Alaska and Pacific Northwest Region
WRANGELL – ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK
AND PRESERVE
Welcome to Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest national park in the United States, located in south-central Alaska. This vast wilderness features towering mountains, massive glaciers, and some of the most remote landscapes in North America.
Did You Know?
- Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest U.S. National Park, spanning over 13.2 million acres, larger than Switzerland and over six times larger than Yellowstone National Park.
- Despite its size it is one of the least visited National Parks
- Mount Wrangell is one of North America’s largest volcanoes while Mount St. Elias is the second highest peak in the United States.
My Personal Experience
Wrangell–St. Elias is the largest park in the National Park System, and even after two visits, I’ve only seen a tiny fraction of it. What makes it unique is the combination of extreme scale and accessibility: you have some of the highest peaks in North America within just a few miles of tidewater.
I started both visits at the main visitor center near Glennallen. From there, two dirt roads lead into the park. I chose to drive to Chitina and continue along the McCarthy Road toward the Kennecott mining area. Plan 2–3 hours for this 60-mile drive. It’s rough, full of potholes, and not all rental car companies allow it – so check in advance. Be prepared for basic self-sufficiency, including changing a tire if needed.
If you’re too tired to hike after the drive, consider a flightseeing tour from McCarthy. It is one of the best ways to appreciate the scale of this park.
Basic Facts
Address:
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
PO Box 439
Copper Center, AK 99573
Operation Hours and Seasons:
The park is open year-round, with visitor centers and facilities having seasonal hours.
Visitors:
Over 70,000 per year (2022)
Entrance Fees:
The park does not charge an entrance fee.
Website:
nps.gov/wrst
Map:
nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Additional Information:
For additional local information, visit wrangellmountains.org.
Best Time to Visit
Late June through early September is the best time as park services are available, weather is pleasant and summer days are long.
Recommended Time
1 Day: Not recommended. At best, you’ll visit the Copper Center Visitor Center and perhaps a short nearby trail. The true scale of the park and its key features are far beyond a one-day visit.
2-3 Days: The minimum realistic timeframe. This allows you to drive either McCarthy Road or Nabesna Road, explore the Kennecott area, and complete one or two hikes. You may also have time for a flightseeing tour or rafting trip. Spend additional days to explore both roads.
Getting There
The closest major city is Anchorage, Alaska. From Anchorage, drive northeast on the Glenn Highway (AK-1) to the Richardson Highway (AK-4) to Copper Center.
Weather
Wrangell–St. Elias experiences classic Alaskan variability, with conditions differing dramatically between low valleys, glaciers, and high mountain environments:
- Spring (March to May): 20s–50s°F (-6 to 10°C). Snow begins melting at lower elevations while higher areas remain snow-covered. Wildlife becomes more active.
- Summer (June to August): 50s–70s°F (10–21°C). The most favorable season for hiking, flightseeing, and exploring the park’s road-accessible areas. Long daylight hours maximize sightseeing opportunities.
- Fall (September to November): 20s to 50s°F (-6 to 10°C). Beautiful fall colors, cooler temperatures, and the possibility of early snowfall.
- Winter (December to February): 0s–20s°F (-18 to -6°C). Extremely cold conditions with deep snow and very limited access.
Weather can change rapidly at any time of year. Rain, fog, and low clouds frequently affect visibility, especially around glaciers and mountain peaks. Visitors should always carry extra layers and be prepared for changing conditions.
Hiking
Wrangell–St. Elias offers a mix of maintained trails and true backcountry routes:
Easy:
- Root Glacier Trail – 4 miles round trip: A relatively accessible hike leading onto a glacier, with views of surrounding peaks and ice formations.
- Kennecott Mill Town: A short walk through a historic mining site with interpretive signs and dramatic mountain backdrops.
Moderate:
- Skookum Volcano Trail – 5.5 miles loop: Leads through an eroded volcanic landscape with excellent alpine views.
Strenuous:
- Bonanza Mine Trail – 9 miles round trip: A steep climb with ~3,800 feet of elevation gain, rewarded with sweeping views of glaciers and surrounding peaks like the Chugach Mountains, Mt. Blackburn, and the Kennicott Glacier.
- Skolai Pass: A challenging backcountry route through remote terrain with breathtaking views of the pass and surrounding peaks. Best suited for experienced hikers.
Scenic Drives
McCarthy Road: This 60 miles mostly gravel road leads to the former mining town of Kennecott and the visitor center with the same name. One way trip takes about three hours. Check weather conditions before attempting. Most rental car companies will not allow driving on McCarthy road.
Nabesna Road: 42 mile road to the former Nabesna mine. Passable for most two-wheel drive vehicles. Higher clearance might be needed beyond mile 29 due to stream crossings.
Best Viewpoints
- Wrangell–St. Elias Visitor Center: The short nature trail behind the visitor center offers excellent views of the Wrangell Mountains and serves as a great introduction to the park’s immense scale.
- Kennecott Mining Town: Historic mining buildings framed by glaciers and towering peaks create one of the park’s most iconic scenes.
- Nabesna Road: Numerous pullouts provide sweeping views of mountains, river valleys, and vast wilderness landscapes with very few visitors.
Wildlife Viewing
Wrangell–St. Elias supports an impressive variety of wildlife across its mountains, glaciers, forests, and river valleys. Visitors may encounter black bears, grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and bald eagles, although sightings often require patience due to the park’s immense size. Dall sheep are frequently seen on steep mountain slopes, while moose are more commonly found in lower-elevation wetlands and river corridors. Along both McCarthy Road and Nabesna Road, attentive visitors often spot wildlife while driving. Early morning and evening typically provide the best opportunities for animal sightings.
Photography
Wrangell–St. Elias offers dramatic and varied photography opportunities:
- Historic Sites: Kennecott’s abandoned mining structures create striking contrasts with the surrounding wilderness and glaciers.
- Glaciers & Mountains: Massive icefields, rugged peaks, and broad valleys dominate the landscape, particularly along McCarthy Road and Nabesna Road.
- Aerial Photography: Flightseeing tours provide unmatched perspectives of glaciers, volcanoes, and some of the largest mountain scenery in North America.
- Wildlife: Patient photographers may be rewarded with images of bears, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep in their natural habitat.
Lighting conditions can shift quickly. Be ready for changing weather, dramatic cloud formations, and rapidly changing visibility around the mountains.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is not offered in the park and there is no official guidance for pack use on the park’s website. Outfitters outside the park used to offer trail rides but as of publication date none seemed to be in business.
General Aviation
Flightseeing is one of the best ways to experience the beauty and size of this park.
Most operators of air taxis / flight seeing tours operate out of the towns of Glennallen, McCarthy, or Chitina. These locations make also good destinations for general aviation pilots visiting the park.
Gulkana Airport (PAGK) in Gulkana, AK:
- North of the town of Glennallen and about 11 miles north of the Copper Center Visitor Center
- Longest runway: 5,001 ft
- 100LL available
- No rental cars available
McCarthy Airport (PAMX)(15Z) in McCarthy, AK:
- Close to the Kennecott mining town
- 3,501 feet gravel runway in fair condition
- No fuel available
- No rental cars
Chitina Airport (CXC) in Chitina, AK:
- Terminus of McCarthy road to Kennecott
- 2,850 feet gravel runway in fair conditions
- No fuel available
- No rental cars
Closest available rental car options seem to be in Anchorage, AK. Gulkana and Chitina Airports are therefore good options for starting flight seeing tours only. McCarthy is perfect for hiking the Kennecott area trails. Pilots are in mountainous terrain with peaks rising more than 14,000 feet and rapidly changing weather. Mountain and bush pilot training is highly recommended.
Nearby Attractions
- Tolsona Mud Volcanoes: bubbling mud pots and springs off the Glenn Highway.
- Liberty Falls State Recreation Site: A scenic waterfall on the Edgerton Highway
- Chitina: A historic “ghost town” area with old mining ruins
- Copper Center: Features the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Visitor Center, offering exhibits on the area’s history and geology
Important Tips
- Weather & Flexibility: Conditions can change quickly, especially in mountainous terrain. Rain, fog, and wind can impact both driving and flightseeing. Always build flexibility into your schedule, particularly if you rely on flights.
- Road Conditions & Driving: Roads like McCarthy Road are rough, remote, and require preparation. Flat tires, limited services, and long travel times are common. Check rental car restrictions and carry basic emergency supplies.
- Logistics & Planning: The park is enormous and infrastructure is minimal. Plan your route, activities, and lodging carefully in advance. Distances are deceiving, and travel takes longer than expected.
- Lodging & Services: Accommodation options are limited, especially near McCarthy and Kennecott. Book early, and be aware that services such as fuel, food, and supplies are sparse once you leave main towns.
- Wildlife & Safety: This is bear country. Carry bear spray, store food properly, and maintain safe distances. Inform someone of your plans, especially if heading into remote areas.
- Navigation & Communication: Cell service is extremely limited or nonexistent. Carry maps, GPS devices, or satellite communication tools if venturing beyond main access points.
- Flightseeing: Weather delays and cancellations are common. If a flightseeing tour is important to your trip, schedule it early in your stay to maximize flexibility for rescheduling.
Wrangell–St. Elias is a park defined by scale, solitude, and raw wilderness. Whether you explore it by rough backcountry road or from the air, you’ll quickly realize that this is not a park you “check off”. It is one you experience in small pieces. Even a short visit delivers towering mountains, massive glaciers, and a sense of isolation that’s increasingly rare.
