Wrangell-St. Elias

Overview

Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States, covering 13.2 million acres — an area larger than Switzerland. Four major mountain ranges converge here: the Wrangell, St. Elias, Chugach, and Alaska ranges, creating a landscape of staggering vertical relief where 18,008-foot Mount St. Elias rises almost directly from sea level. The park contains nine of the sixteen highest peaks in the country and the largest collection of glaciers in North America, including the Malaspina Glacier, larger than the state of Rhode Island. Two rough gravel roads provide the only vehicle access. The McCarthy Road leads 60 miles to the historic copper mining town of McCarthy and the preserved Kennecott Mines, a National Historic Landmark where red mill buildings perch on a hillside above the Root Glacier. Visitors can take guided glacier hikes, explore the mine ruins, and walk the stunning trails around the old company town. The Nabesna Road on the park's northern side offers a quieter alternative with excellent wildlife viewing. Despite its immense size, Wrangell-St. Elias is surprisingly accessible for those willing to drive the gravel roads. Day hikes from McCarthy to the Root Glacier and through the Kennecott mill town require no bush plane, and the scale of the scenery — glaciers, mountains, and river valleys stretching to every horizon — is unmatched anywhere in the park system.

Things to Do

• Explore the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark
• Hike on Root Glacier with crampons
• Drive the McCarthy Road to the end of civilization
• Flightseeing over the Wrangell and St. Elias ranges
• Raft the Chitina or Copper River
• Backpack into the Wrangell Mountains backcountry
• Visit the old mining town of McCarthy

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for these animals during your visit:

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Interior valleys can reach 70-80°F in summer, while higher elevations stay cold year-round. Rain is moderate in the McCarthy area. Coastal sections receive heavy precipitation.