Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Wrangell-St. Elias encompasses the convergence of the Wrangell, St. Elias, Chugach, and Alaska mountain ranges, a complex tectonic intersection where the Pacific Plate is actively colliding with and subducting beneath the North American Plate. This collision has uplifted some of the most dramatic topography in North America, with the St. Elias Range rising directly from the Gulf of Alaska to over 18,000 feet in less than 15 miles — one of the steepest reliefs on Earth. The park contains two major volcanoes in the Wrangell volcanic field: Mount Wrangell, at 14,163 feet, is one of the largest active shield volcanoes in the world and still emits steam from its summit crater; Mount Churchill, at 15,938 feet, was the source of the White River Ash eruption, one of the largest volcanic eruptions in North America in the last 2,000 years. The park's glaciers are its dominant feature: the Hubbard Glacier is the longest tidewater glacier in Alaska at 76 miles, and the Malaspina Glacier is larger than the state of Rhode Island. These glaciers have carved deep U-shaped valleys and continue to advance and retreat, with the Hubbard Glacier famously advancing and closing off Russell Fjord in 1986 and 2002, creating a temporary glacial lake. The Bagley Icefield, at 127 miles long, is the largest non-polar icefield in North America.

The Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark is the park's most developed attraction. This abandoned copper mining town, operational from 1911 to 1938, includes the massive 14-story concentration mill, a power plant, and other buildings that have been stabilized and partially restored. Guided and self-guided tours of the mill complex are available, and the town is reached via a 60-mile gravel road from Chitina. For hiking, the Root Glacier Trail is a 2.5-mile round trip from Kennecott onto the surface of Root Glacier, where guided ice hiking and ice climbing trips are available. The historic Bonanza Mine Trail is a strenuous 9-mile round trip with 4,000 feet of elevation gain to one of Kennecott's original mine workings at 6,000 feet, with panoramic views of the Wrangell Mountains. Mount Blackburn (16,390 feet) and Mount Sanford (16,237 feet) dominate the northern skyline. For backcountry travel, the McCarthy Road and Nabesna Road provide limited access, and multi-day hikes can access remote areas like Skolai Pass, the Chitistone Valley, and the Goat Trail. Flightseeing tours from McCarthy or Glennallen offer breathtaking aerial views of the glaciers and peaks. River rafting on the Copper River and the Chitina River is popular for multi-day wilderness trips.

Wrangell-St. Elias has two main road access points. The western entrance, via the McCarthy Road, is a 60-mile gravel road from the town of Chitina (itself 60 miles east of Glennallen on the Richardson Highway), ending at a footbridge across the Kennicott River near McCarthy. The road takes 2 to 3 hours and requires a high-clearance vehicle. The northern entrance, via the Nabesna Road, is a 42-mile gravel road from Slana on the Glenn Highway, providing access to the northern part of the park and backcountry trailheads. The main visitor center is at Copper Center, on the Richardson Highway, and is the best place to start. There is no entrance fee. Accommodation within the park includes the historic Kennecott Glacier Lodge in Kennecott, and lodging and camping in the small town of McCarthy. Backcountry camping is free and unrestricted in most areas. Cell service is essentially nonexistent beyond the main roads. The park's vast size means that fuel, food, and services are extremely limited; visitors should stock up in Glennallen, Copper Center, or Chitina. For backcountry trips, bush plane access from McCarthy or Gulkana is common, with flights landing on gravel bars and glaciers.

Summer (June through August) is the only practical season for most visitors. The McCarthy Road is typically not plowed and is impassable until May or June. June offers long daylight hours (up to 20 hours) and is a good time for flightseeing and glacier hiking, though snow may linger at higher elevations. July is the warmest month, with temperatures in the 60s to 70s°F in the valleys, and is the peak time for hiking and camping. August brings fall colors, with the tundra turning red and gold, and cooler, wetter weather; it is also prime berry-picking season for wild blueberries and salmonberries. By September, snow can fall at any time and road conditions deteriorate. The McCarthy Road and Nabesna Road can be traveled in winter by snowmachine, but this requires specialized equipment and experience. The Kennecott Mines and the visitor center at Copper Center are open seasonally from late May through September. Mosquitoes are intense from mid-June through July. Visitors should always be prepared for rapidly changing weather, as mountain conditions can include snow, rain, and wind even in mid-summer.