Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is at the top of more than one list of superlatives. At 13.2 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest U.S. national park and preserve. When combined with Glacier Bay National Park and Canada's Kluane National Park and Tatshenshini-Alsek Park, it is the biggest piece of the largest internationally protected area in the world: 24 million acres—larger than the state of Indiana. This World Heritage Site provides a crucial refuge for grizzly bear, caribou, and Dall sheep. Nine of the 16 highest peaks in the United States, and some of the largest mountains (by volume) in the world, are located here. The largest concentration of Dall sheep in North America live here. Enough copper and gold were found here early in the 20th century to make it one of the area's richest deposits. Read More »
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Highlights
For a challenging and rewarding trek with Pangaea Adventures, hike over the Root Glacier with your crampons. Camp with views of ice falls and towering peaks. It's a great escape without having to hire a bush plane. This moderately strenuous backpacking trip includes camping in the rolling tundra at the base of Donoho Peak. This section of the tour incorporates basic wilderness skills and is an introduction to off-trail, Alaskan-style hiking and glacier trekking.
Somewhat strenuous at times, but with great views of the Chitina river basin, Mount Logan, the Chugach Range, and Mount George, this Wrangell-St. Elias backpacking trip led by Alaska Alpine Treks visits some of the park's remotest country. Both grizzly and black bears roam here, and you may spot Dall sheep, mountain goats, wolves, and a variety of birds.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve has no entrance stations or gates and never actually closes. However, winter arrives early in interior Alaska, and by September 15, available services and facilities are few. The park administration building in Copper Center is open weekdays year-round.
No permit is required for recreational snow machines to operate anywhere in the park when there is adequate snow cover (approximately 12 inches) and frozen ground.
By Travel Expert:
Karen Kefauver
Roughly 25 percent larger than Switzerland, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest and wildest national park in America, with unprecedented opportunities for camping and backpacking in the front- or backcountry.
Some of the world’s best bush pilots fly in the Wrangell-St. Elias. Hire Wrangell Mountain Air in McCarthy to drop you off at Iceberg Lake in the Chugach Range for wilderness camping and hiking among dramatic glaciers and mountains.
Find hot showers and fresh water at the Glacier View Campground, mile 59 of the McCarthy Road, and enjoy the scenic views and camaraderie with other campers.
The prime time of year for visiting Wrangell-St. Elias is from June 20 to August 20, but don't think that there won't be any backcountry hardship. Wrangell-St. Elias is a mountain wilderness unlike any other. It is almost entirely roadless, there are no maintained trails in the park, and access is only by unpaved road, boat, or plane.
6
By Travel Expert:
Jeremy Pataky
What You Can Do in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Discover Alaska on foot on this 9-day adventure with day hikes in a wide variety of terrain - ranging from trail-less tundra and alpine lakes to mountain ridges and temperate rainforest.......
Break away from the ordinary and experience the legendary with our Alaska Life List Adventure - an Alaska trip like no other we know with an amazing...
