Proposed Rule2026-09876
Denali National Park and Preserve; Vehicle Use
Primary source
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Published
May 18, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to amend special regulations for Denali National Park and Preserve to clarify the number of vehicles that can travel on the restricted section (miles 15-90) of the Denali Park Road in accordance with a Vehicle Management Plan that the NPS has been implementing since 2012. The rule would clarify that no more than 160 vehicles may travel on the restricted section of the road per 24-hour period during the visitor season (also referred to as the "annual allocation season"), defined in the park's General Management Plan as beginning on the Saturday before Memorial Day and ending on the second Thursday after Labor Day. This limit allows the NPS to meet growing visitor demand while maintaining a high-quality experience for visitors.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 95 (Monday, May 18, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 95 (Monday, May 18, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28461-28463]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09876]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
36 CFR Part 13
[NPS-DENA-NPS0042811; PPAKDENAS0, PPMPSPD1Z.YM0000]
RIN 1024-AF11
Denali National Park and Preserve; Vehicle Use
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to amend special
regulations for Denali National Park and Preserve to clarify the number
of vehicles that can travel on the restricted section (miles 15-90) of
the Denali Park Road in accordance with a Vehicle Management Plan that
the NPS has been implementing since 2012. The rule would clarify that
no more than 160 vehicles may travel on the restricted section of the
road per 24-hour period during the visitor season (also referred to as
the ``annual allocation season''), defined in the park's General
Management Plan as beginning on the Saturday before Memorial Day and
ending on the second Thursday after Labor Day. This limit allows the
NPS to meet growing visitor demand while maintaining a high-quality
experience for visitors.
DATES: Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 17, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
(1) Electronically:
<bullet> Go to the Federal Register Website: <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov">https://www.federalregister.gov</a>. In the search box, enter 1024-AF11, the
regulation identifier number (RIN) for this rulemaking. Click on the
green ``Submit a Public Comment'' button at the top of the document and
follow the instructions for submitting comments; or
<bullet> Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. In the Search box, enter 1024-AF11, the RIN for
this rulemaking. On the resulting page, select the Dockets tab and then
click on the title of the rule. Next, click the ``Open for Comments''
box, then click the blue ``Comment'' box and follow the instructions
for submitting comments.
(2) By Hard Copy:
<bullet> Mail to: Superintendent, Denali National Park and
Preserve, P.O. Box 9, Denali Park, AK 99755.
Document Availability: The Denali Park Road Vehicle Management Plan
and Environmental Impact Statement and related Record of Decision
provide information and context for this proposed rule and are
available online at <a href="https://parkplanning.nps.gov/dena">https://parkplanning.nps.gov/dena</a> by clicking the
link titled ``Denali Park Road Vehicle Management Plan'' and then the
link titled ``Document List.''
Instructions: Comments will not be accepted by fax, email, or in
any way other than those specified above. All submissions received must
include the words ``National Park Service'' or ``NPS'' and must include
the docket number or RIN (1024-AF11) for this rulemaking. Comments
received may be posted without change to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>,
including any personal information provided. Bulk comments in any
format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not
be accepted.
Docket: For access to the docket to view the proposed rule and
comments received, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for
``1024-AF11.'' Be sure to check the Dockets Tab, Documents Tab, and
Comment Tab for possible results.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brooke Merrell, Superintendent, Denali
National Park and Preserve; (907) 683-958; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2c4e5e434347497341495e5e4940406c425c5f024b435a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7f1d0d1010141a20121a0d0d1a13133f110f0c51181009">[email protected]</span></a>.
Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of
hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or
TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals
outside the United States should use the relay services offered within
their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in
the United States. In compliance with the Providing Accountability
Through Transparency Act of 2023, the plain language summary of the
proposal is available on <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> in the docket for this
rulemaking.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Denali Park Road and Vehicle Management Plan
In 1917, Congress established Mount McKinley National Park as a
``game refuge'' with the intent that it be ``set apart as a public park
for the benefit and enjoyment of the people'' (39 Stat. 938). In 1980,
Congress passed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act
(ANILCA, Pub. L. 96-487), which enlarged and renamed the park Denali
National Park and Preserve. A general purpose of all ANILCA lands is to
preserve them for the benefit, use, education and inspiration of
present and future generations. 16 U.S.C. 3101(a). The Denali Park Road
(``park road'') serves both of these purposes. Built over 16 years
(1922-1938), the historic 92-mile park road is an important means of
access to the park and is one of the best places in the world for the
public to observe large northern mammals in their natural habitat.
Visitors traveling the park road often observe Dall's sheep, caribou,
wolves, grizzly bears, moose, and foxes. Nowhere else in America can
visitors observe such concentrations of these large species of wildlife
in such an accessible natural setting. Visitors traveling the road also
have many opportunities to observe smaller mammals and birds, some of
which are rarely seen elsewhere in North America. Alaska Range
features, such as glacially carved mountains, ``the mountain,'' and the
open views of dynamic alpine landscapes, also are a source of visitor
enjoyment and inspiration. The park road facilitates wilderness
recreational opportunities and supports freedom of
[[Page 28462]]
discovery, a sense of adventure, and a connection to nature.
The NPS's ability to balance the protection of park resources while
offering quality visitor experiences is exemplified in the management
of the park road. Road crews use graders and haul gravel to maintain
it, rangers patrol it, and commercial services staff manage the
transportation contract for it, so visitors can ride buses to view
wildlife and access the park's wilderness. In 2012, planning staff,
with public input, worked to create the Denali Park Road Vehicle
Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (VMP), which
established measurable indicators and standards for visitor experience
and resource protection. These include crowding standards for the
number of vehicles at wildlife stops, in a viewscape, and at a rest
area; the spacing of vehicles to ensure time for sheep crossings;
restrictions to night-time traffic volumes; and restrictions to large
(construction-related) vehicle traffic. On September 27, 2012, the
Regional Director, Alaska signed a Record of Decision (ROD) selecting
the preferred alternative in the VMP for implementation. One standard
in the preferred alternative limits the maximum level of vehicle use on
the restricted section (miles 15-90) of the park road to 160 vehicles
per 24-hour period in the visitor season, defined in the park's General
Management Plan (GMP) as the season beginning on the Saturday before
Memorial Day and ending on the second Thursday after Labor Day. This
standard allows the NPS to meet growing visitor demand while
maintaining a high-quality experience. The NPS has been managing
vehicle use on the park road consistent with the VMP since 2012.
Resources staff monitor this and other indicators in the VMP to ensure
the road is managed according to the plan.
Proposed Rule
This rule would update the park's special regulations to reflect
NPS management of the park road in accordance with the VMP. The current
version of the applicable special regulations state that the NPS will
issue no more than 10,512 motor vehicle permits for travel on the
restricted section of the park road during the visitor season that was
defined in the GMP. This regulatory text would be replaced with a
statement that no more than 160 vehicles may travel on the restricted
section of the road per 24-hour period during the visitor season. The
rule also would make a minor change to the regulatory text by deleting
text that departs from the visitor season, as it was defined in the
GMP, by ending the season on September 15 if that comes before the
second Thursday after Labor Day. The rule would clarify that the season
always ends on the second Thursday after Labor Day, providing
additional opportunities for recreation and access by lengthening the
season in some years. The rule also would clarify that any vehicle
traveling on the park road counts toward the vehicle limit, not just
vehicles operating under a permit. The VMP evaluated impacts from all
motor vehicle use on the road, permitted or not. Some vehicles that use
the road do not have a permit, such as tour buses that operate under
concession contracts and vehicles used by the NPS for administrative
purposes.
NPS requests comments on potential alternatives and potential
economic impacts of this proposed rule if it were to be finalized.
Compliance With Other Laws, Executive Orders, and Department Policy
Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 14192)
This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866. This rule is an Executive Order 14192
deregulatory action.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
This proposed rule will not have a significant economic effect on a
substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). No small entities would be directly
regulated by this rule, which would update outdated regulations to
reflect the NPS's management of the park road since 2012 in accordance
with the VMP. This action is not expected to have adverse economic
effects on any sector, including small entities. For these reasons, the
NPS certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities; therefore, a
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
Congressional Review Act
This proposed rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This
proposed rule:
(a) Would not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million
or more.
(b) Would not cause a major increase in costs or prices for
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government
agencies, or geographic regions.
(c) Would not have significant adverse effects on competition,
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA)
requires that agencies assess whether a rule would impose a Federal
mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of
$100,000,000 or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in any 1 year.
As of 2025, that threshold is approximately $206 million (2024
dollars). This regulation will not result in expenditures by State,
local, or Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private
sector, in excess of the threshold. Thus, no written assessment of
unfunded mandates is required.''
Takings (Executive Order 12630)
This proposed rule would not effect a taking of private property or
otherwise have takings implications under Executive Order 12630. A
takings implication assessment is not required.
Federalism (Executive Order 13132)
Under the criteria in section 1 of Executive Order 13132, this
proposed rule would not have sufficient federalism implications to
warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. This
rule would only affect use of federally administered lands and waters.
It would have no direct effects on other areas. A federalism summary
impact statement is not required.
Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)
This proposed rule complies with the requirements of Executive
Order 12988. This proposed rule:
(a) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) requiring that all
regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity and be
written to minimize litigation; and
(b) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all
regulations be written in clear language and contain clear legal
standards.
Consultation With Alaska Native Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations
(Executive Order 13175 and Department Policy)
The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its
government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes through a
commitment to consultation with Indian Tribes and recognition of their
right to self-governance and Tribal sovereignty. NPS staff communicated
with local tribal
[[Page 28463]]
groups regarding the VMP. The planning alternatives were developed with
consideration that project actions would avoid or minimally disturb
resources or values important to affiliated Alaska Native Tribes. The
planning alternatives did not entail new construction or ground
disturbance and are not anticipated to impede access to places of
traditional religious, ceremonial, or other customary activities. NPS
has evaluated this proposed rule under the criteria in Executive Order
13175 and under the Department's consultation policy and has determined
this rule will have no substantial direct effect on Alaska Native
Tribes or Alaska Native Corporation lands, water areas, or resources.
However, any consultation and communication with Alaska Native Tribes
and Alaska Native Corporations is welcome and will be considered by the
NPS throughout the rulemaking process.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)
This proposed rule contains no new information collections. All
information collections require approval under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The NPS may not conduct or
sponsor, and you are not required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.)
The NPS prepared an environmental impact statement as part of the
VMP in compliance with NEPA. This proposed rule merely conforms the
regulatory text to the ROD as it has been implemented for over a
decade, which identifies the limits for vehicle use that would be
stated in the rule. Copies of these documents are available online at
<a href="https://parkplanning.nps.gov/dena">https://parkplanning.nps.gov/dena</a> by clicking the link titled ``Denali
Park Road Vehicle Management Plan,'' then the link titled ``Document
List.''
Effects on the Energy Supply (Executive Order 13211)
This proposed rule is not a significant energy action under the
definition in Executive Order 13211; this proposed rule is not likely
to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or
use of energy, and this proposed rule has not otherwise been designated
by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs as a significant energy action. A Statement of Energy Effects
in not required.
List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 13
Alaska, National Parks, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
In consideration of the foregoing, the National Park Service
proposes to amend 36 CFR part 13 as set forth below:
PART 13--NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM UNITS IN ALASKA
0
1. The authority citation for part 13 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.; 54 U.S.C. 100101, 100751,
320102; Sec. 13.1204 also issued under Pub. L. 104-333, Sec. 1035,
110 Stat. 4240, November 12, 1996.
0
2. Revise Sec. 13.930 to read as follows:
Sec. 13.930 Do I need a permit to operate a motor vehicle on the
Denali Park road west of Savage River?
Yes, you must obtain a permit or other form of written
authorization from the superintendent to operate a motor vehicle on the
restricted section of the Denali Park road during the visitor season.
The restricted section begins at the west end of the Savage River
Bridge (mile 14.8) and continues to the former Mt. McKinley National
Park boundary north of Wonder Lake (mile 87.9). The visitor season
begins on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and ends on the second
Thursday following Labor Day. Each permit allows one vehicle one entry
onto the restricted portion of the Denali Park road. Other forms of
written authorization may have different terms and conditions than
permits.
0
3. Revise Sec. 13.932 to read as follows:
Sec. 13.932 How many motor vehicles may travel on the Denali Park
road?
No more than 160 motor vehicles may travel on the restricted
section of the Denali Park road per 24-hour period during the visitor
season.
Kevin J. Lilly,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Exercising the Delegated
Authority of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2026-09876 Filed 5-14-26; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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