National Park

Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

National Park
Wrangell–St. Elias landscape with a glacier-fed turquoise lake, rugged cliffs, and snow-capped peaks in the distance.

Wrangell-St. Elias is a vast national park that rises from the ocean all the way up to 18,008 ft. At 13.2 million acres, the park is the same size as Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined! Within this wild landscape, people continue to live off the land as they have done for centuries. This rugged, beautiful land is filled with opportunities for adventure.

Plan your visit

Best Time To Visit
May–September offers the broadest access; anticipate winter closures and limited services outside this window

Highlights

Why Visit
Wrangell-St. Elias spans a colossal landscape that commands respect. Its scale makes it not a playground but a study in wildland management: vast rivers, high crests, and a patchwork of designated camps and backcountry routes. The park sustains a mix of subsistence and public-use areas, with historic mining towns and remote road corridors that test every traveler’s preparation. You’ll encounter profound quiet, persistent weather shifts, and a responsibility to travel with care and awareness of the backcountry realities.
Top Things To Do
  • Drive Nabesna Road (42 miles) with early-season stops
  • Take the McCarthy Kennicott Shuttle to explore the Kennecott mines
  • Camp or backpack in designated areas along Nabesna Road
  • Explore Copper Center, Slana, and Chitina gateway towns

Areas to plan around

Copper Center Corridor
Copper Center Visitor Center; Richardson Highway access; subsistence permits desk
Kennecott / Kennicott
Kennecott Visitor Center; historic Kennecott copper mine area; McCarthy Road access and shuttle link to Kennicott
Nabesna Road Corridor
Nabesna Road start at Slana; Nabesna Ranger Station; remote backcountry access; designated camping nearby
Chitina / Slana Gateways
Chitina Ranger Station on McCarthy Road; Slana Ranger Station on Nabesna Road; road start points and services

Getting there & around

Getting There Airports
Anchorage (ANC) Ted Stevens International, Fairbanks (FAI) International
Getting There Driving Distances
Anchorage to Copper Center ~360 miles; Nabesna Road length 42 miles; McCarthy Road length 60 miles
Getting There Entrances
Slana Ranger Station at Nabesna Road start; Chitina Ranger Station at McCarthy Road start
Getting Around Shuttles
Shuttle system operates in McCarthy to Kennicott
Getting Around Parking
Limited RV/trailer parking in front of Copper Center Visitor Center; RVs should not park behind the visitor center

Where to stay

Where To Stay Inpark Lodging
14 public-use cabins; four cabins are reservable in advance; three cabins are accessible by road near Slana Ranger Station; most cabins require air access
Where To Stay Campgrounds
Designated camping areas off Nabesna Road; backcountry camping permitted park-wide; privately-owned campgrounds off McCarthy Road; several cabins exist (air access or road access)
Where To Stay Gateway Towns
Slana, Chitina, Copper Center

Safety & wildlife

Safety Bear Country
Wildlife present; bear-aware practices recommended; food storage required; keep distance from animals; bears can be encountered near road corridors and camp areas; fines apply for improper storage
Safety Weather
Weather can shift quickly; snow is possible in fall/winter/spring; lightning risk common in exposed high country; prepare for sudden storms and cold snaps
Safety Altitude
Varies
Safety Leave No Trace
Pack it out; stay on designated trails; practice Leave No Trace
Safety Permits Needed
Federal subsistence permits available at Copper Center and Slana Ranger Station; Special Use Permits require contacting the Special Use Permit Coordinator (907-822-7206)
Wildlife Overview
Moose, Dall sheep, grizzly and black bears, caribou, mountain goats
Wildlife Where To See
Rivers and valley interfaces along Nabesna Road and Kennicott area; wildlife sightings common near watercourses
Wildlife Safety
Keep distance: 100 yards for bears, 25 yards for herbivores; secure food; backcountry camping requires proper storage

Trip strategy

Itinerary Strategy
Day 1: Nabesna Road exploration; Day 2: Kennicott mine and McCarthy shuttle; Day 3: Copper Center region or backcountry option
Entrance Hacks
No gate entry; roads operate year-round; winter maintenance is limited; plan for possible road conditions and carry maps
Basecamp Logic
WEST SIDE (Copper Center): closer services; more frequent summer operations; EAST SIDE (Kennicott): higher country exposure, limited dining; split stay if possible
Crowd Calendar
July brings higher visitation and humidity; September is cooler and quieter; June can be damp but access remains feasible
Tips Advice
  • No park entrance fee; plan for backcountry travel
  • McCarthy Kennicott Shuttle exists; coordinate times
  • Do not feed wildlife; prepare for remote conditions

More details

Park Code
wrst
Tagline
America's largest national park
Quick Facts Entrance Fees
Fee-free park. No on-site entrance pass; Federal passes such as the America the Beautiful Pass are not sold here
Nearby Services
Copper Center, Slana, Chitina offer basic services; fuel and medical access limited in remote segments
Family Friendly Notes
Not specifically detailed; expect backcountry travel demands; check gate access and center hours before bringing young children
Accessibility
Accessibility limited; trails and facilities vary by site; plan for rugged terrain and seasonal closures
Photography Tips
Positioned rivers and glacier approaches offer wide-scape opportunities; manage traffic and respect active roads for safety
When To Visit Peak Season
July is peak season with higher crowds; parking and road access on Nabesna and McCarthy Roads can be tight
When To Visit Shoulder Season
Late May–early June and late August–September offer fewer crowds but cooler nights; repairs and accessibility may be limited
When To Visit Winter
October–April; many facilities closed; winter driving possible with self-reliance; roads not consistently maintained
When To Visit Road Opening
Roads are open year-round but winter maintenance is inconsistent; a safety corridor on Dunes Drive (mile 3–5.5) restricts stopping/exiting
Weather Averages
Interior Alaskan climate with long winter season and short, cool summers; conditions vary by elevation and exposure
Weather Precipitation
Precipitation varies; expect rain in summer; snow possible outside summer months; interior locations can experience rapid weather changes
Weather Info
Varies widely depending on location in park and time of year. Visit https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/weather.htm for detailed information.
What To Bring Essential Gear
Bear spray, layers, waterproof shell, sturdy boots, map/compass, water, headlamp, first-aid kit
What To Bring Clothing
Wool or synthetic layers; water-resistant outerwear; insulated midlayer; reliable footwear; avoid cotton
Review Summary
Expect remote, minimal services with a focus on preparation and timing; crowds are manageable in shoulder seasons but access can be weather-dependent

Location

Glaciers loom over the ocean with large snowy mountains rising into blue skiesTwo backpackers sitting in an alpine meadow with snowy mountains in the backgroundHistoric, large, red buildings with mountains in the backgroundA large glacier with stripes of different colored rock nestled in between barren mountain slopes.Four large snow covered mountains rise above dense forest into blue skies.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to camp in Wrangell-St. Elias?

Backcountry camping is allowed; obtain Special Use Permits if required for specific uses; check with Copper Center or Slana Ranger Station for subsistence and use guidelines.

Is there a park-wide shuttle?

There is a shuttle system in McCarthy for Kennicott access; no park-wide mandatory shuttle.

Are there fees to enter?

No; Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve has no entrance fee.

What is the best way to see Kennicott?

Take the McCarthy Road to access the Kennicott area; consider the Kennicott Shuttle to visit the mine and surrounding terrain.

When do visitor centers operate?

Copper Center and Slana centers operate seasonally (roughly May–Sept); Chitina has limited hours; plan accordingly.

Crystalline Hills Trail

Moderate 2.5-mi loop with steep scrambles and valley views. Summer bugs are brutal—bring spray and water strategy.

Boreal Forest Trail

Flat river-bluff loop, 0.5 miles, zero elevation. Valdez Trail history, interpretive panels. 30-minute walk.

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Kennicott

Historic mining ghost town and National Landmark. 2 lodges, 1 cafe. Book summer early.

McCarthy

Historic hamlet at Root Glacier and mining site; accessible by rough road, shuttle, or plane. Summer only. Extreme remoteness, limited services.

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Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated August 2026. Report an issue.