Piste de l’Erg Murzuq — Ubari to Germa via the Fezzan Oasis Lakes and Sand Sea
Alaska's forgotten highway. The real one.
The Denali Highway was the only road access to Denali National Park from 1957 until the Parks Highway opened in 1972. Since then it’s been mostly forgotten by the general public, which is exactly why you should drive it. The route runs 135 miles from Paxson on the Richardson Highway west to Cantwell, crossing the Susitna River headwaters, climbing over Maclaren Summit at 4,086 feet, and delivering unobstructed views of the Alaska Range that dwarf anything you’ll see from the Parks Highway corridor. Caribou cross the road. Grizzlies work the tundra on both sides. The first and last few miles are paved; the middle 120 miles are maintained gravel that ranges from perfectly fine to genuinely rough washboard with sharp rocks that will find your sidewalls.
Any high-clearance vehicle can handle the Denali Highway in dry conditions, but you need to respect it — carry two spares, check tire pressures, and have enough fuel to cover the full route since services are minimal. The Maclaren River Lodge at mile 42 and Gracious House at mile 82 sell fuel in season, but call ahead — hours and availability vary year to year. The road is open roughly mid-May to early October; after the first hard frost the gravel turns to ice and then it closes entirely. Dispersed camping is wide open on state land along most of the route. No permits, no fees, no crowds. Just Alaska the way it actually looks.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 135 mi / 217 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4086 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance recommended; most 2WD can manage dry conditions |
| Nearest town | Paxson, AK |
| Land manager | Alaska DOT & Public Facilities / Bureau of Land Management – Glennallen Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Alaska DOT Road Info BLM Glennallen Field Office |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 2WD truck handle this route, or do I actually need 4WD?
In dry summer conditions most capable 2WD high-clearance rigs can get through, but any rain turns the gravel and dirt sections greasy fast. 4WD with a locker gives you a real margin of safety — a stuck 2WD out here is a very bad day with no easy recovery.
When does the route typically open in spring, and is it passable into October?
The window is June through September. Snow can close sections as early as late September, and spring breakup leaves the surface soft and rutted well into May. Stick to the June–September window unless you've confirmed current conditions with Alaska DOT.
Do I need any permits or fees to drive this route or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the route. Dispersed camping on BLM land is free and no-permit — just follow Leave No Trace and don't camp within 200 feet of water. Check with the BLM Glennallen Field Office for any seasonal closures or fire restrictions before you go.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it difficult?
The roughest stretches hit in the middle miles through the Alaska Range foothills where the gravel washboards hard and drainage crossings can run high after rain. There are no guardrails on the exposed ridge sections — it's not technical rock crawling, but a moment of inattention on a wet shelf road is serious.
How far is the nearest fuel stop, and can I make the full 135 miles on one tank?
Paxson has fuel at the Paxson Lodge at the eastern end — that's your last reliable stop before heading west. There is no fuel along the route, so a 135-mile dry stretch is real; run the math on your tank and bring a spare jerry can if your rig drinks more than average.
Trail track
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