Talkeetna is a small community that helps visitors fall in love with Alaska. It is 115 miles from Denali National Park and on the confluence of three glacially fed rivers. I enjoyed my visit here and found three things to do in Talkeetna, Alaska area that tourists might miss.
Flightseeing and mountain climbing are two major attractions. It takes only a few minutes to walk through the downtown portion. For me, stopping in the Talkeetna galleries, shops and attractions took all afternoon. The artsy atmosphere is one that people like myself find compelling. Then of course, there are all the things to do in Talkneeta that tourists miss.
Getting here from Anchorage is easy. The community is about 120 miles from Anchorage. It’s off of Parks Highway at the end of Talkeetna Spur Road. Lodging in the community consists of campgrounds, lodges and bed and breakfast accommodations. The forest station here is used as a staging area for climbers going to Mt. McKinley.
One of the things to do in Talkeetna, Alaska that tourists miss the Byers Lake nature walk in Denali State Park. It’s an easy 2 and a half mile hike that begins at the Byers Lake Campground. The park has a small number of black bears and grizzlies. Bear precautions are a must for a back country trails and around the campground. Information is available on the Denali State Park website.
Another attraction that tourists to downtown Talkeetna, Alaska often miss is right is the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum. Its home in The Little Red School House is on the National Register of Historic Places. A ranger gives twice daily talks about the uniqueness of the Talkeetna area. Topics covered include homesteading, Mount McKinley (Denali), museum artifacts and the gold rush. The museum is open from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm during the summer.
Tourists to Talkeetna often miss out on the opportunity to learn an Alaska folk craft. Classes are offered during the fall and winter. Visitors will want to coordinate their visit after consulting the online schedule from the Northern Susitna Institute Folk Life School.
Talkeetna is an interesting stop on the way to Denali National or State Park if driving in from Anchorage. Visitors need to know that cell phones may not always work in this part of the country. Mosquito spray is always advisable during the warmer months of Alaska.
An overnight stay may may be in order if flightseeing or hiking. I found that many galleries and shops closed by 6:00 pm. Visitors should arrive early in the day to do the things in Talkeetna that many tourists miss.