Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or Duck?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Duck or Denali National Park? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Duck is a traditional, compact, and charming beach town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, food, and beaches.
Denali National Park is a vast, rugged, and spectacular park. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for hiking.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Duck. Although Duck and Denali National Park are popular destinations, Duck has more sights and attractions for tourists. Duck is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Denali National Park attracts visitors for its museums and impressive beauty. Duck is famous for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm. It is also well known for the wide sandy beach. Denali National Park is famous for its vast wilderness and iconic Alaskan wildlife.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Denali National Park and Duck. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Denali National Park is a moderate park for its sights and museums. However, Duck is not a good beach town for its museums and history.
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.
If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Duck. Hanging out at the beach and enjoy water sports or outdoor activities are the main draw of this town. You won't find much in the form of museums or indoor activities.
Duck is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Denali National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Duck has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. For such a small town, there's a decent selection of restaurants that range from local seafood eateries to pizza delivery. Homemade ice cream is a favorite in the area, but you also can't skip out on the flagship Duck Donuts store.
Denali National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. During the summer months there are restaurants open along Highway 3 as well as the Morino Grill near the Denali Visitor Center.
Duck is adequate for nightlife and partying. However, Denali National Park is not known for its evening party scene.
Duck doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's known as a family-friendly destination that isn't often associated with a strong nightlife, but there is often live music and other festivals during the summer months.
People don't go to Denali National Park for the nightlife. Visitors come to the park to see the nature, not for the nightlife.
Duck and Denali National Park offer a relatively similar set of nice luxury resort options.
Duck has a handful of resorts to choose from. Most of the accommodation around town is in the form of vacation beach rental houses that are perfect for family gatherings or larger groups.
With a selection of resorts, Denali National Park makes a nice vacation spot. 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.
Duck is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Denali National Park is not a beach destination.
With world-famous beaches, Duck is a very popular vacation destination. Long sandy beaches with great surf and a wonderful boardwalk make this a great beach destination. Kids play in the tidal pools and families relax under their beach umbrellas in a classic beach setting.
Denali National Park is not a beach destination.
If you're looking to go hiking, Duck and Denali National Park both have nice trails.
Duck is a good destination for hiking. The Duck Trail runs for six miles and passes through town. It's popular with walkers, cyclists, and inline skaters.
Many people include a hike when visiting Denali National Park. 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.
Duck is a great beach town for its shopping opportunities. However, Denali National Park is not known for its shopping areas.
Duck is well-known for its shopping. Head to the Waterfront Shops for some of the town's best shopping. You can wander along the boardwalk and check out the independent vendors and local restaurants.
Denali National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are several park stores and shops in and near the park where you can pick up gifts, books, and souvenirs.
Duck is a great beach 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, Duck is very family-friendly. Kid-friendly beaches, local ice cream joints, and the famed Duck Donuts all make this an ideal kid's beach destination. There's a waterpark nearby and plenty of water sports that the whole family can enjoy. The boardwalk is also a very family-friendly environment.
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.
With fun activities for couples, both Duck and Denali National Park make for a great place to visit.
Duck is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming beach town with great local restaurants and a beautiful and peaceful setting. For couples who want to enjoy a relaxing beach town without the energy of a larger destination, then this is the perfect place. Much of the accommodation is in the form of rental houses, which can be a bit much for a couple, but the setting is perfect for a weekend escape.
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.
Denali National Park is renowned for backpackers. However, Duck is not a good beach town for backpackers and budget travelers.
Denali National Park is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are millions of acres in the park as well as campgrounds, hostels, and vast backcountry (which requires a permit).
Duck is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's an upscale town with many beach houses available for rent, and very little in the form of budget accommodation.
Both Duck and Denali National Park offer reasonable public transit options.
Public transit is generally limited in Duck. It's best to have a car if you want to exploring the Outer Banks and its many activities.
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.
Duck is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. However, Denali National Park is not known for its ease of walking around.
Duck is a very easy beach town to get around on foot. It's a wonderfully walkable and pedestrian-friendly town with a great boardwalk and many walking and cycling paths.
Denali National Park is not a walkable beach 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 Duck Worth Visiting? and Is Denali National Park Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Duck or Denali National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Duck due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Duck, and 2-4 days is enough time in Denali National Park.
Families should spend more time in Duck than Denali National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Duck, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Duck than Denali National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Duck that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Duck is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Most people come for the beaches. 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.
Visitors enjoy the when visiting the destination of Denali National Park. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Duck is a fun place to experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Denali National Park is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Many people visit Duck for five days. Duck might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer.
You'll find around the vast destination of Denali National Park. This park offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Even though Duck is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many people spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Duck, one week is sufficent for most.
The epic park of Denali National Park offers . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Duck is $188, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $218. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Duck and Denali National Park in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Duck or Denali National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Also for Denali National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Denali National Park and Duck change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
When comparing the travel costs between Duck and Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Expensive? and Is Denali National Park Expensive?.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer brings many poeple to Duck as well as Denali National Park. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Duck this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Denali National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Duck is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Duck in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).
Duck receives a lot of rain in the summer. Duck usually gets more rain in July than Denali National Park. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Denali National Park and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Duck for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Denali National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Denali National Park can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Duck is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 62°F (16°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
In October, Duck usually receives around the same amount of rain as Denali National Park. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Denali National Park and Duck during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Duck in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Denali National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Denali National Park can be very cold during winter. Duck can get quite cold in the winter. Duck is much warmer than Denali National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 41°F (5°C) in January, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 11°F (-12°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually gets more rain in January than Denali National Park. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Denali National Park. Most visitors come to Duck for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Denali National Park because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Denali National Park can be very cold. In the spring, Duck is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Duck in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 34°F (1°C).
In April, Duck usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Duck | Denali National Park | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
Feb | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.4 inches (37 mm) |
Mar | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
Apr | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 5 inches (127 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (108 mm) |
Oct | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
Dec | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |