Wrangell - St Elias National Park and Preserve - Plan Your Visit

Operating Hours Seasons

Park Headquarters and Visitor Center: Winter: 8:00 through 4:30, Monday-Friday. Summer: 8:00 through 7:00, daily.

Local Partners Information Resources

Wrangell - St. Elias

Copper River Valley Chamber of Commerce

Getting There

Plane

The nearest major airport is located in Anchorage. It is approximately a 4-hour drive to park headquarters in Copper Center/Glennallen.

Local air taxis and flightseeing tours leave from the airstrips in Glennallen, McCarthy, and Chitina.

Car

Although you can view the park's mountains from along the Richardson Highway, Glenn Highway, and Edgerton Highway, there are only two gravel roads that actually enter the park.

The Nabesna Road (42 miles long) begins at Slana and offers spectacular scenery and access to a seldom seen, wild corner of Alaska.

The McCarthy Road (60 miles long) begins at Chitina, follows an old railbed, and ends at the historic communities of McCarthy and Kennecott. This road provides access to great hiking, fishing, and camping.

Check on current road conditions at a ranger station, be prepared for slow travel, and have a good spare tire before setting out. Be aware that some car rental companies prohibit clients from accessing these roads.

Getting Around

Backcountry Connections, offers van service to McCarthy/Kennecott. This service runs daily during summer months. For more information call (907) 822-5292.