Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
4.5
#1 of 1 lodge in Denali Park
Location
4.6
Cleanliness
4.5
Service
4.6
Value
4.3
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
This property has identified as Women-owned.
Tripadvisor allows businesses to update and manage their attributes and details, but does not verify the accuracy of this information.
We cater to independent travelers and small groups looking for clean, reasonably accommodations with comfortable beds that are close to Denali National Park. All of our rooms and cabins are simple yet tastefully decorated. We have cabins that cater to couples only and family friendly units. TRANSPORTATION: Sorry NO Shuttle/taxi service-you must have your own vehicle.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English
Location
224 Parks Highway, Denali Park, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK 99755
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Nestled by a picturesque creek, McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café offers a cozy retreat that many guests cherish for its comfortable ambience and clean, welcoming spaces. The spacious rooms, complete with handy amenities like fridges and coffeemakers, receive high marks for comfort.
Reviewers frequently commend the friendly staff and the personal touches that enhance the service experience. While some visitors note the 20-minute distance from Denali's entrance and the café's prices, the overall value and tranquil setting are well-regarded, making it a favored spot for those seeking a serene getaway.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Satisfying
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Well-appointed
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveler reviews and learn more about how the site works.
We stayed just one night in one of the creekside cabins. Very clean, comfortable and quiet. Only heard the rushing stream and the in-room heater, although all the cabins including the adjoining one were full. I do think this place is very expensive for what you get; there are few amenities, and while the room is nice, it's very basic. The room comes with a tiny cafe table, not enough room to really sit and write or use the table for anything more than a coffee. The room could also use a more comfy chair; there are two hard chairs and the bed only.
However, I'm giving 5 stars because in Denali the lodging options are all outrageously priced, and most don't have the relaxing location this one has. If you're into nature, but also might want to be social with other travelers, yet have privacy too, this is a good lodging option. Right next to a rushing creek, our cabin had a little covered porch to sit out on and watch the birds, relax. There are communal areas that we didn't partake of, like a firepit, some outdoor games, etc. which would be great in a non-epidemic year if you're into being social.
Nice landscaping and a tiny greenhouse and garden are fun to look at. But... bring your own booze; while they let you take wine and beer to your room from the restaurant, you could buy a good bottle for the price they charge for a mediocre glass of red. Room had fridge, micro, and simple but clean bathroom.
You're about 15 minutes drive from the national park entrance so you really must have a car. But after the crowds in the park, relaxing on the porch with a wine and watching the mountains change color as the sun sets, then rises next morning, very lovely. The scenery here can't be beat anywhere in Glitter Gulch.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Get a room next to the creek for prettiest view and the nice porch to sit on.
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.
Definitely stay in a creek side cabin if possible. They are cozy but still quite roomy. The cabins have been updated recently. There is a small fridge in the room (not a mini) that fits a good amount of food/drinks. There is also a microwave and a 4 cup coffee pot. They provide some paper plates/plastic utensils/napkins/coffee creamer. They really have though of everything! The bed was very comfortable and hearing the river flow right outside your door was so soothing. There are blackout curtains as well as a heater/air conditioning unit.
The restaurant and bakery were delicious! Fresh items everyday. They have a good menu selection of food and wines.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The staff were super friendly and helpful. We would definitely stay here again and recommend to our friends/family.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveler reviews.
The room and experience is all that one would expect it to be in this setting. We stayed in the newer two-story building and the room was big, the beds were comfortable and the views out of the windows were spectacular. If you are a social person, there was a fire pit next to the fast flowing stream to hang out and meet other “campers.” If you are not a social person, then you might enjoy the big screen TV to watch satellite programming.
But who has time for that when Denali National Park is just up the road and a small tourist trap town, Denali to get great food and trinkets to celebrate your hiking trail victories.
I would definitely recommend staying here. But be careful, you might find it difficult to leave.
There was a disappointment though. We originally booked a stand alone cabin and were expecting to stay in one. When we checked in they moved use to the two-story building. It would have been nice to have been notified prior to arriving so that we could anticipate the change.
If you like to sleep in, you should expect house keeping to knock on your door at an unreasonably early time, so be sure to put the “do not disturb” door hanger out before going to bed.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:If you can get a stand-alone cabin, closer to the
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.
We stayed 2 nights at McKinley Creekside. We stayed in the homestead section because we wanted 2 queen beds. The rooms were very large and immaculate. The only downside is rooms with 2 queens are not on the creek and don’t have much of a view. We did make use of the bakery for scones and muffins for early morning breakfasts before tours. Excellent! The cabins are right next to Panorama Pizza where many of the locals go and it happens to have amazingly good pizza! The cabins are about 15 minutes from the park entrance so we thought a great choice away from all the hotels owned by the cruise ships (though not an issue this year!) Most of the cabin -like stays in Alaska have been right off highways which is a bit of a surprise but didn’t detract from our stay as we spent much of the time outside and not in the hotel!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
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.
This cabin is a gem - about 15 mins drive outside of Denali, great service, great value. We stayed in a homestead room in July, and the room was SPOTLESS! I was very impressed by how clean our room was - a lot cleaner than the Hyatt we stayed at in Anchorage! They have shampoo, conditioner, and lotion you would actually buy for your own home, and they even left extra plates/utensils in the microwave in case you need to heat up extra food. Our beds were super comfortable, and did I mention how clean the room was?! We also got really yummy cookies upon arrival and a nice note from the cabin, which was a nice touch. We'll definitely come back to Creekside again for our next family trip to Denali, hopefully we can book a cabin next time around!
Read more
Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
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.
Response from Tracey Smith, Owner at McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café
Responded Aug 18, 2021
Thank you, so glad you had a outstanding stay and we hope to see you again!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed 3 nights in a Homestead lodge room, which was large and well appointed. Thoughtful touches made us feel right at home: costco size Pantene shampoo & conditioner & Lubriderm lotion, drip coffee maker with a large jar of ground coffee, paper plates & utensils in the microwave, kitchen towel, etc. We appreciated the fast Wifi & plentiful benches to set our suitcases & bags on. We visited the cafe daily. The baked goods are super delicious. The cafe staff is nice, fast & efficient. Reservations are a must for dinner, as they are very busy. We ordered the $15 to go lunches, but realized you can also buy the sandwiches and cookies a la carte in the morning. A very good stay!
Read more
Date of stay: July 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
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.
We stayed here nights in one of the Queen Creekside cabins. A lovely, private setting. The duplex cabin has a private porch with hanging basket and faces the creek. Can open windows at night for air and wonderful sounds. (The curtains are not blackout shades, so one should plan on having sleep masks if that’s likely to be an issue.) There are Adirondack chairs to share with other guests along the creek with mountain views and, while we were there, wildflowers. The entire grounds are littered with perennial beds and lovely, well-cared for planters. The cabin was simple and adequately comfortable. Small refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. There was no regular stay over service though we could request it. If requested, it didn’t come until after 4, making it rather inconvenient I would think for most people staying over since that’s when many would be returning to their room. We elected to just drop by the office for more coffee and/or fresh towels and made our own bed. There was internet that seemed reliable and adequate but no AT&T cell signal. No phone or tv. Would definitely stay there again. (We were only about five miles from the pickup location for the Denali Backcountry Adventure tour bus into the park, so it was convenient to drive there early in the morning to meet the bus.)
Read more
Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
Response from Tracey Smith, Owner at McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café
Responded Aug 12, 2021
Thank you, we appreciate you taking time to share your experience.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Looking back over our 4 weeks touring holiday of Alaska, this place and Denali National park were the highlight of our tour. You tend to think that when staying in Denali that you have to stay in the centre in an expensive, soulless property and eat out at an expensive or quick, cheap take out restaurant nearby. Staying at this property you are staying in a peaceful location, cozy room, lovingly prepared for you and just to walk a couple of feet to a small cafe serving great food from breakfast and dinner plus making the most wonderful pastries and cakes. Who could ask for more! Was the best food we had all holiday. The restaurant is by no means anything fancy, they did actually close early this season as they are completely rebuilding it but say they are not making it any larger than it is, I hope we get chance in the future to see what they have done. They offer different styles of room, we were in room 31 which suited us perfectly with a lovely comfortable king size bed, nice large room including fridge, microwave and toaster, old fashioned heater which warmed out room perfectly. We stayed 3 nights and sampled most of the menu and can recommend everything including the burger, Turkey pot pie, salads, salmon dishes and the salmon chowder. The only thing I would suggest is that when you book the room you also reserve a table for your evening meal and each evening I would highly recommend you reserve a table for breakfast the next day. They offer take out food for breakfast and evening meal if you don’t want to wait and you can also order a lunch sandwich to take with you to the park which you need to order the night before. It is 15 minutes drive from the park and at the moment there are road works which can add a good 20 minutes to your journey but would imagine that this will all be finished by the end of this year. Staying outside the park in a quiet location just completes the experience of staying in Denali, highly recommend this place.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
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.
We recently stayed in one of the McKinley Creekside shared wall Cabins and were very happy with the accommodations. The cabin was small but served our needs nicely. Queen bed, small two person table for eating a quick bite from the cafe or heated up in the microwave. Provided coffee maker, with coffee and condiments was nice. Small fridge allowed us to store food items and drinks. Bathroom is again small buts serves your needs, shower, vanity and sink, a little cramped if two are trying to get ready at the same time. We had luggage for an upcoming cruise but managed to creatively keep the living space uncrowded by using the provided drawers and space over the open closet to stash suitcases.
The hotel staff are very good, we called the night before seeking to get an early 2:30 check in as the normal 4:00pm check in time conflicted with our assigned Denali Wilderness tour. The staff said they'd ask housekeeping to prioritize us, which they did as we were able to check in at 2:30. We arrived around 1:30 and attempted to grab lunch at the Cafe as our room was not ready - NOT a good experience. Wait staff ignored us for 20-min, we then approached the counter to order food to go. Again Customer Service not a priority for the wait staff. We eventually ordered, got our food right as our room was ready. Took it to the cabin only to find the order was not prepared as requested. Went back to seek correction, wait staff argued with my wife about her order! All things considered, we'd stay in the cabins again, but cannot recommend patronizing the cafe. Dinner service may be a different story, our first impression had us seeking food elsewhere. The pizza place next door was great, good food, great service and full bar .
Read more
Date of stay: July 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Standard Cabins appeared all the same, the further away from the office the less foot traffic.
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.
Spent one night here on the return from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Stayed in the new lodge. Room was very large, beds were extremely comfortable (and I am hard to please), bathroom was well-appointed with lots of towels, plenty of hot water and great water pressure. Amenities such as shampoo were supplied. Hair dryer was awesome! Staff was fantastic-knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. There was a nice balcony to sit on and the grounds were tree-covered and very soothing to look at. Location makes it easy to access Denali NP. Our only disappointment was we only had one night there.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:Lodge rooms are very large.
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.
15 -20 minutes tops. Denali Park entrance is not far from McKinley Creekside Cabins and the Bus Depot is near the Park Entrance. It was very convenient for us plus Creekside has their own Cafe dine-in or you can purchase box lunches to take on the go. We will definitely stay there again on our return trip.
We do but I don’t have access to it now. I can tell you the only cabins located along the creek are the Creekside cabins and they all have one queen bed. Individual cabins with two queen beds are a 5 min walk to creek. Hope this helps.
There are more places to choose from in the Denali Park area.
PRICE RANGE
$212 - $354 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
mckinley creekside cabins hotel denali national park and preserve
LOCATION
United StatesAlaskaDenali National Park and PreserveDenali Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
45
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
