Savage River Loop Trail
Savage River Loop Trail
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.
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4.5
230 reviews
Excellent
156
Very good
61
Average
11
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Eternal Wanderer
Utah130 contributions
Aug 2020
Very easy trail that is great for the family. It's at mile marker 15 (as far as you can drive your own personal car into Denali National Park if you don't have a pass to camp). The views are incredible. Lots of wildlife around. It was really a very memorable hike for my kids. Bring binoculars and a good camera. Keep an eye out and be "bear aware" as this area is frequented by bears. We didn't see any, but there were some sightings in the area during the time we were at Denali.
Written November 5, 2020
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.
ronaldj646
McKinney20 contributions
Jul 2021
This is located about 14 miles inside Denali National Park at the end of the paved road. Private vehicles can't drive beyond this point. There is a parking lot there with public toilets available.
The hiking trail is about two miles in length. There is a bridge over Savage River that allows crossing to continue the trail. We saw several different wildlife. We saw a large Male Caribou with huge antlers.
The hiking trail is about two miles in length. There is a bridge over Savage River that allows crossing to continue the trail. We saw several different wildlife. We saw a large Male Caribou with huge antlers.
Written July 29, 2021
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.
Tracyktn
Ketchikan, AK228 contributions
Aug 2020
Trail was closed due to bear activity in the area. I was told it has been closed most of the summer. I can understand needing to close the trail, but I didn't see it posted on their website or anywhere else that the trail was closed. They also have signs that creek area is closed so you really can't hike around here at all. Wish we would have known this ahead of time.
Written August 15, 2020
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.
El G
Glenwood, IA216 contributions
Aug 2019
A short hike that is friendly for the whole family from little kids to grandmas. It is not handicap accessible though. It travels down one side of the river, crosses over with a bridge, and returns you the same distance down the other side. You'll want your hiking boots as it is rocky and don't forget your rain gear no matter the weather looks like when you start. My hiking stick was a plus as I'm closer to the grandma age. It is not the right trail for you if you are looking for some Alaska quiet and seclusion but does offer a degree of safety in numbers. We did see quiet a bit of wildlife (with binoculars) and a fairly decent diversity of plant life.
Written January 2, 2020
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.
kayakthearkansas
rcky mtn, CO85 contributions
Jul 2022
Easy hike for those with young children. Met a park ranger along the way and she had great hiking advice. Depending on the weather, it is a good idea to have bug repellent. Judging by the size of the local mosquitos, I don’t think 100% deet would have phased those bad boys.
Written July 28, 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.
Kepthe
Boise, ID39 contributions
Aug 2022
Family friendly hike. Not hard at all, about 2 miles along the little river. There were quite a few people on the trail the day we hiked, but it was a nice little hike. Good parking and clean restrooms at the beginning and end of the hike.
Written August 19, 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.
Brendan S
Arlington, VA2,152 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
This 2-mile trail proceeds down one side of the Savage River near the riverbank in a valley, across a footbridge and back across the opposite shore. The path out includes dramatic views of rock formations and the valley. The return includes views of the distant mountains. There is minimal elevation and the hike is enjoyable and breathtaking in its beauty.
Written August 12, 2024
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.
conashkat
South Hamilton, MA15 contributions
Aug 2021
Although parking was an issue, the hike had two options... a shorter 2 mile one along the stream and a 4 mile hike that was more difficult. Scenery was amazing. Crossing the river where it was easy and safe to do so was also fun. Beautiful day!
Written August 10, 2021
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.
Christina K
Saint Louis, MO29 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Quick, easy, slightly less than 2 miles round trip. A very pleasant walk along the river with good views. Located right before mile 15 of Denali Park Road.
Written August 27, 2024
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.
Kim B
Bonita, CA160 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
There is a free shuttle in Denali. Its last stop, Savage River, drops you off at the trailhead. You can go further into the park but you have to pay for a different shuttle if you do. There are two pit toilets at the trailhead for us who find ourselves running the restroom every chance we have. The trail is mostly level unless you decide to continue upriver after crossing the bridge by using the social trails (trails made by animals and humans but not maintained by the park.) We did go up a little further and had a good view of a small waterfall across from us. I have to admit, there are no trees, a rather flat, shallow river, and little in the way of geography to see, but it was a pleasant walk, easy to do on our first day out, and on our way back we saw one of the most elusive animals in the park--a lynx! We were told the next day that our friendly lynx was known to hang out around the area. So normally I would give this trail three stars, but if you have a chance to see a lynx, I'd give it four stars. If you like this review, please give it a thumbs up!
Written August 13, 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.
Any suggestions on how to get to the Savage River trail head without a car in early May before the park shuttles start?
Written August 22, 2018
You ought to check to see if the road is even open at that time of the year. I saw lots of barriers to close down sections of the road dependent on weather conditions. If the road is open and possibly icy I’d rent a 4x4 with studded tires! Call the ranger station or visitor center for specifics!
Written August 23, 2018
Hi
We are visiting Denali in 1st week of July to celebrate our daughter’s 2nd birthday (I know it might sound silly). Going by reviews this trail seems suitable for our family. Can anyone confirm?
Also any more recommendations for us would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Written May 17, 2018
Hi
We are visiting Denali in 1st week of July to celebrate our daughter’s 2nd birthday (I know it might sound silly). Going by reviews this trail seems suitable for our family. Can anyone confirm?
Also any more recommendations for us would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Written May 17, 2018
Sure. You should hold her hand on the hike or “backpack” her in.
Written July 22, 2018
Hi, we are planning to be in Denali July 2018, what kind of time frame would be ideal for such a trail around the Savage River Area? Where can we get online hiking or trail maps. What else would you recommend in Alaska? we are a party of 3, 2 adults and a 12 year old boy. Thanks.
Written November 1, 2017
We took the green buses and they worked out just fine. You pick them up at the Wilderness Access Center (WAC), which is 1.5 miles inside the park road. Inside the park is also a Denali Visitor Center. It is a good place to visit, and we picked up the free bus to visit the free sled dog demonstrations. It was excellent. We went to Eilson Center and hiked up the mountain behind the visitor center. The hike is not long, but steep. The views were incredible. By the time we came back down the mountain Denali was behind clouds and fully out of sight. We also hiked Mt. Healy Overlook trail and enjoyed a nice view from there. One day we parked at the Riley Creek area- campground, and hiked the Rock Creek Trail. It was very windy, and we had to turn around just beneath the summit. Our best book on the area is "Anchorage, Denali, and the Kenai Peninsula" by Don Pitcher. It includes the Talkeetna area. We hiked the trail around Lakes X and Y in that area. We spent a week in the Seward area, so our water activities were down there. Enjoy your visit!
Written November 9, 2017
how can we get to and from trail fm Denali Lodge w/o a car?
Written July 14, 2016
There is a free transit shuttle from the Visitor Center (and/or Wilderness Access Center) that takes you to Savage River Loop Trail and back. It's about an hour each way, and an hour on the trail.
As someone else has mentioned, it's been closed the last few weeks due to some bear encounters, so you might want to try a different trail like Mt. Healy for good views and beautiful sights! You can always take the Savage River Shuttle ride without hiking the trail.
From your hotel, you should be able to get a free shuttle from the front desk to the park visitor center.
Written July 26, 2016
I saw a review that reported the hotel had a bed bug problem and had photos of the critters. Has the outbreak/infestation reported by that guest been thoroughly resolved? Thanks!
Written June 30, 2015
Any suggestions on how to get to the Savage River trail head without a car in mid May before the park shuttle opens?
Written August 22, 2018
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