchorage and Fairbanks
The George Parks Highway connects Alaska's two largest cities while traveling through some of the state's most spectacular wilderness. The route provides access to Denali National Park & Preserve, Denali State Park, mountain viewpoints, rivers, forests, and wildlife habitats, making it one of Alaska's most popular scenic drives.
Visit Denali National Park & Preserve
The Parks Highway is the primary gateway to Denali National Park, home to North America's tallest peak. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, bus tours, hiking, camping, ranger programs, photography, and opportunities to experience one of the world's great wilderness areas.
Explore Denali State Park
Located south of the national park, Denali State Park offers excellent hiking, camping, fishing, and scenic viewpoints. The park's landscapes include forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes, with numerous opportunities to view Denali on clear days.
Stop at Byers Lake
One of the most scenic locations along the Parks Highway, Byers Lake offers canoeing, kayaking, fishing, camping, and hiking. The lake is surrounded by mountains and often serves as one of the best places to photograph reflections of the Alaska Range.
Visit Talkeetna
This historic community is known for its colorful downtown, aviation history, and role as a staging area for Denali mountaineering expeditions. Visitors can enjoy local shops, restaurants, sightseeing flights, river tours, and cultural attractions.
Watch for Wildlife
The Parks Highway corridor provides opportunities to see moose, bears, caribou, Dall sheep, eagles, and other wildlife. Wildlife viewing is particularly popular near Denali National Park, Broad Pass, and other undeveloped sections of the highway.
Experience Scenic Viewpoints and Mountain Passes
The route crosses rivers, mountain passes, and broad valleys while offering numerous viewpoints of the Alaska Range. Broad Pass, Hurricane Gulch, and designated Denali viewpoint areas are among the highway's most popular scenic stops.
Top Trails
Byers Lake Trail
Length: Approximately 4.5 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Located in Denali State Park, this scenic lakeside trail circles Byers Lake and offers excellent views of surrounding mountains, forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitat.
Curry Ridge Trail
Length: Approximately 6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Significant
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
This trail climbs above tree line within Denali State Park and rewards hikers with exceptional views of the Alaska Range, Susitna River Valley, and surrounding wilderness.
Kesugi Ridge Trail
Length: Up to 27 miles one way
Elevation Gain: Significant
Difficulty: Strenuous
One of Alaska's premier backpacking routes, Kesugi Ridge traverses alpine tundra and ridgeline terrain with outstanding views of Denali and the Alaska Range. Multiple trailheads along the Parks Highway provide access to shorter day hikes.
Triple Lakes Trail
Length: Approximately 9.5 miles one way
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
Near the entrance to Denali National Park, this trail passes forests, lakes, and river valleys while providing opportunities to experience the park beyond the main visitor areas.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article and official pages for Alaska DOT - Parks Highway Scenic Byway, National Scenic Byway Foundation - George Parks Highway, George Parks Highway, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
