Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Alaska Est. 1980

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Mountains Glacier River
Plan a visit Check conditions
Established
1980
Size
8,323,148 acres
Visitors / yr
82K
Entrance
Free
Best season
June through September
Nearest airport
ANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International
Danger: Landslide hazard - Root Glacier Trail Closed Area Details Wildfire Tracker
01

Why Wrangell-St. Elias is worth the trip

Alaska · Established 1980

Wrangell-St. Elias is the country's largest national park, and no comparison really lands. Thirteen million acres, bigger than Switzerland, holding nine of the sixteen highest peaks in the United States and a glacier, the Malaspina, larger than Rhode Island. Yet nearly everyone who visits funnels down one gravel road to McCarthy, and that is not a mistake. It is the way in.

Kennecott anchors it, a copper boomtown abandoned in 1938 whose barn-red, 14-story mill still leans against a backdrop of ice. Walk onto Root Glacier from town with crampons, poke through the mill-town ruins, then look up at the peaks and understand that everything you can reach here is the front porch. Fly deeper if you can. This is a park where the map runs out before the land does.

02

Top things to do in Wrangell-St. Elias

Where we would start, and what we would plan a day around.

01 Fishing at Wrangell-St. Elias Fishing · nps.gov Fishing at Wrangell-St. Elias Sport fishing in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park offers many opportunities. Arctic grayling, dolly varden, lake trout, steelhead/rainbow trout, whitefish, sockeye salmon, coho salmon, and... 02 Ghost Towns Fixed Wing Flying · nps.gov Ghost Towns Ghost towns were once thriving communities that have dwindled over the decades, often created by the search for gold, copper and other valuable minerals.... 03 Front country Hiking Trails Front-Country Hiking · nps.gov Front country Hiking Trails Hiking in Wrangell-St. Elias can be spectacular and we encourage you to go, but be prepared! Most of the front country hiking trails are maintained... 04 Backpacking in Wrangell-St Elias Backcountry Hiking · nps.gov Backpacking in Wrangell-St Elias A backpacking trip in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve can be an exciting and rewarding experience if you are prepared for the difficulties...
Before you go

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03

Plan your trip

Our guides for the big decisions, plus the gear, maps and lodging we would actually use for Wrangell-St. Elias.

Fun Facts

Where to stay

Gateway towns with lodging, food and outfitters.

  • McCarthy, AKGateway town
  • Glennallen, AKGateway town
  • Chitina, AKGateway town
  • Kendesnii Campground 10 sites
Compare stays near Wrangell-St. Elias

Maps & guides

Carry paper. Cell service dies fast inside most parks.

Wrangell-St. Elias Trails Illustrated map
Waterproof National Geographic topo of the park.
View on Amazon
Wrangell-St. Elias field guide
Trail-by-trail detail and planning help in print.
View on Amazon
America the Beautiful pass
$80 a year. Covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Get the pass

What to bring

Field-tested picks we bring on park trips.

  • Bear Spray
    Required carry in grizzly country. Practice the quick-draw before you need it. View on REI
  • Trekking Poles
    Save your knees on steep descents and river crossings. View on REI
  • Rain Jacket
    Mountain weather turns fast. Pack a shell even on clear mornings. View on REI
  • Fleece Jacket
    Mid-layer warmth for alpine mornings and evening campfires. View on REI

Getting there

  • ANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International 250 mi
  • CDV Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith (Cordova) 75 mi
NPS Official Page Reservations Google Maps

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Wrangell-St. Elias map

VC Visitor Center CG Campground Nearby Park
04

When to go

Loading weather...

Live Webcams

Kennecott Mill and Mt. Blackburn Live
Kennecott Mill and Mt. Blackburn
Wrangell Mountains from Park Headquarters Live
Wrangell Mountains from Park Headquarters

Month-by-Month Conditions

Tap any month for details

Month
High
Low
Crowds
Roads
Jan
5°
-12°
Low
Partial
Feb
16°
-5°
Low
Partial
Mar
28°
1°
Low
Partial
Apr
44°
21°
Low
Partial
May
58°
33°
Moderate
Open
Jun Best
67°
42°
Peak
Open
Jul Best
69°
46°
Peak
Open
Aug Best
65°
42°
Peak
Open
Sep Best
54°
33°
Moderate
Open
Oct
36°
18°
Low
Open
Nov
15°
-1°
Low
Partial
Dec
8°
-8°
Low
Partial
Best months to visit Crowd level (low to peak)
05

More Wrangell-St. Elias guides

06

Parks near Wrangell-St. Elias

Within reach if you are building a longer trip.

Kenai Fjords National Park
Alaska

Kenai Fjords

256 miles away
Denali National Park
Alaska

Denali

264 miles away
Glacier Bay National Park
Alaska

Glacier Bay

298 miles away
Lake Clark National Park
Alaska

Lake Clark

349 miles away

Worth protecting

Wrangell-St. Elias belongs to all of us

Protections that took generations to win can be rolled back in a single session of Congress. We keep watch so they hold.

See what's at stake Join the fight for Alaska

Threatened Lands Map

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