Denali proposes a daily vehicle cap on its previously restricted road

The National Park Service wants to change how it limits vehicles on the interior stretch of the Denali Park Road, and is taking public comment through Friday.

The proposal would cap the restricted section, from Mile 15 to Mile 90, at no more than 160 vehicles per 24 hours during the summer visitor season. That would replace the current seasonal limit of 10,512 vehicles with a daily framework. NPS says the change aligns the park's regulations with its Vehicle Management Plan, which has guided road operations since 2012.

The restricted road is the main route into the park's interior. Since 1972, most visitors have ridden buses beyond the Savage River area at Mile 15, with private vehicles generally limited to people holding overnight or special-use permits. The Interior Department said the daily cap would better reflect how the road is actually run and could expand visitor opportunities while still holding a limit in place.

The road remains affected by the Pretty Rocks landslide, which has restricted through access in recent seasons while repairs continue.

Comments are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on July 17,