Visiting Wrangell - St Elias

Visiting The Park

With towering mountains, massive glaciers, powerful rivers, a seemingly endless variety of flora and fauna—plus Kennecott, a National Historic Landmark—Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a national treasure with something for everyone. Consisting of more than 13 million acres, the park is located in a setting full of natural and historic wonders.

Visitors can choose from a variety of activities that may include travel by road, air, trail, river, or for an added element of adventure, a backcountry trip. Backcountry travel in the park presents challenges to even the hardiest travelers, but those who persevere will be rewarded with a vast, pristine wilderness and remarkable solitude.

Visiting Kennecott is safe when done from the outside, with a tour guide or in any historic area open for public viewing. Use caution and keep to the gravel path, and avoid the steep slopes where loose debris is present. Likewise, do not attempt to walk on decks or stairs attached to the buildings. The doors of the buildings are locked, however, a local guide company has permission to lead groups through the safer interiors. The Kennecott Visitor Center is open summers daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The recently opened Wrangell- St. Elias National Park Visitor Center, located on the Richardson Highway between Glennallen and Copper Center, is open weekdays 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. year-round except federal holidays; additionally in the summer (from June through Labor Day) daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (staff allowing). Slana Ranger Station is open year-round weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and in summer daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Yakutat Ranger Station is open weekdays as staffing allows for winter, and open daily as staffing allows in summer; inquire locally in Yakutat.

Ranger-led programs are presented in the summer at Princess Lodge in Copper Center; inquire locally as to times, topics and location.

The most direct way to reach the park by commercial plane is to fly into Anchorage, then take one of the air taxis to the Gulkana Airport in Glennallen and on into the park. If you're traveling by car, the Copper Center Visitor Center is about four hours east of Anchorage. Two gravel roads enter the park—the McCarthy Road and Nabesna Road. Be advised, though, that some car rental companies prohibit clients from accessing these roads. For more information, contact the Headquarters Copper Center at (907) 822-5234; Nabesna District Ranger Station at (907) 822-5238; Chitina District Ranger Station at (907) 823-2205; or Yakutat Ranger Station at (907) 784-3295. You can also write to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, 106.8 Richardson Hwy., P.O. Box 439, Copper Center, AK 99573-0439.