Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, at a staggering 13.2 million acres, stands as the largest national park in the United States.
The park’s vast expanse encompasses diverse geographical features, including four major mountain ranges, nine of the 16 highest peaks in the U.S., and the nation’s largest glacial system.
Visitors seeking adventure will find plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like backpacking, fishing, camping, rafting, hiking, and climbing.
Getting to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park requires navigating along the two available dirt roads, McCarthy Road and Nabesna Road.
McCarthy Road, spanning 60 miles, is the more frequently traveled route and begins where the Edgerton Highway transitions from pavement to a rugged dirt road that follows a historic railroad track.
While the ride may be slow due to potholes and blind corners, breathtaking views of distant mountains, the raging Copper River, and the Kuskulana River Bridge—spanning a dramatic gorge—make it worthwhile.
The end of McCarthy Road leads to the Kennicott River, where visitors can cross via a footbridge to continue onto either McCarthy or Kennicott.
For those preferring air travel, Copper Valley Air Service operates flights four times a week during the summer months between Anchorage, Glennallen, McCarthy, and May Creek.
Additionally, Wrangell Mountain Air offers three daily flights from Chitina into the park during the peak tourist season from mid-May to mid-September.
One of the park’s main attractions is the Kennecott Mines, which rapidly transitioned from a bustling mining camp to a ghost town within 35 years.
Once a center for copper production, the mines and associated buildings were later purchased by the National Park Service in 1998, who began a restorative journey on the mill and power plant.
Visitors to the Kennecott mill are treated to a tour that showcases a 14-story structure that processed ore through an elaborate multistage method.
The views from the mill are equally spectacular, offering panoramas of the Kennicott Glacier and the impressive Wrangell Mountains.
Guests can explore a wealth of history concerning the mines and the lives of those that worked there at the Kennecott Visitor Center.
Another location worth visiting is the McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum, which pays tribute to the area’s rich history from its late 1800s inception to the present day.
Housed in a former railway depot, the museum presents old photographs, artifacts, a model of historic McCarthy, and a diorama of the Bonanza Mine.
For those wishing to explore the natural beauty further, the Root Glacier Trail presents an ideal opportunity.
Located beyond the mining camp’s characteristic wagon-red buildings, the trail leads to one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers on an easy 4-mile round trip.
From this vantage point, hikers can spot blue pools and streams dotted along the glacier’s surface while enjoying stunning views of neighboring peaks.
Visitors planning to walk on the ice should ensure they wear appropriate footwear and take the necessary safety measures for a safe adventure.
With its vast landscapes, rich history, and unique wildlife, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park remains a premier destination for those enthusiastic about discovering wilderness in its purest form.
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