The McKinley River Bar Trail is in one of the furthest points in the park by the famous Wonder Lake. This flat out and back trail takes you through brushy wetlands, over wooden boardwalks, and to the rocky, open banks of the large, glacier-fed McKinley River. This hike can be very buggy due to the swampy terrain so, if possible, it is best to complete it in June or late August when the mosquitos are fewer. This is an amazing hike in a unique, remote part of the park.

🕊️ 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓

December 6, 2016

One of the few maintained trails in the otherwise wild and trail-free Denali backcountry near Wonder Lake. It leads through beautiful wetlands to the banks of the McKinley River, where bears can often be found crossing or fishing. Get a permit for backcountry camping from the reservations office and catch an early morning bus. No personal vehicles are allowed into this area of the park. The campground at Wonder Lake is often booked out, as is the lodge at the end of the road. The camper bus and bringing your tent into the backcountry is the cheapest way to stay overnight in the park, and the bus ride to Wonder Lake is too long to have time to explore the area on just a day trip.

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Details

Informations

Distance 3.56 km

Uphill 20 m

Downhill 30 m

Weather

Today

Friday 31 October

2°C

-8°C

61 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

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Take Me There

Location: Denali Borough, Alaska, United States

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