At a glance
Wrangell-St. Elias is a vast national park that rises from the ocean all the way up to 18,008 ft. 2 million acres, the park is the same size as Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined! Within this wild landscape, people continue to live off the land as they have done for centuries. This rugged, beautiful land is filled with opportunities for adventure.
Things to do: Arts and Culture · Auto and ATV · ATV Off-Roading · Auto Off-Roading · Scenic Driving · Biking · Mountain Biking · Boating · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Canoe or Kayak Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · Group Camping · RV Camping
ParkAtlas, maintained by Stellaroos, combines its park and trail dataset with public information from the National Park Service. NPS data snapshot retrieved . Fees, access, and conditions can change; verify current details with NPS before traveling.
Trails
Wrangell–St. Elias has roughly 0 named trails. Log the one you hiked in the app — or just the park if you're not sure.
Camping
There are no NPS campgrounds inside the park. Lodging and private campgrounds are typically available nearby.
Best time to visit
Peak season: June – August. Access is seasonal — confirm opening and closing dates on NPS.gov before you go.
Varies widely depending on location in park and time of year. htm for detailed information.
Pack for Wrangell–St. Elias
Four things worth having for alpine weather that changes by the hour. From the full gear list; links support ParkAtlas.
Black Diamond trekking poles
Knees on the descent will thank you. These collapse small enough for a carry-on.
See on Amazon →
Marmot PreCip rain shell
Afternoon thunderstorms are a feature of the mountain West, not a bug.
See on Amazon →
Smartwool Smartloft vest
Core warmth without the arm bulk. Lives in the car from October to May.
See on Amazon →
Black Diamond rechargeable headlamp
Sunrise hikes and late finishes. Never rely on your phone flashlight.
See on Amazon →
Entrance fees
Entry is Free.
Getting there
Nearest city: Anchorage, AK. Park center: 61.700°, -142.990°.
The administrative building and main park visitor center are located along the Richardson Highway (Hwy 4), which is a paved state highway that runs through Copper Center, AK. The buildings are 8 miles south of the Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway intersection near Glennallen, Alaska. This is approximately 200 miles east of Anchorage, AK and 250 miles south of Fairbanks, AK.
Coming from a big city? See every park near Anchorage or Seattle.
Common questions
How much does it cost to visit Wrangell–St. Elias National Park?
Entry is Free. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
When is the best time to visit Wrangell–St. Elias?
Peak season is June – August. Access is seasonal; check NPS.gov for opening dates. Varies widely depending on location in park and time of year. htm for detailed information.
Can you camp in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park?
There are no NPS campgrounds inside the park; lodging and private campgrounds are available nearby.
What is the closest city to Wrangell–St. Elias National Park?
Anchorage, AK is the nearest major city. The administrative building and main park visitor center are located along the Richardson Highway (Hwy 4), which is a paved state highway that runs through Copper Center, AK. The buildings are 8 miles south of the Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway intersection near Glennallen, Alaska. This is approximately 200 miles east of Anchorage, AK and 250 miles south of Fairbanks, AK.
Plan your trip
The practical bits, so more of the weekend goes to the trail.