Denali Star

The Denali Star leaves Anchorage, Alaska, every summer morning. It makes three stops as it travels north for 356 miles, or 12 hours, until it reaches Fairbanks. It passes wetlands, forests, mountains, canyons, and glaciers. On a clear day, passengers can spot the peak of Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. The route covers territory that isn’t easily accessible any other way. “You’re off the beaten track, seeing a lot of things that people just don’t get to see from the road,” says Tim Sullivan Jr. of Alaska Railroad. Plus, for much of the trip, there’s no cell-phone service, forcing passengers to unplug and enjoy the ride. —Shay Maunz