bee_46 wrote:
We only do the shuttle buses in Denali. We have done 3 trips into Wonder Lake and one in Kantishna. The shuttle bus drivers are extremely knowledgeable about the park and will stop to allow photos of wildlife along the way. The shuttle buses also go farther into the park. The tour buses will provide you with a box lunch, I believe, and you have to provide your own food on the shuttle bus. I would rather decide what I want to eat anyway. Shuttle buses are also cheaper than the tour buses.
Having not done the tour bus I can't compare, but I would do the shuttle again if I get back to Denali one day.
Exactly as we would suggest. We spent 10 nights in Denali at both Riley Creek and Teklanika campgrounds. We rode the shuttles every day and sometimes more than once a day from Teklanika. When staying there you buy one special TEK pass and you can ride as often as you want.
The drivers were very informative and excellent at spotting the critters. They would park and let you take pictures.
We liked that we could get off the bus wherever we wanted and just walk down the road for a while and pick up another shuttle passing by. You can't imagine the silence and vastness when out there by yourself with no vehicles around.
The shuttle cost is a lot less but then again, you have to pack your own lunch. :)
Personally, although we did ride to the end of the park one day, we wouldn't do it again. We saw all the animals before getting there. It makes for a very long day.
