This small motel-style lodge has 10 spacious rooms that are the perfect antidote to the noisy, crowded resorts around the entrance to Denali National Park. Many of the rooms will comfortably sleep a family of five on two queen beds and a twin bed. Each room also includes a refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi. If you plan to do a lot of cooking during your stay, there is one room available with a full kitchen.

The Backwoods Lodge is located in a quiet wooded area in the town of Cantwell, at the intersection of the Parks Highway and the Denali Highway. It’s a beautiful half-hour drive from the lodge north to the entrance to the national park, where you’ll find a wide variety of activities like ranger-led hikes and wildlife bus tours. If you’re feeling adventurous, however, head east from your lodge and drive part of the Denali Highway. It’s considered to be one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the world. You’ll need an entire day for lots of stops to explore and take photos, but it will make great memories for your family. You can grab snacks and some grocery items at the Cantwell Foodmart around the corner from the lodge before you go. There are larger grocery stores further north, around the park entrance, as well as restaurants and shops. One must-do activity in Cantwell, just a few miles from your lodge, is the Dog Gone It sled dog kennel. The owners give one of the most informative and entertaining kennel tours in the area. Just try to get that puppy out of your kids’ arms! Quiet location and spacious rooms make the Backwoods Lodge an ideal stay for your family vacation to Denali National Park.