2015 Denali bus and campground reservations available beginning Dec. 1

DENALI PARK — Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture, the transportation concessioner for Denali National Park and Preserve, will begin accepting advance reservations for the 2015 visitor season for shuttle buses and the park’s four largest campgrounds on Dec. 1. Reservations are available by phone, online or mail.

Approximately 65 percent of the shuttle bus seats and 100 percent of the campsites in the Riley Creek, Savage River, Teklanika River, and Wonder Lake campgrounds can be reserved in advance. The remaining tickets are made available for advance or walk-in reservations two days before the travel date. The Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River Campgrounds are open for tents and RVs, but the Wonder Lake Campground is tents only. Hookups are not available in any of the park’s campgrounds.

The shuttle bus system provides transportation into the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve for visitors who wish to view the park’s scenery and wildlife, access campgrounds, go hiking for the day, or take an overnight trip into the park’s backcountry. Drivers will answer questions and help visitors spot wildlife. The shuttle bus system will operate from May 20 to Sept. 16, 2015, weather permitting.

The 2015 shuttle bus prices for an adult single trip far are: $27.50 (Toklat); $35 (Eielson Visitor Center); $48.25 (Wonder Lake); and $52.50 (Kantishna).

The camper bus fare (for campers in park campgrounds or with backcountry permits) is $35. Children age 15 and under ride free on shuttle buses and half price on tour buses. A maximum of eight shuttle bus seats may be requested with each reservation, and ages are required as age discounts may apply. Please provide alternate dates and times when possible.

Additionally, there are two multi-trip bus pass options available for visitors who plan to do multiple trips during the same summer.

The 3-for-2 pass allows one individual to travel into the park on three separate trips during the same summer season for the price of two trips, provided the third trip is equal to or of lesser value than the first two. A reservation is required for each trip, which do not have to be taken on consecutive days. Reservations can be made in person at the Wilderness Access Center or Riley Creek Mercantile in the park, or by telephone at 800-622-7275.

The 6-Pack allows a visitor to travel into the park on six separate trips during the same summer season for a discounted rate, i.e. $42 for destinations as far as the Toklat River (Mile 53), and $62.75 for destinations as far as Kantishna (Mile 92). The 6-Pack is good for only one individual, is not transferable, and the first bus trip must be reserved when purchasing the 6-Pack. There is a minimum of five days between trips. All reservations must be done in person (valid ID required) at the Wilderness Access Center or Riley Creek Mercantile.

Phone reservations can be made by calling 800-622-7275 nationwide or 907-272-7275 for international callers between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Arizona time). Make reservations online at reservedenali.com. Mail reservation requests to: ARAMARK /Joint Venture Reservations; 2805 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 240; Phoenix, AZ 85106.

Comment deadline nears on NPS proposed regulations

The public comment period ends Dec. 3for the National Park Service’s proposed regulations regarding certain sport hunting practices on national preserves in Alaska.

The federal regulations were proposed, in part, as a response to three relatively recent allowances for the hunting of wolves, coyotes and bears under the state’s general hunting regulations that conflict with Federal laws and policies. The proposed federal regulations also propose other wildlife related changes as well as procedural changes for any future closures or restrictions. None of the proposed changes would restrict federal subsistence users hunting under the federal subsistence regulations.

The proposals were published in the Federal Register on Sept. 4. In addition to 90 days of public comment, the National Park Service has held 17 public hearings and conducted consultation meetings with the State of Alaska and Alaska Native tribes.

Links to the proposed regulations, an environmental assessment and related documents are available from the National Park Service’s website at 1.usa.gov/1tAzqcf.

Instructions on how to comment on the proposed regulation and the environmental assessment are also on that website. For those using postal mail, comments may be sent to: NPS Regulations, 240 W. 5th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501. A printed copy of the proposal is available by request to the same address.