After driving so much to get to Denali, I was concerned that the kids would not like the bus trip, but I was sooo wrong! We went on the 6am trip to Eielson Visitor Center. It was just under $40 each. It had just opened up on June 8 and we were there on June 16. The trip is 8 hours round trip and you make around 4 stops along the way. While they say you can get on and off, there has to be an open seat to get back on. We picked up a few campers & their gear along the way, so we didn't dare give up our seats and stayed with our own bus throughout. At the stops they allow you time to get out and walk around maybe 15 - 20min. each time - you can basically leave your stuff and save your seat on your bus and get back on and ride to the next stop. The Eielson center is tucked into the side of the mountain with amazing views. They have a large quilt on display here which is actually made up of 4 quilts hanging next to each other. Other hands on exhibits and a movie on Denali were available. The scenery from here is beautiful. There were low clouds when we were here which made it all the more beautiful. The low clouds did not stop us from seeing wildlife. We saw bald eagles, 3 grizzly bear, Dall sheep, caribou, and a wolf. I was very leary about taking this trip, but woudn't think twice about doing it again. There is a change in scenery around each corner. There was nothing scary about the ride to Eielsen and the buses were plenty comfortable with some storage above your heads for backpacks. Take this trip, you won't regret it!!

We spent a few days in Denali, and during that time, we took both the Tundra Wilderness Tour and the shuttle bus out to the new Eielson Visitor Center. For the difference in money, I would suggest taking the shuttle bus and save the extra $80 for the tour. While the tour does include a box lunch of reindeer sausage, cheese, and a few snacks, the sights you see along the say are identical-there's only one road in and one road out. We road on three different shuttles throughout the day, and all of them included informed commentary along the way on par with the tundra tour. The shuttles stop for wildlife along the way, thought admittedly not always as long at a stop as the tour does. The biggest advantage though is that if you fall in love with a stop along the way, as we did at Polychrome Mountain, you can linger for a while or take a day hike and flag down the next bus down the road.

With this said, no matter which way you go, you will have a chance to see some of the most beautiful landscapes you will ever find. It roams from dense taiga forests near the park entrance to sub-alpine tundra to glacial river flats to snow capped hills. Along the way, you are certain to see a variety of wild life. We saw 5 grizzlies, 4 caribou, 3 red fox, millions of snowshoe hares and alpine ground squirrels, and an assortment of eagles, hawks and other birds. And if you're lucky enough, you might just see the Mountain itself. And if not, even the clouds are beautiful.

Took 13-hour tour to end of Park roadway. Wildlife was magnificent - saw 13 grizzly bears, including 2 cubs; moose with babies, caribou, fox, eagles. Ride is on old school bus, so can be uncomfortable sitting. And unlike Park shuttle bus, you stay on the bus the entire trip to end of raodway except for BR breaks.

Now, the terrifying part. About 1/3 of the roadway is about 2 inches wider than the bus and hangs onto the side of a mountain. Our driver was skilled and confident and followed all reasonable rules. But for those with fear of heights and who dislike mountain switchback roads, this is not a pleasant experience. And there are times when one bus must pass another going in opposite direction. If I had known, I would not have gone, but no literature mentions the road conditions.

Husband and daughter found the experience exhilerating. Son and I were close to panic. Make a decision based on your own personal fear factor.

This was the trip of a lifetime for us. We saw moose, bears (quite a few coming out of hibernation at this time of the year), caribou, owls, various birds, a porcupine, mountain goats, dall sheep, huge rabbits, and the ever elusive denali wolf. And equally elusive--Mt. McKinley. Take the tour bus for sure, the bus drivers are very knowledgeable and know how to spot the wildlife. For us, we got lucky driving the first 15 miles on our own. 9:00pm was the best time for seeing the wildlife. Don't miss the free sled dog tour and demonstration. Take your camera with extra batteries! You never know when your going to see something! Always have your camera ready! Also, make time to visit the visitor's center. It is very nice and has some informative displays and a short movie that plays every 30 minutes. Best part of our trip to Alaska--by far!