Wondering how to fit all the amazing things to do in Wrangell St Elias National Park into your upcoming trip? This wild rugged and utterly spectacular park is still a true remote wilderness and loved by those hardy travelers who choose to visit.
The convergence of the Wrangell, St. Elias, and Chugach mountain ranges result in utterly stunning views of grandeur and beauty.
From the adventure of tackling scenic McCarthy road and learning about the richest copper vein ever found, to touring Kennecott Mill and hiking on Root glacier.
Katmai national park maybe synonymous with bear viewing and Denali national park with the highest mountain peak in North America.
However, Alaska Wrangell St. Elias national park offers you a spectacular opportunity to step back in time into Alaska’s mining history. To find endless opportunities for hiking, glacier trekking, rafting, camping, wildlife viewing, and grasping the scale and grandeur of Wrangell-St. Elias from the skies.
WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS FACTS
The Wrangell St. Elias National Park Map below, highlights both McCarthy Road and Nabesna Road and shows the location of the park.
To Use This Map: Click the tab in the left hand corner to view the place names. Use your mouse to zoom in and out. Click the star next to the title of the map to add to your Google Maps account. To view on your phone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu button and go to “Your Places” then “Maps” where you will find the map on your list.
So just how big is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park? Check out these amazing statistics below:
- At 13 million acres, this is the largest park in the United States and incredibly six times the size of Yellowstone National Park!
- The park is home to 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the United States, the highest being Mt. Elias at 18,008 feet
- Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve abuts Canada’s Kluane National Park and together they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- 33% of the park is covered with glacial ice: At approx. 53 miles is the Nabesna Glacier, the world’s longest interior valley glacier. The Malaspina Glacier, is the largest non-polar piedmont glacier in North America, while The Hubbard Glacier is one of the largest active tidewater glaciers in North America.
- Mt. Wrangell, at 14,163 feet, is one of the largest active volcanoes in North America.
With the remote location and sheer size of the park, it can be difficult to plan your trip here. This post is written just for you! Covering everything you need to know about accessing this wondrous park, take the stress out of planning while assuring a memorable experience.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK
1. VISIT COPPER CENTER
Copper Center is located on a loop road off the Richardson Highway and at the gateway of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It makes a great place to start if you need help planning your trip.
Pop into the George I. Ashby Memorial Museum which houses interesting trapping and mining memorabilia.
The visitor center at mile 106.8 is open May through September and is ideal for picking up information about one of the wilder Alaska national parks. There are a couple of short easy trails, Copper River Trail and Boreal Forest Trail providing views of the Wrangell Mountains.
2. DRIVE THE MCCARTHY ROAD
Originally constructed in 1909 to support Kennecott Copper Mines, today’s 60-mile unpaved road was built on top of the old railway line.
The narrow winding road starts at Chitina (Pronounced “Chit-Na”) and ends at the Kennicott River which is 0.5 mile before McCarthy town and 5 miles short of the historic town of Kennecott.
With access to spectacular scenery, historic wonders and natural wilderness, driving the McCarthy road transports you deep into the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.
MCCARTHY ROAD FACTS:
- Begins at mile 33 Edgerton Highway, in Chitina, AK.
- Get pre-approval from your car rental company to drive this route.
- Allow 2 hours EACH WAY and drive slowly, carefully and courteously.
- The road is unpaved and rough in parts with potholes and occasional railroad spikes.
- There are little to no services and limited cell phone coverage. Fill up with fuel prior to your trip in Glennallen, Copper Center, Kenny Lake or in Chitina.
- Carry a full-sized spare and an adequate jack.
TOP TIP: If you don’t want to drive yourself, book a place on the Kennecott Shuttle which has several pick-up locations.
MCCARTHY POINTS OF VIEW:
At the start of the McCarthy Road, the road passes through a deep narrow gap known locally as the “railroad cut.” It was originally a tunnel and was later altered into the open roadcut you see now. The exposed rocks of schist and phyllite are typical of the Chugach Range.
CHITINA RIVER: Mile 0.4-1.0
There are several small pullouts where you can get a view of the Copper River and Chitina River confluence. The Copper River is the only waterway that cuts through the Chugach Mountains.
KUSKULANA RIVER CANYON AND BRIDGE: Mile 17
This one-lane bridge spans a 238 foot gorge above the raging Kuskulana River. It was the only railroad bridge in this area constructed of steel girders that span the canyon rather than timber pilings driven into the streambed.
The muddy water of the Kuskulana River comes from glaciers on the southern and western slopes of Mt. Blackburn.
If you want to take a photo, park at either end of the bridge and get out of your vehicle to enjoy the views.
GILAHINA RIVER & GILAHINA TRESTLE: Mile 29
The impressive wooden structure ruin looms over the Gilahina River. Completed in just 8 days back in 1911, the 0.5 million board feet of timber was originally 890 feet long and 90 feet high. Pull into the gravel pull-out to take photos and use vault toilets if required.
CRYSTALLINE HILLS: Mile 34.7
Keep a look out for Dall sheep on the hills which are composed mostly of gabbro and gneiss.
LAKINA RIVER: Mile 44.5
At mile 44.5 you will cross a bridge over Lakina River which gets some of its water from melting glaciers.
LONG LAKE: Mile 45.2 to 47.5
Every year about 18,000 sockeye salmon travel up the Copper and Chitina Rivers to spawn here from late September through April. For anglers amongst you, there is a large pullout on the east side of this 3-mile long lake.
KENNICOTT RIVER & THE END OF THE ROAD
The road ends at Kennicott River and all visitors must leave their vehicles here and either walk, bike, or take a shuttle into McCarthy and Kennecott. There is a large parking lot and fees can be paid inside the visitor information hut.
Day-use parking is also available as well as 24-hour parking. There are vault toilets, updated bulletin boards and trail details.
HOW TO GET TO MCCARTHY AND KENNECOTT
As the McCarthy Road ends at the river you cannot drive your vehicle any further. If you are staying overnight you can transfer luggage in the carts available either side of the bridge.
After crossing the bridge you can pick up daytime shuttles to both McCarthy and Kennecott for a minimal fee (~$5). Pre-arranged after-hours shuttles for guests with reservations are also serviced from here.
Kennicott Glacier Lodge offers residents a free shuttle.
It is a one-mile walk to McCarthy and five-miles to Kennecott.
3. EXPLORE THE TOWN OF MCCARTHY
The one-block, dirt-paved Main Street in McCarthy is rustic, wild, off-beat and centered on community. Walking around will only take about 30 minutes and there is also an interesting museum to check out local history.
Back in 1906 McCarthy served as the supply and recreation stop for the entire Kennecott mining district. As Kennecott was “dry” and miners not allowed to bring their families with them, McCarthy provided all the entertainment they wanted.
Restaurants, hotels, hardware store, saloons and red light district were all on tap until mine operations ceased in 1938.
While I would strongly recommend spending the majority of your stay in Kennecott, a visit to this slightly surreal town is worthwhile. If you need places to eat try The Potato and Golden Saloon.
HOW TO TRAVEL BETWEEN MCCARTHY AND KENNECOTT
- Walking the 4 miles to the town of Kennecott will take about 60-90 minutes
- A regular shuttle runs every 30 minutes taking 15 minutes and costing $5pp
4. EXPLORE KENNECOTT & KENNECOTT MINES NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
One of the best and unique things to do in Kennecott Alaska is explore this wilderness town, once home to a bustling mining operation.
The isolated copper mining town alongside McCarthy, dates back to the early 1900’s. Two prospectors stumbled upon a rich copper vein and the rest as they say is history.
During its heyday, the mine buzzed with activity for 37 years, employing 600 miners before the Depression hit and the price of copper crashed.
Kennecott went from producing in excess of 4 million tons of ore from local mines, to a day in November 1938, when the mine was abandoned. Everything was literally left as it stood. Mine buildings can be seen with existing windows, boards and nails untouched since the 1930’s.
There are two ways to explore this wilderness ghost town, on your own or if you want access inside the 14-story concentration mill, on a tour.
As a result of preservation efforts, new buildings have been built to fit in with and resemble older buildings. Take a self-guided walking tour, visit the interpretive exhibits at the various structures and watch films about early 20th Century copper mining.
Take a 2-hour tour to really delve into the history and appearance of this once-thriving town and now a ghost town frozen in time. There are steep stairs to climb and 14 storeys to explore as you see buildings, mining equipment, and personal artifacts left when the mine was abandoned.
5. HIKE THE ROOT GLACIER TRAIL
One of the best hikes in Wrangell St. Elias is the Root Glacier Trail, a moderate 4-mile return trip. Yes, one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska is within walking distance from Kennecott Mill.
With stunning views along the hike, it’s a great way to see a glacier plus you can also go ice climbing! Try Kennicott Wilderness Guides or St. Elias Alpine Guides.
Read More: HOW TO EASILY HIKE ROOT GLACIER TRAIL
6. TAKE A FLIGHTSEEING TOUR
In terms of thrills, the best way to visit Wrangell St. Elias National Park is to take to the skies and see Wrangell-St. Elias mountains on a flightseeing tour.
With untapped adventure potential, flightseeing companies can take you to see the incredible series of mountains and glaciers in Wrangell national park.
If you want to book your ticket to see flowing rivers of ice, soaring mountain peaks and appreciate just how large the park is, there are two main companies to choose from:
WRANGELL MOUNTAIN AIR
Based at McCarthy serving as an air taxi service, as well as having scheduled flights between Chitina and McCarthy.
Wrangell-St. Elias flight tours run from mid May to mid September and include:
- Mile High Cliff Tour: 50 minute – $250/person
- Thirteen Glacier Tour – 70 minute – $300/person
- Bagley – University Range Tour – 90 minute – $325/person
- Jewels of the Wrangells Tour – 120 minute – $395/person
COPPER VALLEY AIR SERVICE
Based out of the Gulkana Airport in Glennallen which makes them an ideal choice if you don’t want to drive or take the shuttle. Tour options include:
- Three Peak Tour – 60 minutes – $250 per person
- Ice Fields Tour – 80 minutes – $300 per person
- Tazlina Glacier/Chugach Range Route – 80 minutes – $350 per person
- Heart Of The Park – 75 minutes – $375 per person
** We didn’t have time to take a flight, however people we spoke to said you cannot grasp the scale and grandeur of Wrangell-St. Elias until they fly above it in a small aircraft. Maybe next time! **
BEST TIME TO VISIT WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS
The best time to visit Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve is during the summer from the end of May through to mid September. With so many things to do in Wrangell you want to make use of the long days and warm temperatures.
Weather in Wrangell Alaska can be unpredictable so expect possible rain even in the summer.
- For hiking and outdoor activities – visit in July and August
- Less rain and outside peak season – visit in June
- Booking lodging and tours – visit late May/early June though to mid September
As you can see here, Wrangell Alaska weather is quite fickle. The summers are cool and the winters are wet, cold and long.
GETTING TO WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS
When it comes to how to visit Wrangell St. Elias you have three options. You can drive, fly or take a shuttle.
1. DRIVING
If you are driving your own vehicle or a rental vehicle, two primitive roads enter the park, the McCarthy Road and Nabesna Road.
- Nabesna Road – A remote 42 mile unpaved road that begins at Slana, at mile 60 of the Glenn Hwy. located on the north side of the park the road was built to transport supplies in to Nabesna gold mine, and ore out to the Port of Valdez.
Whilst the Wrangell, Mentasta and Nutzotin Mountains create a stunning panorama, there is far less infrastructure than on the McCarthy Road. If you do decide to drive this route, stop at Slana ranger station to check road/weather conditions. Plus make sure your rental vehicle is insured to travel this road.
Follow the Nabesna Road Guide from the National Park service, which also offers an audio tour.
- McCarthy Road – The road begins in Chitina and some driving times to here are as follows:
Anchorage – 246miles/5 hours, Glennallen – 67miles/75 mins, Fairbanks -315miles/5.5hours
I’ve outlined the route along the McCarthy Road already in the post. (see above)
2. FLYING
Air taxis provide access to more than 200 bush airstrips throughout the park and preserve.
- Wrangell Mountain Air – Offer an air taxi service, plus scheduled flights between Chitina and McCarthy.
- Copper Valley Air Service – provides scheduled flights between Anchorage and McCarthy and Glennallen and McCarthy. Alternatively, drive approximately 6 hours from Anchorage to Chitina, and then fly into McCarthy with Wrangell Mountain Air.
3. SHUTTLE
Vans connect Anchorage, Glennallen, Chitina and McCarthy. We used Kennicott Shuttles which we found very professional.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING WRANGELL ST. ELIAS
For overnight stays, the best places to base yourself is the towns of McCarthy or Kennecott, each offering several lodging choices.
If McCarthy is your base for exploring the park, you can stay right in town at historic Ma Johnson’s Hotel for a true Alaskan experience. Fancy a few more home comforts? Currant Ridge custom-built log guest houses will allow you to experience the beauty of a remote Alaskan community.
Located between McCarthy and Kennecott are Blackburn Cabins if you don’t mind shared bathroom and outhouse.
Or, you can opt to stay in the ghost town of Kennecott, overlooking Root Glacier is Kennicott Glacier Lodge
For camping in Wrangell St. Elias, Jumbo Campground whilst having no facilities comes with an epic view!
PLACES TO EAT IN MCCARTHY AND KENNECOTT
Try the following places in McCarthy:
- Golden Saloon is a locals gathering place and Thursday is open Mic.
- The Salmon & Bear Restaurant at Ma Johnsons offers dinner to visitors.
- The Potato serves great food and delicious cookies!
Try the following places in Kennecott:
- Meatza Wagon food truck serves innovative bowls including Souvlaki Steak Bowl and all with a fantastic view.
- Kennicott Glacier Lodge serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO WRANGELL ST ELIAS NATIONAL PARK ALASKA
Once you decide what to do in Wrangell St. Elias National Park you are ready to plan your trip.
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK?
While this depends on your itinerary, try to spend three to four days in the park for the best experience. Due to its sheer size, mountainous terrain, and limited access it is one of the least-visited Alaska National Parks.
Remember to factor in time for getting to and from Chitina when planning your time. Base yourself in Chitina the evening prior to your time in the park.
One Day in Alaska Wrangell St. Elias National Park – Take a flight to and from McCarthy or drive yourself/take the shuttle. Enjoy a hike to Root Glacier or take a tour of Kennecott Mill. Return to Chitina late afternoon.
Extra Days in Alaska Wrangell St. Elias National Park – You could hike both Root Glacier Trail and Bonanza Mine Trail, take a couple of Wrangell-St. Elias tours such as an icefield or glacier flight.
We stayed near Chitina the night before in our RV, then got the 8am shuttle to McCarthy and Kennecott.
We hiked the Root Glacier trail and managed to be back for the afternoon mill tour. Our shuttle van driver was very accommodating and also dropped us off for a stroll around McCarthy before taking us back for our shuttle to Chitina.
We stayed near Chitina that evening as we were a bit tired but could have driven to Glennallen in the timescale. We really enjoyed our time here and fitted in as much as we could in the time we had to spare.
WHAT IS CELLULAR SERVICE LIKE?
Depending who your cellular service provider is you will either get good service or limited service in both McCarthy and Kennecott.
The National Park Service site has great up-to-date information on everything within the park, such as trail conditions and road closures.
As a national park Wrangell offers visitors a unique and wilderness experience and definitely deserves a place on your Alaska itinerary. If you have any questions about visiting the park, please leave a comment below.
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