9 Best Denali Cabin Rentals: Where to Stay in Denali

When exploring Denali National Park, stay true to the wilderness experience by eschewing hotels in favor of more traditional Denali cabin rentals. Rustic-chic cabins offer a more natural refuge for when it’s time to relax and unwind.

Stand atop your cabin deck and sip a cup of coffee while beholding the boreal forest. Flanked on all sides by towering mountains and braided river valleys, Denali cabin rentals put nature front and center, so you never stray away from the wild side, but this doesn’t come at the expense of modern comforts. 

Denali’s modern cabins are replete with amenities to guarantee a relaxed and comfortable stay. If you need a place to rest between your outdoor adventures, a splendid array of cabin options within the national park and near its borders exist. 

Unfortunately, there’s a long list of Denali, Alaska cabin rentals to choose from, so shopping for the best accommodations may prove to be complicated.

To help you in your quest for the best Denali cabin rentals, I whittled down the list to include only those with prime locations, quality amenities, and service, as well as outstanding customer reviews. 

Pack your travel bag and get ready for a memorable wilderness adventure. Here are the best Denali cabin rentals in Alaska. 

1. This charming 2-bedroom cabin in Healy

Address: Healy, Alaska

Features: 

• Two bedrooms
• One bathroom
• Sleeps 4
• Living room, dining area

Going on a family vacation? Located just 11 miles north of Denali National Park and half a mile off of the Parks Highway, this charming VRBO two-bedroom cabin offers everything you and your family need for a relaxing experience.

The cabin’s owner built this cabin himself, taking great care in crafting its rustic interiors.  With two bedrooms and one attached bathroom residence, this 700 square-foot cabin comfortably sleeps four in its two twin beds and one queen bed. Additional amenities include a living room, microwave, a Keurig coffee maker, and a kitchen replete with appliances.  

The cabin’s main draw, however, is its prime location in Healy and its proximity to points of interest. Nearby, you’ll find a plethora of restaurants, a local coffee shop, a convenience store, a local brewery, a variety of local trails, and an Alaskan lake. 

Guests particularly loved the property’s cleanliness, its close location to restaurants and groceries, and the accommodating host who’s more than happy to offer you a list of restaurant recommendations. 

See Related: Best Hotels in Fairbanks, Alaska

2. This modern log cabin with spectacular park views

Address: Healy, Alaska

Features: 

• One king bed (with additional roll-away beds)
• One bathroom
• Sleeps 5
• Dining area, deck, kitchen

Looking to get in touch with nature? This modern log cabin from VRBO, so remote that its owners claim it to be the ‘last power pole’ in the neighborhood is situated in the middle of pristine wilderness. It’s located just 10 miles north of Denali National Park entrance road.

Expect breathtaking views of the Northern Alaska Range and Mt. Healy the moment you step outside your door.  If you’re lucky, you’ll catch sightings of the wilderness’ local inhabitants. So closely located to nature is this cabin that animal sightings, including fox, lynx, moose, caribou, and snowshoe hares, are not uncommon. 

Come during June and July when wildflowers thrive or visit during August and September when blueberries are ripe for picking right out the cabin’s door. 

Great for families, this log cabin features two floors. The upper floor features a kitchen, dining table, and sofa that doubles as a queen bed with a memory foam mattress.

The lower floor houses a modern bathroom and a bedroom with a king-sized pillowtop bed. A roll-away bed is also available for a fifth guest.  

Though remote, these Denali cabin rentals don’t skimp on creature comforts with high-speed wireless internet, an HDTV with DirectTV, and an AT&T 4G network that offers a strong signal. An outdoor deck and BBQ are also available. 

See Related: Best Places to Visit in Alaska

3. Denali Cabins

Address: 229 George Parks Highway, McKinley Park 

Features: 

• Various sized cabins
• Complimentary wifi
• Complimentary shuttle to Denali National Park
• On-site restaurant
• Outdoor hot tubs and on-site sauna 

Why book a hotel in Denali when you can stay in a cabin and in touch with nature? Just eight miles south of Denali National Park entrance and within its spectacular landscapes is Denali Cabins –  a lodging site with over 46 private cedar cabins situated within the wild boreal forest of Alaska.

Each of these Denali cabin rentals is equipped with little luxuries like flat-screen TVs with cable channels, complimentary toiletries, and private bathrooms with full baths.

Cabins are connected to two outdoor hot tubs, the central lodge, an on-site restaurant, and a firepit via wood plank walkways and gravel paths, replicating the look and feel of a little town tucked away in the woods.

Denali Cabins offers a variety of rooms and rates. Couples will have all the comfort they need in a one-bed Classic Cedar Cabin, while bigger families may book a spacious Deluxe Family Cabin with two extra-long full-sized beds and a separate living area. 

With the Cabin and Adventure package, you can also add a wildlife and sightseeing tour with their overnight stay – a great deal if you’re looking to explore Denali Park Road. Best of all, Denali Cabins offers a free shuttle service to and from Denali National Park! 

See Related: Best Restaurants in Fairbanks, Alaska

4. McKinley Creekside Cabins

Address: Mile 224 George Parks Hwy, McKinley Park,

Features:

• Wood-furnished cabins of varying sizes
• Complimentary wifi
• On-site restaurant
• Tours and adventures

Cabin rentals near Denali National Park often bunch tours and adventures together with their lodging options. McKinley Creekside Cabins offers everything guests need to get the fullest Alaskan experience. 

Situated just 15 minutes south of the Denali National Park entrance, this rustic lodge along Carlo Creek offers 45 Denali cabin rentals – 13 of these were newly constructed in 2019, while the remaining have been remodeled. Cabins range from the 224 sq. ft Creekside Cabin that sleeps two people to the more spacious 384 sq. ft Family Cabin that sleeps six. 

This locally-owned lodge does not skimp on creature comforts. All cabins are equipped with a private covered deck, microwave, refrigerator, and complimentary wireless internet. While the lodging encourages disconnecting from technology to get the fullest Denali experience, you can also book a Homestead Lodge room with television and air conditioning. 

For dining, McKinley Creekside Cabins is home to Creekside Cafe, a popular on-site cafe and bakery that’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

This adventure Denali cabin rental also assists its guests with booking Denali tours and adventures, including flightseeing, photography tours, custom hikes, and jeep excursions. 

Do note that there is no reliable shuttle or taxi service that will take you to and from Denali National Park. The lodging recommends renting a car from a local rental company that provides free pick-up from the train station in Denali National Park. 

See Related: Alaska Railroad Review

5. Denali Grizzly Bear Resort

Address: Mile 231.1 George Parks Highway, McKinley Park, 

Features:

• Heated cabins of various sizes
• 30 minutes of complimentary wifi
• Hot token-operated private showers & laundromat
• Propane RV filling station
• General store 

If you’re looking for authentic Denali cabin rentals, Denali Grizzly Bear Resort is the closest you’ll ever get.  While other accommodations offer only reproductions of authentic Alaska cabins, this family-owned resort claims to have original ‘turn-of-the-century’ buildings that have been sent straight to their park for restoration. These Denali cabin rentals are situated amid verdant wilderness with the backdrop of rivers and snowcapped mountains. 

Cabins come in various sizes, from basic sleeping cabins that sleep two to premier cabins that can sleep six. While the more affordable options lack bathrooms, there are centralized restroom facilities and a laundromat nearby. All cabins have linen and drive-up parking spaces. Most cabins are also equipped with cable TV.

Denali Grizzly Bear Resort offers a convenient location for your outdoor activities with its strategic location on Parks Highway just next to Denali National Park’s south entrance. Restaurants, hiking trails, ATV tours, and river rafting tours are also located nearby.

See Related: Best Things to do in Fairbanks, Alaska 

6. Tonglen Lake Lodge

Address: Mile 230 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve

Features: 

• Luxurious private cabins
• Oversized  showers
• Heated bathroom floors
• On-site restaurant

If you’re looking for a fancier experience than other Denali cabin rentals may offer, Tonglen Lake Lodge is one of the best Alaska cabin rentals near Denali. This family-owned accommodation is situated in Denali National Park and is tucked away and flanked on all sides by the snow-capped peaks of the Alaska Range. 

Tonglen Lake Lodge is for travelers looking for a more sophisticated experience. The lodge’s Alaskan-style private luxury cabins sleep one to four people, and unlike other cabins in Denali, there are lots of space to move around in here.  

All private Denali cabin rentals feature cast iron hearths, king-sized beds, heated bathroom tile floors, and oversized showers. Futons may be converted into queen-sized beds to accommodate more people. 

Efforts are made to make you stay an opulent experience. You’ll find chocolate on your pillows on your visit, while down comforters, Egyptian cotton sheets, and modern bathrooms are luxuries that may remind you of urban life. 

Breakfast is included in your stay in the lodge’s on-site cafe, which also serves up delicious pastries, a wide selection of fine wines, beers, and cocktails, and a special Alaskan-roasted Kaladi Brothers coffee. 

Tonglen Lake Lodge also assists its guests with their travel plans in Denali, from guided bus tours and flightseeing to rafting, fishing, and naturalist hikes, among others. 

7. Carlo Creek Cabins

Address: Mile 224 George Parks Highway, McKinley Park, 

Features: 

• Well-stocked cabins of different types
• Microwave, fridge, linens, and towels are offered in all cabins
• Clean shower houses
• Coin-operated laundry facility

Family-owned and operated since 1959, Carlo Creek Cabins have perfected its hospitality and services for all visitors in Alaska looking for a restful stay.

It’s located just 13 miles south of Denali National Park, just right by Denali Highway, so if you’re looking for accessible Denali rental cabins, this affordable lodging with handcrafted cabins will be one of your best choices. 

Carlo Creek winds through the property, so expect to be immersed in nature during your stay. While the lodge is remote, it isn’t without urban comforts. You’ll find many restaurants around the area, and free Wi-Fi is offered within the property. 

Budget-conscious travelers will be happy to know that Carlo Creek Cabins offers various cabin rentals near Denali National Park – from affordable options with a shared shower house to more spacious cabins with their own private bathrooms.

All cabins are situated within the woods and feature dark curtains, covered porches, microwave, fridge, and housekeeping service. 

See Related: Best Denali Helicopter Tours

8. Denali Park Village

Address: Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Features: 

• Comfortable cabins that sleep two
• Complimentary shuttle services
• Laundry facility
• Wifi access 
• Various dining options

If you’re looking for a convenient cabin rental at Denali National Park, Denali Park Village offers not just proximity to the adventures Denali has in store but a wealth of top-notch amenities to ensure a relaxing stay as well. 

Just 7 miles from the Denali National Park entrance, Denali Park Village is a sprawling 20-acre accommodation situated amidst verdant spruce trees and by the flowing Nenana River.

Guests can ride the complimentary shuttle to access the Denali Visitor’s Center, Wilderness Access Center, Explore Denali Rafting, and the Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater. 

Denali Park Village offers two types of Denali cabin rentals that sleep two: Village Cabins offer a full bathroom and one king bed, while the Village Deluxe Cabins are newly remodeled in 2014 and feature all the amenities of Village Cabins, but posh additions of slippers and plush robes. All cabins are replete with room amenities such as coffee makers, phones, televisions, alarm clocks, hairdryers, and private bathrooms. 

Relax by the outdoor deck and watch the Nenana River flowing by. Pass by the lodge’s two gift shops for travel gifts, then pass by the Gold Rush Dining Room or Lucky Miss Saloon for a bite to eat. You’ll find a plethora of activities close by, from rafting and hiking to getting a massage or watching a dinner theater. 

9. Cabins at Denali 

Address: Milepost 238, George Parks Highway

Features: 

• Spacious, well-appointed cabins
• Convenient location near Denali National Park
• Discount for rafting trips

This Denali state park cabin rental by the bank of the Nenana River offers a relaxing respite from your outdoor activities. It’s located less than a mile north of the Denali National Park entrance at Milepost 237.5, so if you’re looking for Denali cabin rentals that will put you at the heart of the action, Cabins at Denali is a fantastic option. 

Cabins at Denali only offers two Denali cabin rentals, a loft, and three mini-condos, and while the options are limited, the views are unrivaled. Perched on a hillside by the Nenana River, all of the accommodations cabins offer unobstructed sceneries of the wilderness with nature sounds from the rushing glacier below. 

Great for families, Cabins at Denali offers 1,000 square feet of cabins that comfortably sleep six with a max occupancy of eight people. They come with four double beds in an open room dormitory-style layout, a sleeper sofa, a private bathroom, two covered porches, a kitchenette, and other basic amenities such as a mini-refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and outdoor gas grill. 

All guests get a discount on any raft trip with Nenana Raft Adventures – a great bonus if you’re looking to explore the Nenana River close by. 

Tips before exploring Denali National Park

Get travel insurance.

When exploring any part of Alaska, travel insurance is greatly recommended to cover unexpected medical issues, accidents, disruptions, and natural disasters.

Sign up for reputable insurance providers like SafetyWing, Travelex, Aardy, or TravelInsurance.com. 

Rent a car to save money and have more freedom.

If you’re exploring the Denali, having a car gives you more flexibility in your activities, lodging, and photo opportunities. Having your own vehicle is also a lot cheaper than going on flights, or taking the Alaska Railroad. Book a ride from car rental services like Alamo, National, or RentalCars. 

Understand the expenses.

First-time travelers may be surprised at Alaska’s exorbitant costs, but this is all within reason. Many of what travelers consume in the state have to be shipped or flown in, which affects the price of lodging, food, and activities.

To cut costs, you can visit during shoulder season, book accommodations from booking deal sites like Booking.com, VRBO, or Getaway, and, as previously mentioned, rent a car. 

Know which season you’re visiting.

Summer is the most popular time to travel to Alaska, while winter comes second with its chances of seeing the aurora. Fall and winter are shoulder seasons, which offer excellent opportunities to explore if you’re looking to stay away from the crowds. Use this information to plan your trip accordingly! 

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