A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durango vs. Denali National Park for Backpackers, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Durango or Denali National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Durango and Denali National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Durango

Durango is a charming, quaint, and scenic small town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Durango is a beautiful place to visit, too. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the hiking and museums. See Durango travel costs.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is a rugged, spectacular, and epic park. Denali National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking. See Denali National Park travel costs.

Durango and Denali National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durango or Denali National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Durango. Although Durango and Denali National Park are popular destinations, Durango has more sights and attractions for tourists. Durango is very popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Denali National Park attracts visitors for its resorts and impressive beauty. Denali National Park is more touristy than Durango and is known for its vast wilderness and iconic Alaskan wildlife. Durango is famous for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. It is also well known for The Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad.

How is Durango different from Denali National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Denali National Park and Durango. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Durango or Denali National Park Better for Skiing?

Durango is adequate for skiing. However, Denali National Park is not a skiing destination.

Durango is a fun local destination for snow skiers. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Denali National Park is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durango or Denali National Park?

Durango is very good for its historical sights. However, Denali National Park is not known for its sights and museums.

Durango offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

Denali National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Denali's Museum Collection includes more than 25,000 different items that reflect the region's history, culture, and geology.

Is the Food Better in Durango or Denali National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Durango and Denali National Park both to be reasonable destinations.

Durango offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Denali National Park. During the summer months there are restaurants open along Highway 3 as well as the Morino Grill near the Denali Visitor Center.

Is Durango or Denali National Park Better for Nightlife?

Neither Durango or Denali National Park offer decent nightlife.

Durango doesn't offer many options. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Denali National Park. Visitors come to the park to see the nature, not for the nightlife.

Is Durango or Denali National Park Better for Resorts?

Denali National Park is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Durango is not a resort destination.

Denali National Park has a handful of resorts to choose from. Most visitors stay nearby the Denali Park Entrance. It has the most affordable hotels and lodges, some of which have a lot of personality. Alternatively, you could stay in the more remote area of Kantishna. These lodges are more expensive and all-inclusive, but they are also far away from most conveniences.

Durango is not a resort destination.

Is Durango or Denali National Park Better for its Old Town?

Durango is very good for its old town. However, Denali National Park does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Durango. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Denali National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Durango or Denali National Park Better for Hiking?

Durango is a great small town for hiking. Also, Denali National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice park for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Durango for the hiking trails. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Denali National Park has hiking trails worth exploring. If you're looking for a marked trail, there are limited options within the park. Those that do exist are located near the park entrance and are usually just a couple of miles long. Off-trail hiking is what makes for the most memorable experience. Make sure you stop off at the visitor center for information and knowledge before you venture into the wilderness without a trail. For obvious reasons, you should fully understand what this entails before beginning your adventure.

Is the Shopping Better in Durango or Denali National Park?

Shoppers can find a variety of reasonable stores in both Durango and Denali National Park.

Durango is a good destination for shopping. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

If you're looking to go shopping, Denali National Park has some nice offerings. There are several park stores and shops in and near the park where you can pick up gifts, books, and souvenirs.

Is Durango or Denali National Park More Beautiful?

Denali National Park is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Denali National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Home to the highest peak in North America, the park is famous for its dramatic beauty and rugged landscapes.

Durango is a beautiful place to visit, too. The town is surrounded by plenty of natural beauty.

Is Durango or Denali National Park Better for Families?

Durango is a great small town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Denali National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice park for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Durango is very family-friendly. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Denali National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people visit the park as part of a tour, so it's important to book a tour that is designed with families in mind. This will help ensure the kids stay entertained even during long bus rides.

Is Durango or Denali National Park Better for Couples?

Denali National Park is a very popular place for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Denali National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures and stunning scenery will find the ultimate romance in this impressive park.

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is Durango or Denali National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Denali National Park is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Denali National Park. There are millions of acres in the park as well as campgrounds, hostels, and vast backcountry (which requires a permit).

Plenty of budget travelers visit Durango. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Is Durango or Denali National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Denali National Park is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Denali National Park. There are free shuttle buses that leave from the entrance area, but many visitors organize a tour to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Durango or Denali National Park a more walkable city?

Durango is adequate for its high level of walkability. However, Denali National Park is not known for its ease of walking around.

Durango is generally not a very walkable small town. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

Denali National Park is not a walkable small town. The park is vast and you need some form of transportation to get around, whether it's a private vehicle or a pre-arranged tour.

For even more information, also check out Is Durango Worth Visiting? and Is Denali National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Denali National Park or Durango?

How long in Durango or Denali National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Durango or Denali National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Denali National Park due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Durango, and 2-4 days is enough time in Denali National Park.

Families should spend more time in Durango than Denali National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Durango, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

One day in Durango or Denali National Park?

Durango is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Denali National Park, you'll find . This park offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Durango or Denali National Park?

Durango is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this small town has to offer. This small town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Denali National Park, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Denali National Park has to offer.

Five days in Durango or Denali National Park?

Many people visit Durango for five days. Durango is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Denali National Park is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Durango or Denali National Park?

Because Durango is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Denali National Park. Many people enjoy the when visiting Denali National Park. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durango and Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park is more expensive. And not only is Durango much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durango would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durango and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Denali National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denali National Park than you might in Durango.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durango Expensive? and Is Denali National Park Expensive?.