Many residents living near Alaska’s Denali State Park are not too happy with the local planning commission. Earlier this week, the Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a privately owned RV resort in the middle of the state park. RV park aside, locals are up in arms with an associated decision—one that will lead to as many as eight helicopter tours per day from the resort during the tourist season. But the call is made: Denali helicopter tours and RVs will be a reality.
Planning commission blesses Denali helicopter tours in midst of state park
The planning commission, in a final decision, approved the conditional use permit for The Ark @ Denali RV Park Resort Campground. The land in the midst of the state park is privately held. Hence the state government had no options on the decision either way.
The more controversial part of the call was allowing the request for the helipad. A third-party contractor is to use it to make Denali helicopter tours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., up to eight tours per day from mid-May to mid-September.
A vocal group spoke out against the heli-tours, and the county received more than 100 written comments on the matter. Those opposed said helicopter tours are noisy, and that people many come to the state park to appreciate a quiet atmosphere. They also raised concerns about light pollution and bear safety.
The planning commission directed that the resort managers provide as much vegetation buffer as possible. Developers are to screen the campground from the highway.
Developers say they’ll see to it park lighting is directed down to limit night sky pollution. They promise to educate guests on bear safety.
In addition to the Denali helicopter tours, Phase 1 of the RV resort’s development will have more. It includes 39 full-hookup RV sites, a walk-up café, picnic areas, and a boat launch. The developer foresees a future that includes a lodge and sports bar.
Note: This is not referring to Denali National Park & Preserve.
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Typical ‘NIMBY’ stuff. But frankly, if I lived nearby I might be “up in arms” as well.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Interesting. Did not know that was the name of the state park. We stayed at K’esugi Ken Campground (https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/sdenali/index.htm) inside the park in July 2019. Will be keen to see where they are putting the pad and new campground when we are there this summer (again in July). Have a great day and safe travels!
Waiting for the inevitable howling “it’s all about corporate greed!”
Guess who wants the Denali name stricken and McKinley put back on instead. Why can’t “certain” people just go away and leave things alone.
It will soon be called McKinley National Park! Or worse.
Mar-A-Lago National Historical Landmark will also have a name change.
Listen honey….. I hear the whiner birds. Haven’t heard those in 4 years!
Here’s some history on the naming of this mountain. Not trying to change your mind, just allowing you a chance to question your posture on the matter:
Denali–Mount McKinley Naming Dispute
The mountain has been referred by dozens of names over time no different than waypoints along the Oregon Trail. Is there one “right” name absent any subjectivity? Who knows, history is often based on the narrator, not necessarily the facts…..
I really hope this name change and rv park ,as well as helicoper rides all fail !!, please, if planning on a visit this summer dont take part in this!!!
History repeats itself? The current Denali was originally Mt. McKinley and with the stroke of pen the name and every history book in the world was changed!
I took my student pilot cross country flight from Anchorage to Summit (an FAA flight svc stn at the base of the Mtn) to get my log book signed – then on the Fairbanks and return. It was a glorious 1962 blue sky summer day too.
I might suggest to satisfy everyone and confuse the history books further, the name be “Mt. McKinley/Denali”). Should satisfy all factions…..