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McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe'-The Carlo House

Photo gallery for McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe'-The Carlo House

The Carlo House!
Front deck
View from the front door-LR and kitchen
LR with view of Bedroom #1 (2 queen beds)
Kitchen and wood stove

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 81800 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Gym
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
McKinley Park, AK
  • Place, Wilderness Access Center
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Kantishna Gallery
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Denali National Park Visitors Center
    ‪17 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Master Suite

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only

Master Bath

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe'-The Carlo House

Alaska and Denali in particular (maybe we are a little biased) is an amazing, vast and majestic wilderness paradise. We are honored you are considering McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe' and the Carlo Property. We will do our best to give you all the information you need to plan and execute an incredible adventure and answer questions you have.

The Carlo House is located just 15 minutes south of Denali National Park. A beautiful three acre wooded property catering to families and small groups that want to be close to Denali, but away from the crowds; yet still have all the luxuries and amenities of home. The House is a 5 minute walk from our main property McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café. We also offer complimentary Wi-Fi.

A (3) three bedrooms, (2) two full baths house with washer/dryer, custom kitchen with stainless steel appliances and all the essentials of home. The cozy living room has a small sofa and chair, wood stove, cable TV, DVD player w/movies, complimentary Wi-Fi, and telephone.

There is a grassy yard with a stand alone sauna, and a fire pit. The deck is covered with an outside dining area and gas grill.
Main Floor
*Two bedrooms - One bedroom with two (2) queen beds, and a small bedroom with one (1) double/full sized bed.
*The full bathroom has a washer and dryer for your convenience.
*Custom Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and all the essentials of home. There is a small bar counter w/two stools for seating.
*Wine chiller in the kitchen.
*Oak hardwood and tile floors.

2nd Floor -The master suite
One (1) King bed, smart TV, Satellite cable, DVD player with movies, and a sitting area.
A luxury bath with antique claw foot tub, separate tile & glass shower and amazing panoramic mountain views!

Cleaning Fee of $125 will be applied to your reservation. You will need to remove all trash to on-site dumpster, wash all dishes/put away, and clean kitchen counters.

There is a full service restaurant, The Creekside Cafe', located on our main property, a 5 minute walk away; open mid-May - mid-Sept. We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Gym
Outdoor Space
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
To avoid an additional $150 cleaning fee kitchen/dishes are to be left in the manner in which it was given: clean.
Please remove all trash to dumpster. Kitchen/dishes are to be left clean (counters, stove, fridge, microwave, coffee maker, dishes washed/put away.
NO smoking or pets in any of our house rentals, otherwise there will be a cleaning fee equal to one night's room charge plus a $200 damage fee.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 25
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Denali National Park

Located in McKinley Park, this vacation home is in the mountains. Travelers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Kantishna Gallery, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Denali National Park and Wilderness Access Center. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Vacation Homes in Denali National ParkOpens in a new window
Map
McKinley Park, AK

What's nearby

  • Wilderness Access Center - 15 min drive - 28.1 km
  • Kantishna Gallery - 15 min drive - 29.5 km
  • Denali National Park Visitors Center - 17 min drive - 29.8 km
  • Denali Dog Sledding Museum - 19 min drive - 32.6 km
  • Horseshoe Lake - 19 min drive - 29.1 km

Getting around

  • Fairbanks Intl. Airport (FAI) - 143 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Denali Thai Food - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Gold Rush Dining Room - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Creekside Cafe - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Prey Bar & Eatery - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe'-The Carlo House pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe'-The Carlo House?

As of Mar 31, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe'-The Carlo House on May 8, 2026 start from $674, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe'-The Carlo House?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe'-The Carlo House?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe'-The Carlo House located?

Situated in the mountains, this vacation home is within 16 mi (25 km) of Denali National Park, Denali National Park Visitors Center, and Wilderness Access Center. Horseshoe Lake and Kantishna Gallery are also within 16 mi (25 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 15 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 15 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 15 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eric F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place near Denali!

Great stay right near Denali. Well stocked and kept place. Great restaurant too. Highly recommend it for any family
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Teresa A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Denali

Great stay at the Carlo House! Very comfortable atmosphere. Loved that everyone had their own space. We ate at their cafe and the food was excellent! Breakfast…Loved their Alaska Cinnamon Rolls!! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jo T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Stay

The house was clean and as depicted in pictures. Super relaxing and we could have stayed much longer! The cafe was excellent as well. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Wendy Ann R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Very cozy

Well supplied. Great sauna. Close to activities and Denali.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cute house and location

The house had everything we needed with a great casual restaurant at CreekSide Cafe right up the road. We spent most of our days at Denali National Park hiking and this house was about 20 minutes from park. Our kids enjoyed the sauna and we all enjoyed the fire pit!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Darlene H.

First Class Lodging in Denali

Perfectly situated off Rt. 3 just outside Denali National Park is what we believe is the best lodging option in that area. Six of us stayed 3 nights at this well appointed home with just enough rustic chic. We can't say enough about the quality of the bedding and linens. The master bedroom and bath are beautiful and we felt guilty that we showered instead of soaking in the beautiful, deep "ball and claw" bathtub. ...and WHAT A PANORAMIC VIEW! The home is equipped with all necessary appliances, including front loading washer/dryer. With just a bit of a chill in the air, we were lucky enough to be able to burn the indoor woodburning stove, wood supplied. There is also an outdoor firepit. Management was quick to respond to inquires both prior to check-in as well as once we were on the property. While we did some cooking on premises, this property is within a quick walk to McKinley Creekside Cafe, an absolute gem!! The dinners and desserts were creative and delicious. Kuddos to the owners for revitalizing the "old homestead" and turning it into a first class lodging option. We loved our stay and hope to return.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tanya L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy cabin

This cabin is so cozy. It has a fireplace and a sauna. If it hadn't been raining I could have enjoyed 1 of the 2 decks or the grill or the yard games that were provided. Having a good restaurant so close was another big plus. I would definitely stay here again if I get back up Alaska way.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic Stay!

The Carlo House was absolutely perfect for our group of 8. It was clean, comfortable, and only about 15 minutes to Denali National Park entrance. The cabin was stocked with the necessities as well as plenty of towels and soap (under the bathroom vanities). We used the fire pit almost every night during our stay. Be aware that there isn't a dining area inside of the house (a couple of bar stools) so if you are staying during colder months, the outside eating area may be an issue. The master bedroom was AMAZING!! The blackout shades in each room worked perfectly. We actually checked in at McKinley Creekside Cabins and I cannot say enough nice things about the staff! We ate at the cafe for dinner one night and the food was awesome! The whole place is gorgeous! Thank you for a great stay and we would definitely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chad P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place in great location

Conveniently located to everything near Denali. Nice quiet house that provided a good place to retreat at the end of the day. Great place for families.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tim B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing stay

Located about 10 minutes from the park entrance. This cabin was peaceful, relaxing, and enjoyable. Everything was as listed.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything was great.

Clean, organize, staff very friendly, saw mooses in yard, beautiful yard, beautiful house, walking path close to house, games to play.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Great Place to stay

This house is newly appointed and is a great place to stay especially if you have several people in your group. It is located a short distance from the Denali Park entrance and the town center. The food at the McKinley Creekside restuarant was also very good and reasonably priced. We had a great time and loved the upstairs king size bed with the mountain view.
Archival

8/10 Good

Dick N.

Four day cabin stay outside of Denali.

Beautiful setting. Newly remodeled cabin. Left a short list of shakedown items (none too major) that need to be corrected to bring cabin up to advertised features. Staff seemed to be willing to deal with them. Only major item was lack of good indoor dining table for our family of six. Hope staff will acknowledge our comments as the cabin has strong potential.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Great Place!

This place is great! It has just been refurbished and looks and feels brand new. We had the entire family at the Carlo house and all of us enjoyed it very much. We had a fire in the fire pit every night and made smores. We cooked all of our own meals which saved us a lot of money. The house has many amenities that we did not expect considering the location; Wi-Fi Internet access, Dish TV, phone, gas grill, washer/dryer, full kitchen. It was just a 20 minute drive to Denali. The staff was very helpful and friendly. We needed a hair dryer, so one of the staff brought it up to us within a couple minutes. The mosquitoes weren't too bad, but you probably want to bring repellant. There is no cell phone service, but you can use the house phone or Skype. It was very affordable for a family size group.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gloria

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

About the host

Hosted by Tracey Smith

Host profile image
Owned by two best friends, Holly Slinkard and Tracey Smith. We purchased our main property McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe in 1997 and the 'Carlo Property"' in 2009. Both of us being avid travelers ourselves, our goal was to create a place 'Where guests become friends'. We found in our travels that the best experiences, had more to do with the people we met and friends made on the journey.

We both live in Alaska year round. Holly spends 8 months in Denali and the remainder in Anchorage and traveling the world in the off season. Tracey lives in Palmer with her husband and son.

Our Mission: "Cultivating relationships and facilitating opportunities to explore Denali National Park, with inspired hospitality and intentional service."

People coming from all over the continent...the world all seeking an adventure. A sense of self grows from the purposeful work of maintaining and growing this establishment together. Cultivating friendships with neighbors, guests and crew that will be lifelong. Having a steadfast commitment to provide an outstanding experience for all in a setting that is beyond compare.

We are most thankful to the Lord above, all our guests and crew members for making this life possible in such an amazing place.

We know you will enjoy your time at the 'Carlo Property' and Denali National Park, truly the last frontier!

Thank you for considering McKinley Creekside Cabins & Cafe-The Carlo HOUSE

Why they chose this property

Located in the beautiful Carlo Creek area of Denali, just 13 miles south or a 15 minute drive to Denali National Park. Home of Mt. Denali the highest peak in North America towering at 20,310 ft. This six million acre park has abundant wildlife (grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, foxes, Dall sheep and more!)

We are a AAA approved property with 2019 Best in Housekeeping and Location. As hospitality professionals we take great care to provide not only the essentials but thoughtful consideration for the details.

The Carlo Property rentals offer all the features and amenities of home. Denali is an amazing place where one can explore the park and surrounding areas for a lifetime and never see it all. We try our best to take care of the details and provide the essentials that can make a house rental enjoyable and easy (basic spices, foil, plastic wrap, paper and glass ware, cooler, wood for the firepit)

The Carlo Property is a beautiful and well cared for property nestled in the woods with amazing panoramic mountain views and all the comforts of home and a great location that is close to the park.

BONUS-no cleaning fee is charged as long as the beds are stripped, kitchen/dishes are cleaned, and returned in the manner provided and removal of all trash, otherwise you can choose to have a cleaning fee of $125.00

We would be honored to host your stay in this amazing place we call home.

What makes this property unique

Thoughtful hospitality with intentional service where we try strive to take care of the details. We provide all the essentials from bathroom amenities (shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, toilet paper and tissue) to coffee, and pantry essentials (salt/pepper, oil, basic spices, paper towels, plastic wrap/foil, paper plates/utensils).

The Creekside Cafe' is within walking distance.

Minimum 2 night stay, unless 1 night is only available.

BONUS-no cleaning fee is charged as long as the beds are stripped, kitchen/dishes are cleaned, and returned in the manner provided and removal of all trash, otherwise you can choose to have a cleaning fee of $125.00

Languages:

English

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