Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station
Facility · Alaska ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Knik Alaska Native Village Statistical Area (E1)
- 349 ft
- Elevation
Located in the town of Talkeetna, about 100 miles south of the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, this ranger station serves as the center of mountaineering operations. Climbers wishing to attempt Mount McKinley or other peaks in the Alaska Range stop here first, for an orientation to the mountain and to acquire their climbing permit.
This ranger station also offers some visitor services, particularly in summer. It is open year-round.
Getting there
The Talkeetna Spur Road is at Mile 100 on Highway 3. Drive down the Talkeetna Spur Road its full 15 mile length to the town of Talkeetna and look for the visitor center on B street.
62.32249, -150.11714 · 62°19'21.0"N 150°7'1.7"W
Typical weather
Typically 69°F in Jul, down to 22°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 22 | 28 | 35 | 47 | 59 | 67 | 69 | 65 | 56 | 42 | 28 | 23 |
| Low °F | 5 | 9 | 12 | 26 | 37 | 47 | 51 | 48 | 39 | 27 | 13 | 8 |
| Precip in | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 1.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station
- Can you reserve a site at Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station?
- No. Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Contact
- Phone (907) 733-2231
- Email dena_talkeetna_office@nps.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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