Wrangell - St Elias National Park

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park is the largest unit of the National Park System. This Alaska National Park is home to the most peaks over 16,000 feet in North America, including the second tallest, Mount St. Elias. The tremendous area of land is extremely diverse, with enormous mountains, glaciers, river valleys, tundra, and coastline. Wrangell – St. Elias National Park is a mecca for backcountry travelers. People from all over the world come to the park to climb the enormous peaks or explore deep wilderness valleys. The park also has a distinct copper mining history at the Kennecott Mine, and many of the historic structures are still standing.

Wrangell – St. Elias’s summer season is early June through early September. The main visitor center is located in Copper Center and is open year round; summer hours are approximately 8 am – 6 pm daily. There is also a visitor center in Kennicott open in the summer from approximately 9:30 am – 5 pm. The Kennicott Mine is a historic landmark that draws many visitors each summer. Others come to the area for the amazing views of the Kennicott Glacier. Guided glacier trekking and flightseeing tours are available.

Wrangell – St Elias can be accessed by road or air. Daily flights and van transfers are offered from the town of Chitina to McCarthy. It is not recommended to drive to Kennicott as it is a poorly maintained road, flat tires and vehicle damage are common. The towns of McCarthy and Kennicott are the access points to the park.

The Kennicott Glacier Lodge provides guests the best access to the Kennecott Mine and Glacier. It is located in an abandoned mining town with many historic buildings in the area. Glacier hikes and history tours are offered from the lodge. If you prefer a more remote wilderness lodge experience, we can recommend Ultima Thule Lodge. This lodge is located in the mountain wilderness of Wrangell – St Elias, and is owned and run by long time Alaska adventurers. The lodge offers some of the best backcountry skiing in the world during winter and spring months. Summertime offers hiking, fishing, rafting, mountain trekking, and flightseeing. Perfect for anyone with an adventurous lifestyle or spirit!