The Difference Between "McKinley" and "Denali"

What Is In a Name?

Often times, visitors to the state of Alaska are confused by the interchangeable use of names like Denali and McKinley. Locals rather enjoy the confused expression often seen on the faces of tourists as they try to keep it all straight.

Let’s start with Denali and McKinley.

Mt McKinley is located in the Alaska Range and is North America’s tallest mountain at 20,320 ft. The mountain was named in 1896 for William McKinley who, at the time, was a republican candidate for president.

However, the mountain already had a name. The Athabascan Indians who inhabited the area for thousands of years had called it Denali. Denali literally meant “the high one” or “great one” which is appropriate!

The State of Alaska officially acknowledged the original name bestowed by the Athabascan and renamed the mountain Denali in 1975. The state Geographic Names Board made it official, but the federal board never recognized the change and refused to take any action to match the state of Alaska’s recommendation.

Adding to the confusion, a similar name swapping history has occurred with the national park.

Mt. McKinley National Park

In the heart of Alaska lies one of the last great wilderness preserves on earth. Thirty-five species of animals and hundreds of plant species sustain themselves by completely natural processes in a wild domain. This special character led Congress to create Mt. McKinley National Park in 1917.

In the heart of Alaska lies one of the last great wilderness preserves on earth. Thirty-five species of animals and hundreds of plant species sustain themselves by completely natural processes in a wild domain. This special character led Congress to create Mt. McKinley National Park in 1917.

The Alaska Lands Act of 1980 enlarged the park boundary to its present 6,000,000 acres and changed the name to Denali National Park and Preserve. Denali the mountain lies within Denali National Park and is one of the top destinations in Alaska.

All you need to remember is that McKinley was a president. It is no longer a National Park or the name of a mountain. Denali is the mountain and national park but never president. You can visit Denali Mountain while in the National Park.

That should about clear things up for you.