Healy is a small town located off the parks highway around mile 248. Healy’s history is tied up in the Coal mining and Alaskan Railroad industries that began in 1918 and 1919. The states only commercial coal mine is still located here. Healy was originally named Healy Fork for the Healy River. The Healy River was named after the manager of the North American Trading and Transportation Company, John J. Healy. Healy is now known for being the first full service town open year round and a popular place to stay if you are doing things in Denali (13 miles away). I personally love Healy. It has all the beauty of Denali National park but cheaper and less touristy.
Where to stay
There are a lot of places to stay in Healy, Alaska. A lot of places use Denali in their titles because people tend to stay in Healy when they are visiting Denali if they want a cheaper/less populated alternative since the park is only 13 miles away. I am including only places in the Healy Area as my Denali National Park Page will have those closer to or in the park.
From the website: We offer friendly service, an ideal location & accommodations that are comfortable and affordable. Denali Park Hotel’s comfortable motel-style rooms, surrounded by majestic mountains and “Moose on the Loose” roaming freely on our private, natural grounds. At our Snack Bar we offer for purchase breakfast sandwiches, coffee, tea, juice, or water as well as health bars, yogurt, oatmeal, nuts, chips, pop and other tasty snacks.
From the website: We offer affordably priced rooms that are comfortable, clean and quiet. The Lodge is only 15 minutes to the Denali Park Visitors Center and very easy to find. All of our rooms have a wilderness view, free Wi-Fi and free satellite TV.
From the website: We offer complimentary Continental Breakfast Plate Included with Every Room, free wifi, off street parking, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Each room has a private bath, queen bed, smart TV, phone and wifi. They also state there is a lot of wildlife sightings at their lodge.
mile 1.9 Lignite Rd, Healy, AK 99743•
(907) 683-2921
From the website: Our Healy Alaska lodging overlooks the confluence of three valleys to the north of Denali National Park. Unlike many nearby Denali National Park hotels or Healy motels we are off the beaten path in a lightly populated area of Healy. We offer friendly hospitality to visitors from Alaska and around the world. Our guests enjoy the scenic and peaceful surroundings of the Alaska wilderness, without sacrificing amenities like comfortable beds, individual bathrooms, satellite TV and wireless internet.
Mi 248.7, Parks Hwy, Healy, AK 99743
(907) 683-6500
From the website: Not only does our hotel offer well-appointed rooms and worry-free reservations but a fantastic range of amenities to ensure a pleasant stay. Our family-style restaurant and cafe offers everything from delicious burgers to amazing pie, and our pub is perfect for unwinding after a long day in the Alaskan wilderness. We also have a fitness center, an endless pool, conference rooms, and laundry facilities.
Mile 1.2, Otto Lake Rd, Healy, AK 99743
(907) 683-4035
From the website: (Also go check out those pictures) Denali Lakeview Inn is a locally owned family retreat. We are open year round and nestled on tranquil Otto Lake. This is a relaxing lodging choice for Denali National Park guests. Enjoy spectacular views of Otto Lake, Mt. Healy and Mt. Dora from every suite.
Set on 1 1/2 wooded acres in Healy Alaska, this establishment is warm, cozy, and filled with natural light. It is secluded, yet close to the Parks Highway and just minutes away from all the activities Denali National Park has to offer.
Nestled in the Alaskan wilderness, with a phenomenal view of the mountains, we are delighted to offer you all the comforts of “home away from home.” We not only offer you a serve-yourself hot breakfast, but we also provide continental breakfast items for early morning travelers
This Denali lodging on almost 10 private acres is 12 miles north and 20 minutes away from Denali National Park. The Millers provide free paved, off-street parking, free fast WiFi and free, expert tour-desk advice.
mile .9, Healy Spur Rd, Healy, AK 99743
(907) 683-1377
From the website: This Denali lodging on almost 10 private acres is 12 miles north and 20 minutes away from Denali National Park. The Millers provide free paved, off-street parking, free fast WiFi and free, expert tour-desk advice. Reserve the Alaskan Chateau today! Enjoy a quiet wooded area a few miles north of Denali National Park. Our house is only $525 per night and it sleeps up to 9 people.
1/10th Mile, Lester Rd, Healy, AK 99743
(907) 687-5852
We have been serving customers in the Denali area for 35 years. We opened a restaurant in the Denali Canyon area in 1984 followed by a gift shop in 1988. We are now the largest independent gift shop operator at Denali with three 3 gift shops.
Healy Heights Family Cabins has been serving Denali’s guests since 1990. Our cabins are superbly located on 12 wooded acres atop a scenic ridge overlooking the mountains and valleys of the Alaska Range. We offer nature, breath-taking views and lovely, clean cabins that are architecturally unique and tastefully decorated.
Each of our cabins offer private baths and privacy. Four of our cabins offer a kitchenette for small meal prep, while two of our cabins feature full kitchens and satellite TV.
Cabins are available May thru September –each cabin has a beautiful view of the Alaskan Range Mountains.Each cabin is 400 Square feet with a large 8 X 16 foot Private deck, and includes:
2 Queen Beds that sleep 1-4 guests, Fully Furnished, Full Kitchen with complimentary coffee, creamer and sugar, Full Bathroom with shower, Community BBQ grilling station, Free Wi-Fi Internet access available on property (there are time it does not work due to weather and or signal) Life of mountain living! Satellite TV (over 100 channels) Flat screen TV’s
The cabins are 11 miles away from the entrance of Denali National Park.
245.1 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK 99755
(907) 683-1500
This one is a little ways outside of Healy
Other
And of course, my personal fav – check out Air BNB or VRBO because there are a lot of beautiful places to stay in Healy where you can have your own home to stay in.
What to See and Do
As with everything in Alaska, the things you can do are limited to the weather: cold and hot.
In the summer there is hiking, camping, and ATV tours
In the winter there are snow machine rides, dog sledding,
Usibeli coal mine offers one hour tours of the mine
Stampede Trail (the famous Alaska bus was just removed from its place at the end of this trail in 2020 and relocated to a “safe place” The bus was made popular by the book “into the wild”)
Honestly, most people stay in Healy and go into Denali for their activities and depending on when you are visiting, you will either have many choices or be limited to the things to do in Healy.
This is by far my favorite place to eat in this area of town. I would even drive the 2 hours from my hometown of Fairbanks to eat here. There are also weekend events that they put on and double as a brewery so you can try some awesome beer too!
This place offers tours with horses as well as a restaurant to eat at with steaks, burgers, seafood and other favorites as well as boxed lunches with their tours.
A cute little food truck nestled in between the gas station and 49th State Brewery!
Where to Hike/Camp
I will update this as I learn more but honestly the hikes you want to do are in Denali which is only 13 miles away.
Mt. Healy overlook – I have done this trail with my brother and I loved it.
Stampede Trail – to the bus that was recently removed.
Where to Shop
It’s a small town close to Denali with less than 3k people. There are limited shops here but you should be able to find everything you need in the newly created 3 bears store. You can’t miss it, it’s almost the biggest building from the road.
Healy is one of my most favorite towns because it is quiet and small with the blasting beauty of Denali right next to it. If you go to Healy, I would stay there and check out Denali for a couple days.