Talkeetna is a small town in Southcentral Alaska around 3 hours (by car) south of Denali National Park and Preserve.

Understand

Talkeetna is not legally a town or city, but a historic district with many older buildings, along with many vacation homes. As such there is no local government, other than the mayor, a cat who lives in the general store.

Climate

Talkeetna
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       1.4     22 6       1.5     28 9       1.1     36 14       1.3     46 26       1.6     59 37       1.9     67 47       3.4     69 52       5.1     65 48       4.3     56 39       2.9     41 26       1.6     27 12       1.9     24 8 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches    Data from NOAA (1981-2010)
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       36     −6 −14       38     −2 −13       28     2 −10       33     8 −3       41     15 3       48     19 8       86     21 11       130     18 9       109     13 4       74     5 −3       41     −3 −11       48     −4 −13 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Get in

By plane

• 1 Talkeetna Airport (TKA  ^IATA). Is home to several air taxi companies that provide flight seeing trips and support for mountain climbers. Many of the air taxi companies were started to ferry climbers from Talkeetna to Denali, as Talkeetna has the easiest access to the south side of the mountain where the main base camp is located.  

By car

Through George Parks Highway, the main road from Anchorage to Fairbanks.

By train

The town is also a stop on the Alaska Railroad, on the Denali Star.

Get around

Talkeetna itself is very walkable and pedestrian friendly. A great place to get out of your car.

See

Weather permitting, flightseeing out of Talkeetna will take you around North America's tallest peak, Denali.

• K2 Aviation, Talkeetna Airport, ☏ +1 907 733-2291. Flightseeing of different mountains, glaciers and climbing routes of Denali, offers glacier and lake landings. Associated with Rust's Flying Service, operating since 1963. 
• Talkeetna Air Taxi. Offers flight seeing and glacier landings. 

Do

Rafting and kayaking trips leave daily from Talkeetna.

As the town nearest to Denali, it is a jump-off point for climbing enthusiasts. If you are up for the climb, air taxi service is available from Talkeetna for the sure-footed, intrepid adventurers that are going to climb Denali, Hunter or Foraker.

• 1 Denali Zipline Tours. 
• Denali Guides & Outfitters, ☏ +1 970 733-2566. Offers professionally guided hunting trips. 
• Wings and Paws (off Montana Creek Spur), ☏ +1 907 733-7297. Dog sled day tours by a retired Naval Aviator and Iditarod competitor. Cash only. 
• Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station, 22241 S. B Street, ☏ (907) 733-2231NOCC. 9AM-4PM daily. If you are pondering climbing the highest peak in North america, this is your first stop. Plan your trip, talk to rangers who have been there, buy your permits, etc. There are also interpretive displays for people who prefer to just look at the mountain and not climb it Free to visit. (updated May 2024)

Buy

• Nagley's Store, 13650 E Main St, ☏ 907-733-3663NOCC. 7:30AM-9PM. A trip to Talkeetna is not complete without a trip into Nagleys store. Meet the mayor, if she's awake and in the mood. General merchandise, and a taste of old Alaska. Go upstairs if you dare. 

Eat

• Flying Squirrel Bakery Cafe (Talkeetna Bakery), Mile 11 Talkeetna Spur Rd (three miles out of town), ☏ +1 907 733-NUTS (6887). Casual counter service cafe with fresh whole grain breads, sweet and savory deli-style items, wood fired brick oven and organic Alaska roasted espresso. 
• Mountain High Pizza Pie, Main St, ☏ +1 907 733-1234. Pizza and a fun place to meet locals. 
• Talkeetna Roadhouse, Main St. Great place to eat with its own bakery. Atmosphere is very informal with shared family-style seating. 
• Denali Brewpub, 13605 E Main St. (right in the middle of the historic district.), ☏ (907) 733-2537NOCC. 11AM-10PM. Serves specialty sandwiches, burgers, and specialities, paired with Denali Brewing Company's locally-brewed beers. $8-$25. (updated May 2024)

Drink

• The West Rib cafe and Pub, 13650 E Main St, ☏ +1 907-733-3354. Make sure to try the infamous Ice Axe Ale made especially for The West Rib. Containing 11% alcohol by volume, you can only order two glasses, unless you buy a pitcher. Great burgers and Alaska salmon and halibut sandwiches served daily throughout the summer. Located behind Historic Nagleys Store, this funky little pub has a great outdoor deck as well as indoor seating. Eleven microbrews on tap, mostly from Alaskan breweries. The place is filled with historic and climber related stuff. Fun to explore and you can write your name on certain walls. 
• Denali Brewing Tasting Room, 37083 Talkeetna Spur Rd (2 miles (3.2 km) from the Parks Highway on Talkeetna Spur Road), ☏ (907) 733-2536NOCC. Noon-8PM daily. An employee-owned brewery and tasting room. Denali's mainline beers are sold throughout Alaska, but you have to go to the source for some of the specialty items available here, and it is worth the trip. Also has pizza and a vast selection of branded merchandise. $6-20. (updated May 2024)

Sleep

Budget

• Talkeetna Hostel International, I St (off of mile 99 of the Parks Highway), ☏ +1 907 733-4678, fax: +1 907 733-4679, info@talkeetnahostel.com. $27 - $75 per night (Bunk bed, shared room: $27 - linens $3 extra, Private double: $60/night, Private single: $75/night). 
• Traleika Mountaintop Cabins. Two unique Alaskan vacation homes for your exclusive use. The mountaintop location provides unparalleled views of Denali and its neighboring peaks. from $165. 
• Talkeeta Chalet. B&B with views of Denali from the upstairs common room. starting from $80 (winter, small room). 
• Latitude 62. Small motel with restaurant and bar a few blocks south of downtown. Rooms are clean but very small, prices reasonable. 

Splurge

• Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Mile 12.5 Talkeetna Spur Rd, ☏ +1 907 733-9500, fax: +1 907 733-9545, info@talkeetnalodge.com. Beautiful lodge located in the woods on a hill above Talkeetna. Observation deck with view of the complete Denali Mountain Range. Free transfer to and from the train station as well as to the town of Talkeetna. $219 - $395/night (Mountain Side), $169 - $295 (Main Lodge), $149 - $265 (Guest Lodge). 

Go next

• Denali National Park. Home of North America's tallest mountain, Denali is a scenic and wildlife paradise.