Drivers tackle Denali Park Road: road-lottery winners venture onto scenic route.

• Author: Pounds, Nancy
• Position: Alaska This Month

This month some Alaskans will boldly go where few drivers can--Denali National Park and Preserve. The four-day road lottery event is the only time private vehicles can drive the rugged 92mile park road, which is usually only open to only concessionaire tour buses and park vehicles.

From Sept. 16-19, hundreds of private vehicle drivers, who were chosen by lottery, will navigate the park road. The road abounds with opportunities for up-close wildlife viewing and capturing shots of North America's tallest peak, Mount McKinley.

People visiting the park during the lottery event can travel the narrow road of colorful Polychrome Pass with its steep drop-off or scan alpine slopes to spot grizzly bears or Dall sheep.

ALASKAN OPPORTUNITY

Most lottery participants are Alaskans, since the visitor season has concluded by mid-September, said Kris Fister, park public affairs officer.

"I believe folks who participate feel it's a great opportunity to experience the park on their own schedule, after the busyness of the main visitor season," Fister said.

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Each day of the road lottery, 400 vehicles are allowed on the park road during road lottery with day-use permits.

September in Denali Park offers variety. Bright fall colors have usually faded by September, but lottery participants may enjoy berry picking or glimpses of late-fall flowers, she said.

Weather affects the number of lottery participants, she noted. Last year, lottery drivers scored big and a record number of 1,434 vehicles ventured onto the park road, she said.

"All four days were clear, and it was warm enough that those of us working it were wearing short-sleeved uniform shirts, no jackets needed," Fister said. "None of us can ever remember having four days like that."

Snow can hinder road-lottery drivers, requiring park officials to dispatch the plows or close the road.

"I remember more white road lotteries than those without snow," Fister said.

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DON'T FORGET NEXT YEAR

The lottery-road event typically runs the second Friday to Monday weekend after Labor Day. Next year's dates are Sept. 14-17. Applications with a $10 fee are accepted online during June at www.recreation.gov under the permits section. The automated random drawing is conducted by mid-July. Winning lottery participants pay a $25 single-day road travel permit fee. Participants also pay the $20 per vehicle park entrance fee.

Denali National Park, totaling more than 6 million acres, was...