Polychrome Overlook
Polychrome Pass
A cliffside viewpoint at mile 46 of the park road, where volcanic mountains show bands of red, yellow and purple above a braided river valley.
Polychrome Pass takes its name from mountains built of volcanic rock in different colours, which in sunlight show bands of red, orange, yellow and purple. The viewpoint sits where the road hugs a cliff. Below lies the wide braided river valley of the East Fork of the Toklat River, where grizzly bears, caribou and wolves are often seen on the riverbed. It is a must-stop rest point for the bus. The road is narrow and has no guardrails, so people who are afraid of heights may feel nervous. Since 2021, the section beyond mile 43 has been closed because of the Pretty Rocks landslide. Check NPS announcements for reopening.
Opening hours
Summer (depends on bus service)
Nearby sights
- Sable Pass
- Toklat River
- Teklanika River
- Eielson Visitor Center
- Primrose Ridge (Mount Margaret)
- Savage River Loop Trail
- Healy & Into the Wild Bus Replica
- Denali Sled Dog Kennels