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Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve covers roughly 13.2 million acres in southcentral Alaska, making it larger than the entire country of Switzerland and the largest national park in the United States. It shares a border with Canada's Kluane National Park, forming one of the world's largest internationally protected wilderness areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The park encompasses four major mountain ranges — the Wrangell, St. Elias, Alaska, and Chugach — and contains nine of the sixteen highest peaks in the United States. Glaciers cover roughly a third of the park's surface, including the Bagley Icefield, one of the largest non-polar icefields in the world. The Kennecott Glacier and its tributaries are among the most visited and studied in Alaska.
Despite its enormous scale, infrastructure within the park is intentionally minimal. Two unpaved roads — the McCarthy Road and the Nabesna Road — provide the only vehicle access into the interior. Most of the park is reachable only on foot, by small aircraft, or by river. This makes Wrangell–St. Elias a true wilderness destination, attracting serious backcountry travelers alongside visitors who come for the historic Kennecott Mines.
The community most associated with the park is McCarthy, a small, isolated town near the end of the McCarthy Road. Adjacent to McCarthy is Kennecott, a remarkably preserved former copper-mining settlement that operated from 1903 to 1938 and is now a National Historic Landmark managed in partnership with the National Park Service.
Before You Go
Permits and Registration
There are no entry fees or permits required to enter Wrangell–St. Elias, which is unusual for a major national park. However, backcountry travelers are strongly encouraged to register their trip plans with the park's visitor centers. This is not mandatory but is a genuine safety measure given the remoteness of the terrain.
Planning Essentials
- Visitor centers: The main visitor center is in Copper Center, near the park's western edge off the Richardson Highway. A smaller ranger station is located in Chitina, and a seasonal presence is maintained in McCarthy/Kennecott. Verify current hours on the NPS website before traveling.
- Cell service: Essentially nonexistent throughout most of the park and along the McCarthy Road. Download offline maps, carry a paper map, and consider a satellite communicator (such as a SPOT or Garmin inReach device) for any backcountry travel.
- Supplies: Stock up thoroughly in Glennallen or Valdez before heading into the park. McCarthy has very limited resupply options and prices reflect the remote logistics involved.
- Insects: Mosquitoes and gnats can be intense from late May through July. Quality head nets and DEET-based repellent are strongly recommended.
- Weather: Conditions change rapidly at elevation and can be severe even in summer. Waterproof layers, warm mid-layers, and sturdy footwear are essential regardless of forecast.
Visas
Wrangell–St. Elias is located entirely within the United States. For visa requirements, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and consult the U.S. Department of State or the official immigration authority relevant to your nationality.
Getting There
By Road
The most common approach is via the Richardson Highway to Glennallen, then south on the Edgerton Highway to Chitina, and finally along the McCarthy Road — approximately 60 miles of unpaved gravel — to the end of the road at the Kennicott River. The McCarthy Road is passable by most passenger vehicles when dry but can become rutted and rough after rain. Flat tires are common; carry at least one spare (ideally two) and know how to change it. The road is typically open from late spring through autumn; verify current conditions with the park before traveling.
The Nabesna Road (approximately 45 miles, unpaved) enters the northern part of the park from Slana on the Tok Cutoff Highway and offers a less-visited alternative with good wildlife viewing opportunities.
By Air
The nearest major airport is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), roughly 200 miles from the park's western boundary. Several small air-taxi services operate out of towns including Glennallen, Chitina, and McCarthy, providing access to remote areas of the park. Flying is often the only practical way to reach the park's interior wilderness. Verify current operators and schedules locally.
Crossing into McCarthy/Kennecott
Private vehicles cannot cross the Kennicott River into McCarthy. A footbridge allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross; shuttle services typically operate between the bridge and the McCarthy and Kennecott townsite during the visitor season. Verify current shuttle arrangements before arriving.
Getting Around
Within McCarthy and Kennecott, travel is on foot — the two communities are separated by about 4.5 miles of road, walkable in good weather. Seasonal shuttle services connect the footbridge, McCarthy, and Kennecott; confirm availability locally.
Beyond the road corridors, the park has no maintained trail system to speak of. Backcountry travel follows riverbeds, glacial moraines, ridgelines, and open tundra. Navigation skills, topographic maps, and a compass or GPS are essential. River crossings can be extremely hazardous; water levels fluctuate significantly with temperature and precipitation.
Small aircraft (air taxis) are the primary means of accessing remote areas and are widely used by mountaineers, hunters, and backcountry hikers. Bush pilots based in the region have extensive local knowledge and are a valuable source of current conditions. Book well in advance for peak summer season.
Where to Stay
Accommodation options are limited and should be booked well in advance — sometimes months ahead for peak summer travel.
McCarthy and Kennecott have a small number of lodges, guesthouses, and hostel-style accommodations. A few properties operate within or immediately adjacent to the Kennecott historic district. Research current options through the NPS website or established travel resources, as operators in this area can change season to season.
Camping is the most practical option for most visitors. The park has no developed campgrounds with hookups or similar amenities in the interior. Dispersed camping is permitted throughout most of the park; the NPS asks that campers follow Leave No Trace principles and, in bear country, use proper food storage (bear-resistant canisters are strongly recommended and may be required in some areas — verify with ranger staff). There is a small, basic campground near the Kennicott River footbridge.
Glennallen is the largest nearby town and has motels and services that serve as a practical base or staging point before entering the park. It is approximately 2.5 hours by road from McCarthy.
Things to See & Do
Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark
The red mill buildings of the former Kennecott copper mine are the park's most iconic visual landmark. The National Park Service and a private concessioner offer guided tours of the historic structures, including the 14-story concentration mill. This is the best way to access the building interiors safely and to understand the remarkable industrial and human history of the site. Tour availability and fees should be confirmed on the NPS website or locally.
Glacier Hiking
Root Glacier, accessible on foot from Kennecott, offers a relatively approachable glacier experience. Guided glacier hikes with crampons are offered by local outfitters and are recommended for those without prior glacier travel experience. The hike from Kennecott to the glacier edge is scenic and manageable for most visitors in reasonable physical condition.
Backcountry Hiking and Mountaineering
For experienced wilderness travelers, Wrangell–St. Elias offers some of the most demanding and rewarding backcountry in North America. Popular objectives include the Skolai Pass area, the Donoho Basin, and routes onto the Wrangell volcanoes. Mount Blackburn (16,390 ft) and Mount St. Elias (18,009 ft) are serious mountaineering objectives requiring full expedition planning.
Wildlife Viewing
- Along the Nabesna Road: Moose, Dall sheep, caribou, and bears are regularly observed.
- McCarthy area: Black bears and grizzly bears are present throughout the park; brown bears are common in river valleys.
- Raptors: Golden eagles and various raptors are frequently seen.
Flightseeing
Air tours over the park's icefields, glaciers, and peaks provide a perspective impossible to achieve on the ground. Multiple operators offer flightseeing from McCarthy and surrounding communities. This is particularly worthwhile given how much of the park is inaccessible by any other means.
Food & Drink
Food and drink options inside the park are extremely limited. McCarthy has a small number of cafes and restaurants that operate seasonally; hours and availability change year to year. Kennecott has limited dining tied to lodge operations.
Visitors are strongly advised to bring the majority of their own food, particularly for any stay longer than a night or two or for any backcountry travel. Glennallen has grocery stores and restaurants and is the last reliable resupply point before the McCarthy Road.
Alcohol is available in McCarthy; verify current licensing and availability locally. Tap water in McCarthy/Kennecott should be confirmed as safe to drink locally. Backcountry water sources must be treated (filter, chemical treatment, or UV) before consumption.
Practical Information
Emergency Services
The park has ranger staff at visitor centers who can assist in emergencies. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 — though cell service is absent in most of the park. A satellite communicator is the only reliable means of summoning help from the backcountry. Alaska State Troopers have jurisdiction in the broader region. Serious medical emergencies typically require helicopter evacuation to Anchorage; evacuation can be complicated by weather.
Money
McCarthy and Kennecott operate largely on cash, and some businesses may not accept credit cards. ATMs are not available in McCarthy — withdraw cash in Glennallen or earlier. Prices for lodging, tours, and services reflect the remote logistics of operating in this location.
Connectivity
Assume no cell service from Chitina onward. Some lodges in McCarthy/Kennecott offer limited Wi-Fi; do not rely on it for navigation or emergency communication.
Fuel
Fuel is available in McCarthy but is expensive and supply can be limited. Fill your tank in Glennallen or Chitina before driving the McCarthy Road.
NPS Resources
The official National Park Service website for Wrangell–St. Elias (nps.gov/wrst) is the authoritative source for current road conditions, ranger program schedules, backcountry safety information, and any fee or permit changes.
Safety
Wrangell–St. Elias demands a high level of self-sufficiency. Rangers emphasize that once you leave the road corridor, rescue can take many hours or longer depending on weather and aircraft availability.
Bears: Both black bears and grizzly (brown) bears inhabit the park in significant numbers. Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and store all food and scented items properly. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising bears.
River crossings: Glacial rivers are extremely cold, fast-moving, and unpredictable. Many backcountry injuries and fatalities in Alaska involve river crossings. If in doubt, do not cross.
Glacial travel: Crevasses on glaciers may be hidden by snow bridges. Rope up and carry standard glacier travel equipment (crampons, ice axe, crevasse rescue gear) if traveling on glaciated terrain.
Weather: Storms can move in rapidly and ground aircraft for multiple days. Build extra time into your itinerary and never plan on a fixed evacuation date when in the backcountry.
Trip plans: Leave a detailed trip plan with someone outside the park who will alert authorities if you do not return as scheduled. Register with park rangers.
