Introduction / Description
On the southeastern corner of Denali State Park near the Chulitna River, this secluded, seasonal wilderness lodge overlooks Mt. McKinley and is 47.9 miles from the nearest town of Talkeetna, Alaska.
There's a cafe, a bar and 2 restaurants, plus several communal sitting areas, an outdoor deck with views of the park and a tour desk for booking optional excursions. WiFi is free in the main lodge. A shuttle service makes daily trips to and from Talkeetna (fee).
From the moment you arrive at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge in Denali State Park, you know you’re somewhere special. Located south of the National Park near the Chulitna River, Mt. McKinley Lodge is a true wilderness retreat with a host of recreational activities, exceptional amenities, and awesome views of Denali.
Arrival & Car Parking
The lodge itself boasts excellent access, with plenty of accessible parking and barrier-free access to the main lodge.
Accessible Rooms & Bathrooms / Accessibility
Inside the main lodge building there’s good access to the North Fork Restaurant, the Base Camp Bar (don’t miss the deck view), the Coffee Bruin Espresso Bar, the gift shop and the front desk.
There’s also barrier-free access and wheelchair seating available in the nearby Hudson Theater, which features a grand production of the aurora borealis set to music. The 20,320 Alaskan Grill, which is also close to the main lodge building, offers equally good access, and includes a menu filled with Alaskan favorites. And if you can’t manage the walk to these — or any — places, a wheelchair-accessible on-property shuttle is available to all guests.
This property boasts a variety of accessible guest rooms in 22 buildings that are scattered throughout the wooded grounds. All of the accessible rooms have wide doorways, good pathway access and lowered clothing rods.
Room 111, which is located close to the main lodge in Building 1, is furnished with a 22 inch high queen-sized bed and a twin bed, with an access aisle between them. Other furnishings include a table with two chairs and a chest of drawers. The spacious bathroom includes a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. Round it out with a roll-under sink and a set of toilet grab bars on the back and right walls (as seated), and you have a very accessible space.
If you’d prefer an accessible suite, Room 1903 is a very good — and spacious — choice. The bedroom includes a 25-inch high king-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides, a desk and a chair, and a chest of drawers. The adjacent bathroom is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars and a hand-held showerhead; as well as a jetted tub with a grab bar. The toilet grab bars are located on the back and right walls (as seated), and the bathroom also has a roll-under sink.
This suite includes a 14-inch high sleeper sofa in the living room, along with a dining table and chairs, an easy chair and a coffee table. This room is perfectly suited for a small family or for someone traveling with an attendant.
Last but not least, room 2502 is furnished with a king-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides. The bathroom is outfitted with a tub/shower combination with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold-down bench on the far end of the tub. The toilet grab bars are located on the right and back walls (as seated), and the bathroom also includes a roll-under sink.
The housekeeping closet has toilet seat riser, shower chairs and shower benches that can be used in any room, upon request. A limited number of medical refrigerators are available, and refrigerated medicine can also be stored at the front desk. Additionally, all employees receive training in disability etiquette and awareness. Bottom line — the the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge is a very welcoming and accessible place to stay, so make sure and add it to your next Alaska itinerary.
