Denali NP with 6 & 3.5 y.o.

Question

Hi friends!

My husband and I will be traveling to Alaska next summer with our littles, we will be staying near Denali for 3 days. I have already read multiple Q&A's on here about traveling with littles into the park and am conflicted with what I am finding.

My initial plan was to book the Tundra Wilderness Tour but quickly pivoted after reading the East Forks Tour is cheaper and accomplishes basically the same thing without narration. My only hesitation about this is bathroom breaks. My 6 yo would be fine but unsure about my 3 yo. The other consideration is the car seat issue. My 6 yo will not need one, but my 3 yo will. I understand with the EFT shuttle you can hop on/off, has anyone tried this with a car seat? That seems not super convenient to me.

My last consideration would be to scrap the tour buses all together and just hike around the trails in the front of the park - my kids would enjoy this. However, I have read that going into the park to some people is not worth it/pointless if you are not going to do a bus tour. I also don't know that my kids will be that interested in the wildlife, maybe initially but not the whole 4-5 hours, I honestly don't know how much I care to see them for that long either. It's probably the only time we will ever go, and I just want to make the most of our time and be wise with finances. Like I said - conflicted!

Thank for your help/advice!

Answer

Traveling to Denali National Park with young children requires balancing adventure, comfort, and practicality. Here’s a detailed breakdown of your options and considerations to help make the most of your 3-day stay.

Option 1: Tundra Wilderness Tour

This is the classic Denali bus experience, offering narration and deep park access. The pros are excellent wildlife viewing and professional guidance, while the cons include cost, long duration, and the challenge of keeping a 3-year-old entertained for 4-5 hours. Bathrooms are limited to the few stops along the route, and you cannot bring a car seat for a 3-year-old. You would need to hold your child on your lap, which might be tiring for both of you.

Option 2: East Forks Tour / Shuttle

The East Forks shuttle is less expensive and allows hopping on and off. This is more flexible but does come with challenges for families:

Car seat: You would need to remove your 3-year-old from the seat to board, which is not ideal and may be inconvenient during stops.
Bathroom breaks: Limited facilities exist along the route, so you would need to plan short stops carefully; 3-year-olds may still need frequent breaks.
Duration: You can choose shorter segments rather than a full-day experience, which may suit younger kids better.

This option gives you flexibility and can reduce stress, but managing a car seat and young child might be cumbersome.

Option 3: Exploring Front-Country Trails

Hiking the trails near the Denali Visitor Center, Savage River, and Horseshoe Lake can be very rewarding for families. For small children, short hikes allow exploration without long hours on a bus. Pros include:

Flexibility: Stop as often as needed for breaks, snacks, or restroom visits.
Child-friendly pace: Your 3-year-old can walk short distances or be carried easily.
Wildlife sightings: Even near the entrance, you may see moose, Dall sheep, foxes, and birds.

Cons: You will not penetrate the deeper park areas where wildlife sightings are more frequent, so the “big” park experience is somewhat limited. However, for a first-time visit with young children, this can be a perfect balance.

Suggested Approach for Your Family

Given your concerns about car seats, bathroom breaks, and young children, a mixed strategy may work best:

Day 1: Arrive and explore easy front-country trails, enjoy visitor center exhibits, and scenic stops near the park entrance.
Day 2: Consider a shorter shuttle segment or a half-day East Forks shuttle to see deeper areas without a full 4-5 hour commitment. You can hop on/off as needed and maintain flexibility for your 3-year-old.
Day 3: Another short hike or drive along scenic pullouts, taking advantage of nearby trails and photography spots before departure.

This approach allows your family to experience Denali’s scenery, some wildlife, and outdoor adventure, while minimizing stress for your youngest child and avoiding unnecessary expense for a full Tundra Wilderness Tour.

Other tips:

Bring snacks, water, and a small travel potty if your 3-year-old may need it.
Check the park shuttle schedule and plan your hop-on/hop-off stops in advance.
Layered clothing is essential—weather can change quickly, and mornings/evenings are chilly even in summer.

Overall, prioritizing flexibility and short hikes will make the trip more enjoyable for both kids and adults, while still giving you a memorable Denali experience.

Denali NP with 6 & 3.5 y.o.

More Alaska (AK) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions