Q: I’m excited to visit Denali this summer but I’m frustrated that every option I find for exploring the park involves some big group tour. I’d rather stay solo as much as I can—what do you suggest?

A: Denali National Park is massive—6 million acres—so it’s no surprise that a lot of people feel overwhelmed and prefer to have a guide (or, in most cases, a bus) take them in and then back out. Still, it’s not hard to chart your own Denali experience without being confined to a bus or a large group. Here are my suggestions:

• Build your own tour of Denali using the Park Shuttle. The hop-on, hop-off Park Shuttle, sponsored by the National Parks, takes you further into the park than most classic bus tours (up to 86 miles, compared to 60 or even 19) but also gives you unparalleled freedom. You can take it as far as you want, get off, explore, and then hop on another bus to come back at the end of the day. It’s also a solid value: It starts at $23, compared to about $100 or more for other tours.

• Rent a Bike. The outfitter Denali Outdoor Center has a location just two miles from the Park entrance, and makes it easy for you to get a bike and either pedal on your own or even join a small tour. Rentals start at $14 for two hours, $25 for a half day or $40 for a full day. You can even book a ride into the park, get off where you want, then ride part or all the way back.

• Check out the Denali Education Center. Formerly known as the Denali Foundation, this local nonprofit hosts occasional evening lectures, concerts and even some morning yoga classes; check their calendar for events.

• Fly out to Kantishna. Roughly 90 miles into the Park, this is an area of Denali that few visitors ever reach. You can go in and out in one day using Kantishna Air Taxi’s "Denali Depot Express." Kantishna Roadhouse, or you can even stay overnight. We have details on doing both on Alaska.org, on our pages Denali Solo Activities and Kantishna Lodging.