The George Parks Highway is a 323-mile road from Gateway near Palmer to Fairbanks, signed entirely as Alaska Route 3. Completed in 1971, it is the main route between Anchorage and Fairbanks and the principal access to Denali National Park and Preserve.[1]
| Length | 323 mi (520 km) |
|---|---|
| Designation | Alaska Route 3 |
| South end | Gateway, near Palmer |
| North end | Fairbanks |
| Completed | 1971 |
| Renamed | 1975 |
Route
The highway runs from a junction with the Glenn Highway at Gateway, about 35 miles north of Anchorage, to Fairbanks. It is part of the unsigned Interstate A-4 and mostly parallels the Alaska Railroad. Mileposts begin at Mile 35 near Palmer, continuing the Glenn Highway numbering, and two sections are built to freeway standard, near Palmer and Wasilla and the Robert J. Mitchell Expressway in Fairbanks.[1]
History and name
It was originally called the Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway, was completed in 1971 and was renamed the George Parks Highway in 1975 for George Alexander Parks, governor of the Territory of Alaska from 1925 to 1933. The source says the name does not refer to the nearby Denali parks.[1]
Denali access
The highway is the principal access to Denali National Park and Preserve and Denali State Park, and Cantwell lies at the junction with the Denali Highway.[1]
FAQs
How long is the Parks Highway? 323 miles.
When was it completed? 1971.
Who is it named for? Territorial governor George Alexander Parks.
Sources
Key facts
- 323 miles
- Alaska Route 3
Quick checkWhen was the Parks Highway completed?Show answer
1971
Sources
- Wikipedia. George Parks Highway. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue