Free shuttle service from the Denali Bus Depot to the Savage River in Denali National Park begins July 1 and will run four times daily, according to Wednesday release from Denali National Park and Preserve.
The first shuttle leaves the depot at 9:50 a.m. and makes stops at the Denali Visitor Center, Park Headquarters, Mountain Vista, Savage Campground and Savage River in addition to the depot.
For access to the park’s Mountain Vista and Savage River areas, visitors are encouraged to park at the visitor center and take the shuttle to avoid congested parking areas. Mid-morning parking at Savage River is often at capacity by mid-morning, according to the park service.
Per guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, face masks are required on shuttles. Additionally, shuttles only have spaces for two bicycles and visitors will not be allowed to ride on the back of shuttles.
The shuttle’s last departure from Savage River is at 5 p.m. and the last departure from Mountain Vista is at 5:13 p.m., for visitors interested in hiking the Savage Alpine and Savage River Loop Trails.
In all, three free bus lines run around the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve to help visitors travel from the visitor center and other facilities, including the Savage River Shuttle, the Riley Loop Shuttle and the Sled Dog Demonstration Shuttle.
More information about shuttles in Denali National Park and Preserve can be found on the National Park Service website at nps.gov/dena.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
