Wild Wanderers Almanac
Denali National Park History
Exploring Denali National Park History
Denali National Park and Preserve, spanning over six million acres in Alaska, is a testament to the enduring relationship between humans and the natural world. Its history is rich with cultural significance, conservation efforts, and evolving policies that reflect the changing attitudes toward wilderness preservation.
Long before it became a national park, the land that is now Denali was home to Indigenous peoples, including the Koyukon Athabaskans. For thousands of years, they lived in harmony with the land, relying on its resources for sustenance and spiritual fulfillment. The mountain at the heart of the park was known as “Denali,” meaning “The High One,” a name that reflects its towering presence and cultural importance .
The Push for Preservation
In the early 20th century, concerns over the impact of hunting and development on Alaska’s wildlife led to calls for conservation. Naturalist Charles Sheldon, after observing the region’s Dall sheep, advocated for the establishment of a protected area. His efforts culminated in the creation of Mount McKinley National Park in 1917, named after President William McKinley .
Expansion and Recognition
Over the years, the park underwent significant changes. In 1980, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act expanded the park’s boundaries and renamed it Denali National Park and Preserve, honoring the Indigenous name of the mountain and acknowledging the area’s broader ecological significance.
This expansion not only increased the park’s size but also introduced new management practices that balanced conservation with traditional subsistence activities, allowing Indigenous communities to continue their cultural practices within the park’s boundaries.
A Landscape of Challenges and Beauty
Denali’s rugged terrain and extreme weather have long posed challenges to explorers and visitors. The park’s only road, a 92-mile stretch leading to Kantishna, was completed in 1938 after years of arduous construction. Today, access beyond mile 15 is restricted to park buses, a measure implemented in 1972 to protect the delicate environment from the impact of private vehicles.
The park’s diverse ecosystems, ranging from taiga forests to alpine tundra, are home to a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. These species, once threatened by overhunting and habitat loss, now thrive under the park’s protective measures.
The Name Controversy
The mountain’s name has been a subject of debate for decades. While the federal government officially named it Mount McKinley in 1917, Alaskans and Indigenous communities continued to refer to it as Denali. In 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior officially restored the name Denali, recognizing its cultural significance .
However, in 2025, an executive order aimed to revert the name back to Mount McKinley, sparking controversy and opposition from Alaskan leaders and Indigenous groups who emphasized the importance of honoring the original name .
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