Fairbanks to Denali by Rail

Our 3-1/2 hour train ride in the domed rail car was a spectacular introduction to the land north of Denali National Park. We followed the river most of the way, with snowy mountains in the distance (not Denali). We saw some Dall sheep (massive curled horns) high up on a ridge at one point, and some moose out in a meadow (pretty far away).

The train dropped us off at Denali where our hotel bus was waiting to bring us all up to the lodge. After lunch we caught the hotel shuttle to the park entrance where we took a 2+ mile hike around Horseshoe Lake. From the train we had seen two moose in the lake but they had moved on by the time we got there. We also saw loads of evidence of beavers but no critters. Very scenic and relaxing day. We’re meeting a couple from Boston for dinner whom we met while on the train.Read more