Denali National Park

In interior Alaska, about four hours from Anchorage, Denali National Park is built around the tallest mountain in North America, a 20,310 foot giant that makes its own weather and only shows itself when it wants to. Locals call seeing the summit the 30 percent club. The park road runs 92 miles into roadless wilderness, and the bus ride in is a rolling wildlife census, grizzlies, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep. June through early September is the season, when the road is open and the animals are out with their young.

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Why this one matters

The mountain is the whole drama. Denali hides behind its own weather for days, and when the clouds finally part, the 20,310 foot summit fills the windshield. The wildlife needs no such luck. The ride along the park road passes grizzlies digging for roots, caribou streaming across the tundra, and wolves if the day is generous.

Denali National Park

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