Review: The Denali Star Train Route in Alaska

Photo credit: Garrett Bentley​

Onboard Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star train, the lush summer greenery of the Alaskan tundra flashed by my window, offering incredible views of a rugged, isolated and awe-inspiring place.  

Taking a rail trip across the 49th state is a special and unique way to travel. On the train, passengers are immersed in a slower pace of travel, but once disembarked, adventure awaits. My five-day journey onboard the Denali Star took me from Anchorage to Talkeetna to Denali, with stops along the way for one-of-a-kind experiences. Though the package is named “Just the Basics,” I would say this summer route is anything but. Here’s what to expect on the journey, which is available from mid-May through early September.  

Details About Denali Star Train Classes and Excursions 

Onboard the train, there are two passenger classes: standard Adventure Class and GoldStar Service.  

The premium class features GoldStar train cars with special open-air viewing platforms and reserved, second-floor seats with enormous dome-like windows. Meals and soft drinks are also included in this class, as are two alcoholic beverages per journey. For a more upscale experience and a better view, recommend clients book GoldStar Service.

Clients will begin their trip with an overnight stay in Anchorage. They will then travel to Talkeetna for one night, followed by two nights in Denali National Park. At each location, passengers can take exciting excursions, at an extra cost; have clients choose and reserve their selections in advance. The number of excursions each city hosts varies, but can be explored online via Alaska Railroad. At least half a dozen excursions are available to book in both Talkeetna and Denali National Park. 

Exploring the Village of Talkeetna  

The three-hour ride from Anchorage to Talkeetna features views of the Knik River and the Chugach Mountains. Once we arrived at the Talkeetna station around 11 a.m., we were greeted by shuttles that took passengers to their overnight accommodations.  

Talkeetna is known as the basecamp town for Mount Denali climbers; for me, visiting Talkeetna meant the chance to take to a scenic flight with K2 Aviation. Flights are weather-dependent, but whether clients are landing on a glacier or taking a scenic flight tour of the park (with a peek at Denali, if they’re lucky), it’s a powerful experience. Denali is the tallest mountain in North America (at 20,310 feet), and it is said that only one out of every three visitors gets to see it due to cloud cover. I was thrilled to be one of the fortunate few. 

We also cruised down the Susitna River with Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures, stopping for a nature walk to explore a re-creation of a Denaina Native encampment and a trapper’s cabin. It was a fascinating way to learn about history and native and local life, from an educated guide and naturalist. 

Also advise clients to just take time to wander through the artsy town of Talkeetna. The village has plenty of places to stop and eat, including local and visitor favorite Denali Brew Pub, which is open year-round. 

Once the day came to an end, I stayed overnight at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, a cozy home base with miles of trails to explore. Our dinner at the on-site Foraker Restaurant was a nice balance of casual and sophisticated, with fresh provisions. I enjoyed fresh Alaskan halibut paired with a fireweed cocktail (made with local fireweed flowers, which sprout near the end of summer).  

What to Expect in Denali National Park 

We traveled north toward Denali National Park next. En route, the railroad tracks peel away from the road and the train travels toward the backcountry; the change delivers views of the Indian River and a sprinkle of remote “dry cabins” (homes with no running water). Clients will also admire the stunning sights of Hurricane Gulch and the Alaska Range.   

Once disembarked in Denali, a shuttle whisked us to Denali Bluffs Hotel, a warm, rustic lodge set on a hill overlooking the scenery in the well-known tourist hub of Glitter Gulch. Because the village hotels all operate individual shuttles and many tour companies pick travelers up from their hotel for excursions, there’s no need to worry about transportation here.  

My own adventure with Tundra Wilderness Tour had a 5:30 a.m. pickup time, but it was worth the early start (and even at that time it was still broad daylight, since Alaskan summers bring the “midnight sun”). The 5.5-hour excursion winds through the park, stopping to see various landmarks and spot wildlife. The “big five” in the park are moose, bears, Dall sheep, caribou and wolves. Our group was lucky enough to spy a grizzly bear with two cubs, a moose cow and its calf and another grizzly bear wandering alone through the brush.  

After the tour, we dined at Prospector’s Pizzeria & Alehouse in Glitter Gulch, which has dozens of drinks and pizza pies (including gluten-free and veggie options). Have clients explore the village boardwalk’s quaint shops, which are great for souvenir shopping. 

In the evening, Denali Raft Adventures picked us up for its Wilderness Run rafting experience. We leisurely meandered 11 miles down the Nenana River, seeing nature that can only be enjoyed from the water.  

Another 7 a.m. wake-up call the next day was the start of a four-hour Denali Highway Jeep Excursions tour. We ventured 100 miles round-trip along remote roads, including the Denali Highway, for sights of glaciers and wildlife. An expert guide narrated the adventure. 

But one of my favorite experiences in Denali was visiting the Sled Dog Kennels inside the park. Guests are free to walk through the kennel grounds and ask rangers questions about the working dogs (demonstrations do occur, but in summer only).  

I learned that the cute and clever creatures (and their sleds) are a traditional method of transportation here, and one that has no negative impact on the park. The dogs can access park areas that man-made machines cannot. They also assist travelers who need to go to the backcountry, help park officials monitor trail conditions and haul freight across the snow for building and repairs.   

This article originally appeared on TravelAge West.