This is one of those "once in a lifetime" experiences, but be prepared to pay for it. Kantishna…read moreRoadhouse effectively offers you an Alaskan safari. Personal vehicles are only allowed into Denali National Park for about the first 25-30 miles. Kantishna is located at the end of the road at mile marker 92.5. So, to go beyond that 25-30 mile mark, which is where we saw most wildlife, you must be on a bus or plane. My friend and I booked a single room with two beds in early August. The total was $1100 per person for two nights. This included the round trip transportation to and from the park entrance, accommodations, guided activities, and most meals. I say "most meals" because we boarded the bus at 12 PM and we were not fed anything except a Nutri-grain bar and a bottle of water until we reached the roadhouse at 8 PM. For the amount of money we paid, even a sandwich on the bus would have been a nice touch. That said, we were warned to eat before we arrived. Even so, the very limited dining options at the Denali visitor center were closed due to Covid, and there are hardly any food options on the way to Denali. So you should be prepared to pack your own food, and a lot of it. The bus ride from the entrance to the Roadhouse will take a minimum of six hours. The travel time builds in 3-4 bathroom stops and accounts for wildlife viewing and photographing whenever they appear. Round trip, we saw a total of 12 bears, including one about 20 yard from the bus, 3 moose, several caribou, and golden and bald eagles. It should go without saying that wildlife viewing is not guaranteed. We just happened to get very lucky. In fact, the staff thought the 9 bears we saw on the way in may have been a record. Overall, the staff was very professional, the food was delicious and the accommodations were satisfactory. We were fed a beef stew the first night and had a choice of prime rib or lasagna the second night. We took a hike with a guide on the second day and were provided sandwiches. The guide was excellent and considerate of our needs and wishes as far as time and distance and when to stop and eat and return to the roadhouse. Other activities include fly fishing, biking, a nature walk, and a lecture night. Guests can also hop on a short 7 minute drive to learn more about the history of the roadhouse. There are also plenty of quiet spots by the river when you can do yoga or meditate. The only reason I am stuck on 4 stars is because I arrived hangry and because the guy I booked my stay with on the phone questioned why one of us didn't have the Covid vaccine. He then proceeded to provide incorrect information about having to take and produce a negative test result 72 hours before check-in. I told him he was wrong and that the test had to be taken within 72 hours of check-in, at which time he acquiesced. All in all, I highly recommend this experience and would certainly consider it a bucket list item.

baked alaska in all of its senses in a remote fly-in-only resort in denali, ak. NBD, fly in from…read moreafar. settle in, go for a hike take an alaskan wilderness safari, kayak on wonder lake and take in the breathtaking mt. denali (tallest peak in north america - another NBD) and when you're craving culinary magic, stop by the chef's lodge. maybe you'll even see a bear or a wolf! right @ kantishna roadhouse. it's been known to happen. kantishna roadhouse is a gateway to alaskan paradise. "wheels up!"