Princess Denali Lodge and Princess Mt. McKinley Wilderness Lodge -Denali National Park, Alaska - August 2024

It's the first time we took the "land" tour with a cruise line. The three day road trip with Princess took us from Whittier to Denali National Park and back to our final destination, Anchorage. Mary and Kevin left for home when the ship disembarked in Whittier while the six of us continue the adventure in the wild Alaska. Our hotel stays included: Denali Princess Lodge, McKinley Lodge and Captain Cook.

Denali National Park and Preserve: It was a long bus ride from Whittier port to Denali Princess Lodge where we spent the first night.

Scenic drive north from Whittier through Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. The other side of tunnel is the Seward Highway. Picture of Portage Glacier and Portage Lake.

Denali National Park.

Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge - with Christmas celebration in August.

The main lodge, located only a mile to the entrance to Denali National Park.

Cantwell in the national park.

A short hike in the park.

An early sunset behind our lodge.

On the second day, we took the park bus to go around the loop before leaving Denali Princess Lodge for McKinley Lodge.

Denali NP landscape with its tundra.

Healy - Denali NP

It was raining on and off. The bus stopped for Ptarmigan (quail, Alaska state bird) crossing.


After the rain.

We are rewarded with the clear view of Mount Denali in front of us.

And a moose sighting not too far from the road.

Igloo Hotel, in Big Lake, half way between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Abandoned for more than 40 years.

                                       Alaska Veterans Memorial -  Point up toward Mt. Denali.

Leaving the Denali Lodge, the tour bus took us south toward Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge for our second night. The trip was about two hours and we got to the lodge by mid afternoon. 

Another beautiful Princess lodge situated in Denali State Park.

In front of the lodge.

Enjoying the nice view from the lodge's observation deck.

Mt. Denali from the lodge.

A closeup of Mt. Denali.

Hiking in the lodge property. 

We are pleased with the lodges at Denali Wilderness and Mt. McLinley Wilderness and look forward to our last night at Captain Cook hotel in Anchorage.