Denali Square at McKinley Chalet Resort

Denali National Park in Alaska was the first national park created to protect wildlife. Now, it’s home to 39 species of mammals, 169 species of birds, 1 lonely species of amphibian and 1 very large mountain, Denali (the name is derived from the native Athabascan language, meaning mountain).

When Holland America Princess cruise line acquired the McKinley Chalet Resort (previous name of the mountain) in Denali National Park, they decided to expand and upgrade opportunities for guest dining and gathering. Denali Square at the center of the resort is now a village center, with a restaurant, theater, retail cabins, an amphitheater stage with bench seating for guests to enjoy a variety of local shows, ranger talks and demonstrations, and abundant gathering areas for guests to enjoy the scenery.

The Square also features retail shops offering local goods, an artist-in-residence cabin where native Alaskan artists display and discuss their works, and cozy fire pits to gather around on long, cool Alaska summer evenings, maybe making a s’more or two.