Wilderness Access Center

Wilderness Access Center

Wilderness Access Center
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles329 reviews
Excellent
183
Very good
103
Average
37
Poor
5
Terrible
1

jd3sai
Houston, TX405 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Where the bus tours start. it's the last pick up for the Tundra tour, so most of the seats will be filled fyi.
We got lucky that the entire bus was filled with 1 tour group and the 3 of us. They left us the fourth row free, so we were able to sit on the same row at least.

The center has a coffee bar, service reps, and a small gift shop. They were nice and helpful with some questions we had. Use the restrooms here for sure.

It also had some info on the walls, etc. Nice to read about the history of how it all came about.
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

1never2late
Queensland, Australia183 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2016 • Couples
The WAC, the starting point for trips into the park and where one comes to confirm/ make shuttle reservations. We found the staff to be knowledgable and super organised in dealing with the many, many people who enter Denali each day. The Dispatcher, in particular, calmly and efficiently worked to ensure everyone was lined up ready to board the correct bus, ensuring a punctual, hassle free departure. I respect people who know their job and do it well.
Written October 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

queentut1
Scarsdale54 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Couples
This great experience started with Rudy, one of the customer service reps whom I was lucky enough to reach when planning my visit into the park. Thanks to his guidance and efforts, my husband and I were successfully able to book an early morning bus excursion to Wonder Lake just a few weeks before our trip. He is a fine example of the type of service that is available at this company. Like another Trip Advisor contributor, we walked an easy couple of miles to the WAC from the Holland America lodges, which are right next door to their sister Princess lodge facilities. On the way, we encountered a tremendous moose, right there on the roadway. That is a rather common sight out there, and we understand that this particular moose is a frequent visitor to the same area--we think we even saw her the last time we visited the park a few years ago, when she had one of her babies with her! While it seems that she has gotten used to the many humans that she sees in the area, the idea is to keep your distance and use common sense. As she was very busy eating her breakfast and seemed totally uninterested in us, we moved as quickly as possible as far as possible away from her, and all was well. Just letting you know that there is a real possibility, if you walk over to the Access Center especially in the early morning or evening hours, you may be in for some bonus wildlife sightings! The shuttle bus ride to Wonder Lake from the Access Center is terrific, with some of the most beautiful scenery that you will ever see anywhere, although it is a VERY full 11 hour day. But, there are many different trip options, so you can budget your time accordingly. The bus drivers are wonderful and informative, and they make frequent stops when wildlife is observed in the area. There are also stops at rest areas, but be warned: there is no food and very little water available once you leave the Access Center, so if you haven't done so already, stock up on provisions there. The Denali National Park is, hands down, one of the premier highlights of any Alaska trip, and the Access Center does a terrific job of coordinating and running these shuttle bus adventures. Just don't forget your food, your water, your camera, and your binoculars!
Written September 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kris_K_D
Gig Harbor, WA1,359 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Couples
The Wilderness Access Center, now known as the "Denali Bus Depot," is not a destination or attraction in and of itself. It is a meeting place for visitors to catch the tour or transit bus into the park that is run by a third-party concessionaire. There is a small cafe and a gift shop, as well as a water bottle filling station.

TIP: I recommend checking-in for your tour or transit bus the day before; you need to have your hard ticket in-hand before queuing for the buses out back. Getting the ticket in advance will save you time, especially for those early morning departures, so you can arrive and go straight to the bus (or bus line), avoiding the crowd and hassle.
Written August 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DreamingofC
California, USA42 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2016 • Family
A nice, new building with gift and snack shops. It is a pickup location for Denali Tundra Tours but the last of three, which means all front seats are already occupied from earlier pickups, for the duration of the 8 hour bus tour. The bus driver/tour guide didn't see any inequity in not having passengers rotate seats at various rest stops although the back seats are clearly bumpier than the front ones not to mention the view is not as good. Also, difficult to ask questions from back of bus seats. In short, the driver didn't care except for not wanting to get back past 4:30.
Written June 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gokuyang2018
Torrance, CA7 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Family
Busy bus depot to catch all the buses that go inside Denali National Park. Crowded and packed, with buses that start at 5:15 AM.
Recommend pre-booking tickets and will need to catch early buses as most tours take from 6 - 8 hours, Even for the Tundra Wilderness tour. We saw 5 bears, Caribou, moose, fox, Eagles, Grouse and a small limited window with Mount Denali (McKinley)
Written June 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shelley E
Anchor Point, AK59 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Friends
The WAC has a movie theater, information but the main reason to come here is to buy your bus ticket to get into Denali. Private vehicles can only go a short distance into the park. You must buy a park bus ticket to go as far as 95 miles into the park or to Eielson. I will tell you that the further into the park you go, the more wildlife you will see. Go early in the morning or late in the evening, animals are usually seen more during that time. I take the 6 am bus in. Many times people book spots but don't show up so usually has more space available for picture taking....I usually go into Eielson on the green bus. It is the one you can get on and off of to hike if you would like. If you are going to Wonder Lake be prepared for a bumpy ride with lots of mosquitoes at Wonder Lake. Bring food and bug dope. There is no food in the park. I got very hungry by the time we arrived at Wonder Lake!
Written May 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

M D
Washington DC, DC471 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2015 • Family
The Denali national park was our first stop after arriving in Anchorage. A must see for us to experience one of Alaska's largest wildlife reserve! We were here in late August and it was snowing! We booked the earliest bus tour, 6:30 a.m. to Wonder Lake but due to the snow the night before and the snow that morning, we did not make it only as far as Toklat. The bus was 2 hours late due to weather and when we finally made it out, our driver John Nelson gave us a good narration of the history of the park and pointed out wildlife. We saw a family of cubs with their mom, caribous, huge moose, sheep, etc... Mr John pointed out great points of interest in Denali and we were so thankful for his excellent driving. It was snowing heavily and some of those curves in the park are dangerously close to the other side of the cliff!!!

Pros: excellent customer service ie we hot an immediate refund since our tour was cut short due to the snow; rangers are so friendly and knowledgeable; great venue to watch wildlife in their habitat; great educational videos; buses are comfortable though old; excellent tour driver. Thanks Mr Nelson!

Cons: crowded so arrive early; sightseeing and wildlife depends on mother nature and animals schedule so you may not see any animals or you could see a lot.

TIPS: book your tour on line if you want to skip the line though they do move the crowds pretty quick; wear comfortable water proof shoes; bring jackets or slickers, glives and hats as the weather could shift easily; bring water and snacks or sandwiches since tours could run from 6-12 hours if you plan to get on and off the bus. And if course, bring your cameras and binoculars!

And lastly, be prepared for slow traffic during the summer month due to road repairs. And watch out for construction workers and traffic signs, and follow pilot cars regulating the coming and goings of vehicles as they get pretty testy when you don't pay attention to road rules and ethics. Fun to watch! Never seen anything like it anywhere in the lower 48s!

Prepare To Be Amazed!!!! A don't miss opportunity!!!!!
Written October 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Flaul
San Francisco83 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2014 • Friends
How can you not love this place? If you're fortunate weather-wise and hit the park when there are clear skies or the tundra is blazing with color during the brief spring or fall periods, then you've pretty much hit the jackpot.

But for those (like me) who visit the park in slightly less than optimum conditions, you'll still be blown away by the vast wilderness.

Went over Memorial weekend and so the summer season for the park is just days in. It was a little overcast and at times drizzling but we had pockets of sun. The tundra was somewhat starting to show some color, with pockets of red and green but the park will be spectacular a month from now.

No cars allowed past mile 15 so you have to reserve a spot on a shuttle bus. All the guided ones were already booked so we went with a green non-guided bus for $37pp (which includes the $10pp park entrance fee). Turns out our drive, Ken, was a pretty good unofficial guide. A nice grandpa-type that likes to repeat stories and tell corny jokes but very sweet and more importantly, informative.

Since it was early season, the we could only go out to Toklat (mile 53) whereas later in the summer, you can go further to Eielson Visitor Center (mile 66) or even Kantishna (mile 89). You can get off at any point you want and hike (and just take the next bus which come in roughly 30-min intervals). If you stay with the same bus, then the whole round-trip takes 6.5 hours so plan accordingly (translation: bring food and drink).

We lucked out and saw a bunch of wildlife, including bears (and cubs), moose, caribou, dall sheep and even a couple of porcupines.

I would have loved to see the Denali on a postcard perfect day but there are some major positives for travelling travelling late May. No crowds at all. And no mosquitoes.
Written May 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

yesharvardsucks
Alexandria, Virginia148 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2013 • Couples
We purchased our shuttle bus tickets to Wonder Lake the day before the tour. If you really want a specific tour at a specific time, book in advance. We were lucky to have a great person behind the counter help us coordinate free shuttles between our lodge and the W.A.C. They have super clean bathrooms, faucets to fill your water bottles with clean water, a small info center, and a coffee shop. No food or water is sold inside the park while on a tour or a shuttle, so if this is your last stop before hopping on a bus you should take advantage of the food and drinks available for sale. It is also a good idea to arrive early for your shuttle to ensure a good seat. Seats on the left side of the bus have better views. Important to note that the W.A.C. is not the same thing as the Visitor Center. A free shuttle bus runs between the two locations.
Written September 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Wilderness Access Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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