Alaska Veterans Memorial

The feel

Five 20-foot concrete panels, one each for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, stand in a semi-circle in a natural grove of trees. Each panel carries a short history of that branch's contribution to Alaska. A statue of two Alaska Territorial Guards, carved by Canadian sculptor George Pratt, greets you at the entrance.

The memorial was erected in summer 1983 and dedicated on August 11, 1984. Denali is only 35 miles away at that point and is often shrouded in clouds. The binoculars of one of the Territorial Guard figures are trained on the 20,237-foot mountain.

What to expect

What it is

A multi-branch war memorial in Denali State Park, with a staffed visitor center and a small store.

Parking

Paved pullout and parking area.

Fees and passes

No parking fee.

Bathrooms and water

Accessible toilets, water and picnic sites.

Season and access

Parks Highway mile 147.1. The visitor center and small store are open Memorial Day through Labor Day. The memorial re-opens each year with a Memorial Day Ceremony hosted by the Alaska Veterans Motorcycle Club.

Mingo says

Come between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when the visitor center is staffed. Pick a clear day for the mountain behind the panels.

Before you go

• Plan for the Memorial Day ceremony if you want the season opener.
• Ask at the visitor center about bear resistant food containers, or call the area office at (907) 745-3975.
• Stop at mile 147.1 of the Parks Highway; there is no parking fee.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.