Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
Princess’s big riverside lodge at the gateway to Denali National Park. Here’s how the campus works, where to eat and how to plan your park day.
Your base camp for Denali
This is the largest of the Princess lodges, and it feels like a small riverside village: a main lodge with guest services and the tour desk, a row of restaurants and shops along a walking promenade, and guest buildings spread up the hill to Caribou Ridge. The Nenana River runs right below the decks, and the Alaska Railroad tracks run along the ridge above, so you’ll often see the train go by.
Most people come for one reason: the park. The entrance is about a mile away, and the lodge runs a daily park shuttle to the bus depot, visitor center and Horseshoe Lake for a small fee. A free property shuttle loops the campus, and a walking path leads to the restaurants and shops of Denali Square next door.
Formerly Harper Lodge Princess (opened 1987, renamed 1993).
Inside the stay
Where to eat
King Salmon Restaurant is the sit-down choice, with river views, prime rib and Alaska salmon and halibut, plus an a la carte breakfast. Fannie Q’s Saloon does a quick breakfast buffet and hearty saloon food until late, with outdoor seating. Grizzly Burger has the deck over the river, Lynx Creek Pizza & Pub is the log-cabin local favorite (it delivers to rooms), and River Run Espresso is the stop for coffee, the famous cinnamon roll and ice cream. Up at Caribou Ridge, Rapids Morning Express & Bar covers coffee in the morning and drinks in the evening.
The rooms & campus
Rooms come with two doubles, two queens or one king, and Princess tries to match the bed setup on your ship but can’t guarantee it. Some buildings have renovated rooms with walk-in showers, and Caribou Ridge (buildings A and B) has its own Great Room, bar and coffee counter with big river views. Wi-Fi works across the property. Some buildings have stairs to the second floor, so mention it early if that matters to you.
Into the park
Private cars can only drive the first stretch of the park road, so you see Denali National Park from a park-concession bus. Denali Explorer cruisetours include the Denali Natural History Tour, Denali Escorted cruisetours include the longer Tundra Wilderness Tour, and Denali Essentials tours don’t include a park tour, though you can add one. Your advisor can also request a switch to the other park tour. It’s always based on availability, so it’s best to ask as soon as possible.
More ways to explore
Rafting the Nenana River (scenic float or the whitewater canyon), flightseeing with a glacier landing, ATV and side-by-side trips, a zipline, fly fishing for Arctic grayling, sled dog kennel visits and the Music of Denali dinner theater all leave from here. Book through Princess in Manage Booking or with your advisor before you go, since flightseeing and popular trips fill up. The tour desk at the lodge can help once you arrive.
Tours that stay here
- Princess 2027 and 2028 cruisetours
- How long. 1 to 3 nights here, most often 2 nights.
- Want more time here? Some tours add an extra night. Tell your advisor and we’ll find the version that fits.
From our founderInside the lodge
Connecting the lower campus with Caribou Ridge, you’re going to find this beautiful waterfront pathway here. There’s nice little spots where you can sit, check out those amazing river views. Now keep in mind there’s also a shuttle that goes between the main lodge and all the way up here as well, so you can have a nice little stroll or you can take the transportation.
Before you go
- Your ship packages stay on the ship. Ship dining and beverage packages don’t apply on the land portion of any cruisetour, with any cruise line. Lodge meals and drinks are pay as you go unless your tour includes them, and Princess sells pre-paid land meal plans you can add up to 14 days before departure.
- You have options beyond the lodge. Guests who stay here often tell us they liked having a few more restaurants a short walk away in Denali Square, and the free property shuttle also stops at the neighboring Holland America lodge.
- Keep your day bag ready. Park tours and many excursions start early and may not be back before checkout on your last day. The main lodge has luggage storage, and your big bag travels ahead with Princess.
- Traveling with mobility needs? Tell your advisor; our accessibility specialist can help arrange it.
Plan with Harr Travel
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More of the land tour
The lodges, hotels and rail that make up an Alaska cruisetour. Your advisor can match the right combination to your trip.
