Wrangell St. Elias is an expansive park that rises from sea level all the way to 18,008ft. Covering more than 13.2 million acres, this park is the same size as Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined!!! Inside this wild landscape, people still live off the land as they've done for centuries. Obviously, this place is full of adventures.
Current Park Alerts
Live from the National Park Service · Official park site →
Plan Your Visit
Hours & Season
The park and public lands are always open but visitor facilities have limited seasons: Open in Summer. Call ahead for hours: Copper Center (907) 822-7250, Slana (907) 822-7401, Chitina (907) 823-7250 and Kennecott (907) 205-7106. CLOSED Mid-September through April.
Weather
Varies widely depending on location in park and time of year. Visit https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/weather.htm for detailed information.
Things to Do
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 chinook salmon are widespread. Nothern Pike, cutthroat trout, chum salmon and pink salmon are also available in select areas. Local residents catch burbot, lake trout, rainbow trout, and whitefish through the ice in the winter.
Ghost Towns
Reservation requiredGhost towns were once thriving communities that have dwindled over the decades, often created by the search for gold, copper and other valuable minerals. Some vanished entirely after the boom or were absorbed into newer settlements, but many of these towns still stand today, allowing us a nostalgic glimpse into the past. These places are where people ventured into remote areas to find their mineral fortune and endured the hardships of wilderness, wildlife and weather.
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 for the first few miles and then become routes into the backcountry, where route finding and navigational skills are highly recommended. There are hiking trails in the Copper Center area, on Nabesna Road and on McCarthy Road.
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 of traveling through rugged, undeveloped land.
Webcams
Webcam views from the Visitor Center at Park Headquarters in Copper Center, Kennecott Mill and Mt. Blackburn and Kennicott Glacier and the Chugach Range.
Virtual Tours
Explore with geologists and their helicopter pilot around Kennicott Glacier on an interactive website virtual tour to learn how National Park Service staff monitor changes in the size of the glacier! Check out the Terrestrial LiDAR Scanning Project with 3-D data collected which provides precise measurements needed for the Stabilization Project of the mill structures.
Getting There
Address: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve Copper Center AK 99573
The administrative building and main park visitor center are located along the Richardson Highway (Hwy 4), which is a paved state highway that runs through Copper Center, AK. The buildings are 8 miles south of the Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway intersection near Glennallen, Alaska. This is approximately 200 miles east of Anchorage, AK and 250 miles south of Fairbanks, AK.
Get driving directions → Official NPS directions →Where to Stay – Campgrounds
Kendesnii Campground
10 sites · Free
Located on the Nabesna Road, this free camping area is the only National Park Service campground in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It has 10 designated camp…
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation or permit to visit Wrangell-St. Elias National Park?
Some entry windows or activities at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park require a reservation or permit. Check the Current Park Alerts and Things to Do sections above, and confirm on the official NPS site before you go.
When is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park open?
The park and public lands are always open but visitor facilities have limited seasons: Open in Summer. Call ahead for hours: Copper Center (907) 822-7250, Slana (907) 822-7401, Chitina (907) 823-7250 and Kennecott (907) 205-7106. CLOSED Mid-September through April.
What are the best things to do in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park?
Popular things to do in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park include Fishing at Wrangell-St. Elias, Ghost Towns, Front country Hiking Trails, Backpacking in Wrangell-St Elias. See Things to Do above for photos and details.
Are there campgrounds in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park?
Yes — Wrangell-St. Elias National Park has 1 campground, including Kendesnii Campground. See Campgrounds above for site counts, fees, and booking links.