Wonder Lake Campground

Pack your tent, catch a park shuttle bus, and ditch the RV scene on an 85-mile ride to Denali's furthest campground from the park entrance. Open solely to tent campers, this 28-site campground offers awe-inspiring views of Denali for those lucky enough to catch a break in the clouds (a relatively rare occurance). Wonder Lake Campground is deep within the park, and it provides a great wilderness alternative to those not ready to jump off a bus into the Alaskan backcountry with bears. There's no shortage of wildlife in the vicinity, and it's common to encounter caribou, grizzly bears, and moose. With several fantastic hikes nearby, Wonder Lake is an outstanding area where you can immerse yourself in one of North America's last untamed wildernesses. Day trips to the northern end of Wonder Lake and Reflection Pond offer breathtaking views of Denali, and a nearby trail to the south meanders through thick underbrush and wild blueberries to the massive tundra drainage of McKinley River. The campground itself is very well maintained and provides substantial ammenities for such a remote location including running water, dish cleaning areas, food/bear lockers, and bathrooms. Note that a minimum stay of two to three days is suggested to improve your chances of catching a glimpse of Denali. Wonder Lake is in a very wet portion of the park, and mosquitos can be very thick in early summer; bring a head net and repellant.