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National Park Service caps Denali Park Road at 160 vehicles per day in final rule

By LexCircuit Desk · · AI-drafted, human-reviewed

The National Park Service published a final rule on October 16, 2026 (91 FR 65690, FR Doc. 2026-21222) amending the Denali National Park and Preserve special regulations at 36 CFR 13.930 and 13.932. No more than 160 motor vehicles may enter the restricted section of the Denali Park Road per 24-hour period during the visitor season, conforming the regulations to the park's Vehicle Management Plan implemented since 2012. The rule takes effect November 16, 2026.

Text (Federal Register) →

Key points

  • The restricted section runs from mile 14.8 at the Savage River Bridge to mile 87.9, north of Wonder Lake.Federal Register
  • Each westward passage through the gate counts toward the daily limit, including repeat passages by the same vehicle.Federal Register
  • The rule replaces the prior cap of 10,512 motor vehicle permits for travel during the visitor season.Federal Register
  • The visitor season always ends on the second Thursday after Labor Day; the September 15 fallback is deleted.Federal Register
  • A permit or other written authorization from the superintendent is still required to operate a motor vehicle on the restricted section.Federal Register
  • The Service received 161 comments on the May 18, 2026 proposed rule, 91 FR 28461; RIN 1024-AF11.Federal Register

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RegulationAlaskaU.S.Denali National Park and Preserve Vehicle Use Limit (NPS)EnvironmentalRegulatoryFor practitionersFor governance