Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Immense icefields flow from Mount St. Elias into the valley of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve.
🌲 Park Overview
Bigger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined, Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve spans 13.2 million wild acres in Alaska’s southeastern interior. Here, four mountain ranges collide, nine of North America’s 16 tallest peaks pierce the sky, and glaciers sprawl across valleys like frozen rivers to the Gulf of Alaska. Accessible only by two gravel roads and bush planes, the “Mountain Kingdom of North America” rewards intrepid travelers with ghost‑town mines, backcountry rivers, and mind‑blowing solitude.
🌟 Fun Facts
Mount St. Elias rises 18,008 ft directly from tidewater—one of the planet’s greatest reliefs.
The park protects the largest national park wilderness in the U.S. (9.6 million acres).
Malaspina Glacier is about the size of Rhode Island—biggest piedmont glacier on Earth.
Kennecott’s 14‑story historic copper mill once processed some of the world’s richest ore (1900s).
📅 Best Time to Visit
Season
Highlights
Challenges
Jun–Aug
Wildflowers, alpine hiking, flight‑seeing, rafting
Mosquitoes, variable weather, gravel‑road washboards
Sep
Gold tundra, berry‑fat bears, northern lights
Short days, early snow at high passes
Oct–Apr
Ski touring, aurora over glaciers, ice caves
Limited services, −40 °F extremes, road closures
🎯 Things to Do
Families: Kennecott mill tour, Root Glacier day hike, ranger programs in McCarthy.
Adventure‑Seekers: Ice‑climb Root Glacier, packraft Nizina River, summit Mount Bona (16,550 ft) with guide.
Photographers: Sunrise on Wrangell peaks from Million Dollar Bridge, sunset alpenglow on Kennicott Glacier, aurora over abandoned rail trestles.
Chill‑Travelers: Scenic drive Nabesna Road to Skookum Volcano Trailhead, picnic at Liberty Falls, fly‑in flightseeing over Bagley Icefield.
🥾 Top Hikes & Photo Spots (Road‑Access)
Trail
Distance / Gain
Highlights
Root Glacier Trail
4 mi RT
Walk onto blue crevasses & melt pools (crampons rental in McCarthy).
Bonanza Mine
9 mi RT / 3,900 ft
Steep climb to historic mine buildings & glacier views.
Skookum Volcano Trail
4.4 mi RT
Nabesna Road lava canyon, wildflowers, Dall sheep.
Copper Lake Trail
13 mi RT
Alpine tundra, lake reflections of Wrangell peaks.
👨👩👧 Kid‑Friendly Fun
Junior Ranger books at Kennecott VC.
Short Wagon Road walk between McCarthy & Kennecott (bike rentals available).
S’mores and tales at Glacier View Campground communal fire ring.
♿ Accessibility Notes
Kennecott Visitor Center ramp & ADA restroom; mill buildings historic (stairs/uneven).
Small‑plane flightseeing accommodates folding wheelchairs—arrange in advance.
Viewpoints along Richardson & Edgerton Highways have paved pull‑outs.
🗓️ Sample Itineraries
48‑Hour Kennecott Sampler
Day 1: Drive McCarthy Road, Kennecott mill tour, sunset Root Glacier walk.
Day 2: Morning flightseeing over Bagley Icefield, picnic at Jumbo Creek, evening soak Copper Center hot tub (lodge).
5‑Day Wilderness Burst
Day 1: Nabesna Road volcanic hike & backcountry camp.
Day 2–4: Fly‑in basecamp on Nizina Glacier, ice‑trek & packraft to Chitina River.
Day 5: Return to McCarthy, celebrate with glacier‑glow brew at local saloon.
🧳 Planning Tips
Access Roads: 60‑mi McCarthy Rd & 42‑mi Nabesna Rd unpaved—carry spare tire & patch kit.
Fuel & Groceries: Last gas in Chitina (McCarthy route) or Slana (Nabesna). Pack all food—limited cafés in summer.
Lodging: Kennecott Glacier Lodge, cabins & B&Bs in McCarthy; state & private campgrounds along roads.
Guides & Gear: Ice‑climbing, rafting, and mountaineering outfits operate May–Sep—book early.
🚧 Permits & Rules
No entry fees; backcountry registration required for overnight glacier trips.
Bear‑resistant canisters mandatory; free loaners at ranger stations.
Leave historic artifacts in place—cultural resource protection.
🌄 Compare With
Denali NP: More infrastructure but less glacier volume; Denali’s single road vs. Wrangell’s raw wilderness.
Glacier Bay NP: Tidewater glaciers by boat vs. vast land‑based icefields.
Jasper/Banff (Canada): Similar icefields yet with highways, resorts, crowds.
🔗 Internal Links
Blog: “Gravel to Glaciers—Minimalist 3‑Day McCarthy Road Adventure.”
Printable: “Wrangell Backcountry Packing Matrix & Bear‑Hang Guide.” (placeholder)
📥 Printables (coming soon)
McCarthy Road Milepost Guide • Root Glacier Crampon Tips • Flightseeing Seat‑Map Cheat‑Sheet
🔍 Top 10 SEO Keywords
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