The Denali Visitors Center (daily 8 a.m.–6 p.m. mid-May–mid-Sept.) is at Mile 1.2 of the Park Road and right across from the railroad depot. Step inside to explore the exhibits, get oriented from the enormous relief map of the park, talk with the rangers, and view an extraordinary 20-minute film, Heartbeats of Denali.

Pick up a copy of Denali Alpenglow, the park newspaper, and check the bulletin board for a schedule of today’s guided walks, talks, and kids’ programs. Adjacent are an Alaska Natural History Association gift shop and Morino Grill, serving sandwiches, burgers, fish-and-chips, and pizzas.

On the other side of the traffic circle, the Murie Science and Learning Center (907/683-1269 or 888/688-1269, www.murieslc.org) promotes scientific research and education through youth camps, field seminars, and courses in the summer. In the off-season—when other facilities are closed—the Murie building becomes the winter park visitors center (daily 9 a.m.–4 p.m.). Check out the dinosaur track here that was found in the park.

Get park shuttle bus tickets and campground information at the Wilderness Access Center (daily 5 a.m.–8 p.m. mid-May to mid-Sept.), located a half-mile up the Park Road. The reservations desk opens at 7 a.m. While here you could also watch an 18-minute film about the park or buy snacks. This facility is run by the park concessionaire, Aramark.