Cantwell was named after an army lieutenant who surveyed the area around the Cantwell River, the former name of the Nenana River. The first people to use the Cantwell area were hunting parties of Athabaskan Indians. Many relatives of these Native Alaskans still reside in Cantwell today. The coming of the railroad in 1916 made way for a population growth. The original rail stop is located about two miles off the Parks Highway and is still thought of as the village’s center.
The local economy is based on tourism and transportation. The Alaska Department of Transportation has a maintenance facility in Cantwell. The Alaska Railroad also employs Cantwell residents as does Denali National Park, which is 27 miles north. Local services provide jobs and fill the needs of visitors to the area.
Cantwell is small and personal. The Cantwell School, which is part of the Denali Borough School District, is one of the central activity centers for many families. Volunteers make up the staff of the Emergency Medical Team and the Fire Department. There is also a small clinic for the area.
Because of Cantwell’s unique location at the intersection of the Parks and the Denali highways, recreational opportunities abound. Head east out the unpaved Denali Highway for spectacular views of Mount McKinley and much of the Alaska Range. This area is becoming widely popular with snowmachine enthusiasts in the winter. Summer visitors enjoy the remoteness, quiet streams and lakes, opportunities for fishing and wide open alpine vistas.
Cantwell is 150 miles south of Fairbanks and 210 miles north of Anchorage. The Parks Highway is the main road between these two cities, making Cantwell a great spot to stop. There are fishing possibilities and fishing licenses available. Just ask local businesses where to buy one. You can find lodging, gas, meals, flight opportunities, and friendly people willing to share their knowledge of the area with those who come. Plan to visit Cantwell during your stay in the Denali Park area.