Kantishna

Deep in the heart of Denali National Park is a historic gold mining town, only accessible by shuttle service over Denali Park Road. Kantishna, an unincorporated community and former gold mining camp, lies at the junction of Eureka Creek and Moose Creek—making it the farthest point in Denali National Park that is accessible by road.

About Kantishna

Denali Park Road dead ends in the Kantishna Valley, and that’s where you’ll find the small community of Kantishna. Established as a gold mining town in 1905, it has withstood the changes to the area over the last century. Today, it remains a remote location with beautiful lodges that offer some of the most unique getaways in Alaska.

Visiting Kantishna

Once you make it through the 6+ hour trip down Denali Park Road to Kantishna, there are plenty of options for lodging and a true Alaskan experience. Many of the historic lodges here offer comfortable accommodations with hiking, naturalist programs, meals, and more—giving you plenty of opportunity to get out and explore the area.

History & Geography

In 1903, gold was found in the northern Kantishna Hills, as well as in Glacier Creek. This started a gold rush in the area, and prospectors began flooding into the Kantishna Valley through 1904. Claims were staked along the creeks and hills of the area, and by 1905, the town of Eureka was a thriving hub of the prospector community.

When a post office was established in Eureka in late 1905, the name of the town was officially changed to Kantishna. By 1906, many of the surrounding prospector communities were deserted as gold mining in the area dried up, and by 1913, only 35 people remained living here.

The town of Kantishna survived, however, and in 1985, mining here ceased when it was incorporated into Denali National Park.

Interesting Facts

The history of Kantishna in the Alaskan Gold Rush and its role today as one of the top Denali National Park experiences makes this town a fascinating place to visit. While it takes some planning to get there, it’s well worth the effort to step foot into Alaska’s history while exploring some of the most wild regions of the state.

• While the town’s name was changed from Eureka to Kantishna with the establishment of the post office, it wasn’t until 1944 that the Board on Geographic Names officially recognized the change.
• The historic Kantishna post office was the center of the gold mining community in the early 1900s, and today, the Kantishna Roadhouse lodge stands on the same historic site.
• As the end-point of Denali Park Road, no private vehicles can travel to Kantishna. Visitors must take a chartered flight or the NPS shuttle service and bus tours to access the town.
• On clear days, Denali is easily in view from Kantishna—making it one of the best places in the state for photographic opportunities of the towering mountain.

Points of Interest

There are few places in Alaska that get you as close to Denali as Kantishna, and traveling to this remote town is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the phenomenal views to the historic sites and tours through the best of Denali National Park, Kantishna is a top destination for adventure.