National park · Alaska

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve

The largest national park in the United States — at 13.2 million acres, bigger than Switzerland — anchoring the world's largest internationally protected wilderness with Canada's Kluane and centered on the Wrangell volcanoes and the converging Bagley, Hubbard, and Malaspina glaciers.

Entrance
No fee listed by NPS
Hours
Closed daily Headquarters Visitor Center - Copper Center, AK
Established
1994
Region
Alaska
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve patch

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History

Kluane / Wrangell–St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek is significant as it is the largest transboundary protected area in the world and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique glacier landscapes and biodiversity. It serves as a crucial habitat for various species, including grizzly bears and Dall sheep.

Key events

  1. December 1, 1978Wrangell-St. Elias National Monument proclaimed by President Jimmy Carter.
  2. December 2, 1980Established as a national park and preserve by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
  3. 1980At 13.2 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest U.S. national park (larger than the country of Switzerland).

Trails

  • Root Glacier Trail 4 mi · Easy
  • Bonanza Mine Trail 9 mi · Hard
  • Jumbo Mine Trail 10 mi · Hard
  • Nugget Creek Trail 5 mi · Moderate
  • Donoho Basin 12 mi · Hard

Plan your visit

Hours · Headquarters Visitor Center - Copper Center, AK

Closed, every day

The park and public lands are always open but visitor facilities have limited seasons: Open in Summer. Call ahead for hours: Copper Center (907) 822-7250, Slana (907) 822-7401, Chitina (907) 823-2205 and Kennecott (907) 205-7106. CLOSED Fall-Winter-Spring - Mid-September through April.

Entrance fees

NPS lists no entrance fee for this park.

Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Summer. Roads open, best weather, all activities available
  • Early Fall. Fall colors, Northern Lights possible, fewer visitors
  • Late Spring. Warming temps, services opening, long days

Wildlife

Grizzly bearsBlack bearsMooseCaribouDall sheepMountain goatsWolvesBald eagles
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