Trail Overview

Petersville Road is a 49-mile (98-mile round trip) out-and-back trail starting in Trapper Creek. The trail starts with a paved road immediately off the park's highway before giving way to a dirt road that weaves through the mountains into a tundra valley before diving down and crossing Cache Creek multiple times as you pass through individual mine claims to the end of the road.

Photos of Petersville Road

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Difficulty

The trail has close to a dozen water crossings that can be up to 2+ feet deep with strong currents depending on the seasonal snow melt and rainfall. Because of this the road also has the possibility of having washouts and landslides that can close the road causing the need to divert.

History

Petersville Road is the "other" road to Denali, the southern gateway to Denali and certainly the road less traveled. It's a rugged mining road that was built in the 1920s and designed for true explorers of Alaska who wish to discover the backcountry on their own terms.

Technical Rating

Wyatt Sinclair

Jun 14, 2025

Open

First half of the trail is busy with RV’s and trucks but ones you gain elevation to the top of the ridge and start crossing streams and rivers there will be less people. Still snow at the top but nothing much on the trails. Rivers are high closer to the end once you start getting closer to the mines. Pay attention where the high spots are during crossings. They are pushing lots of water but all are passable for the most part with the right approach.