National Park Guide

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Alaska, US

America's largest national park where four massive mountain ranges converge in an epic wilderness of glaciers and ghost towns.

13,175,799

Acres

Trails

1980

Established

75,000

Annual Visitors

Quick Info

Season

May - September

Entrance Fee

Free

Nearest Airport

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), 5 hours (to Copper Center)

Best Months

June, July, August

Highlights

Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark
Root Glacier ice hiking
McCarthy Road scenic drive
Mount St. Elias and Mount Wrangell views
Nabesna Road backcountry access

Park Map

Explore trailheads, hotels, and points of interest

Top Trails

Featured trailheads in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Root Glacier Trail

Moderate

4.0 miles round trip

250 ft gain

Bonanza Mine Trail

Strenuous

8.5 miles round trip

3,800 ft gain

Erie Mine Trail

Moderate

6.0 miles round trip

1,000 ft gain

Nugget Creek Trail

Strenuous

14.0 miles round trip

2,000 ft gain

Jumbo Mine Trail

Moderate

3.0 miles round trip

500 ft gain

About Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States at over 13 million acres, larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined. The park contains 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the US, the largest glacier system outside of polar regions, and the historic copper mining towns of McCarthy and Kennecott.

In-Depth Guide

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Guide: Best Hikes, When to Visit & Where to Stay

Plan your trip to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Top hikes, best months to visit, where to stay, and essential tips for America's largest national park.

12 min read

Weather Overview

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Hotels

3 options near Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Weather

Monthly climate data

Best Time to Visit

Month-by-month analysis

Hiking Gear

Expert-tested picks

Where to Stay

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Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge

$$$

Nestled in the mountains near Copper Center with views of the Wrangell Range, this wilderness lodge offers two American-cuisine restaurants, a fireplace lobby, and guided excursion bookings.

15 min drive to park boundary$220-380/night

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Old Town Copper Center Inn & Restaurant

Family-owned historic inn in Copper Center since 1948, located 0.5 miles from Wrangell-St. Elias NP. Features an on-site restaurant, comfortable rooms with private baths, and genuine Alaskan hospitality.

10 min drive to park boundary$120-200/night

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Hotel Captain Cook

$$$

Luxury downtown Anchorage hotel with four restaurants and full-service amenities. A convenient overnight stop before the scenic drive to Wrangell-St. Elias via the Glenn and Richardson Highways.

Gateway city (Anchorage, 5-hour drive)$250-400/night

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