Where is Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Copper Center, Alaska?

Written by | Last Updated: November 19, 2025, 12:28 PM ET

Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska, USA. It lies between Anchorage and the Canadian border and is situated in southeastern Alaska. It is famous for being the largest national park in the U.S., with huge mountains, glaciers, and wilderness areas./p>

Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve Location Map, Copper Center, Alaska

Where is Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve Located in Copper Center, Alaska
About Map: The map showing location of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve in the Copper Center, Alaska in the United States.

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Top Attractions Inside Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve

  • Mount St. Elias – Second-highest peak in the U.S., offering dramatic mountain vistas.
  • Root Glacier – Accessible glacier with guided ice trekking opportunities.
  • Kennecott Mines – Historic copper mining town and National Historic Landmark.
  • McCarthy Road – Scenic drive leading to historic sites and wilderness areas.
  • Wildlife Viewing – Habitat for bears, moose, caribou, and bald eagles.
  • Backcountry Hiking – Trails through glaciers, alpine meadows, and rugged terrain.
  • Visitor Centers – Exhibits and information about geology, history, and park activities.

Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve Facts

Official NameWrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve
LocationCopper Center, Alaska, USA – Southeastern Alaska, Copper River Valley / Alaska Range / St. Elias & Wrangell mountain regions
Latitude & Longitude≈62.0° N, 145.4° W (Visitor Center at Copper Center) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Total Area≈13,175,901 acres (≈53,602 km²) – combining park and preserve lands :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Established / OpenedDesignated as national park & preserve December 2, 1980 (originally national monument December 1, 1978) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Managed ByNational Park Service (NPS) :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
RegionSoutheastern Alaska – Wrangell Mountains, St. Elias Mountains, Chugach Range, coastal and interior Alaska wilderness :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
AddressPO Box 439, Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway, Copper Center, AK 99573, USA :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Zip Code99573
Area Code907
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Time ZoneAlaska Time (AKST) – UTC−9 Standard / UTC−8 Daylight Saving
Theme / ConceptGlaciers, high mountains, volcanoes, wilderness conservation, alpine & coastal ecosystems, mixed‑landscape wilderness recreation, cultural heritage of native peoples
Main Sections / FeaturesGlacier and ice fields (e.g. Bagley Icefield, Malaspina Glacier, Nabesna Glacier), High peaks (including Mount St. Elias and Mount Wrangell), Historic mining area & old‑mines town Kennecott / McCarthy, River valleys & braided rivers (Copper River, Chitina River), Forested lowlands & wetlands, Remote wilderness & backcountry, Visitor Center at Copper Center
Famous AttractionsMount St. Elias (18,008 ft – 2nd highest peak in U.S.), Massive glaciers and icefields (Megascale glaciation), Nabesna Glacier (one of North America’s longest valley glaciers), Historic Kennecott mining town, Rugged mountain and coastal wilderness, Wildlife (Dall sheep, bears, moose, caribou), Flightseeing & bush‑plane access, Backcountry hiking, fishing, mountaineering & river‑rafting
Annual Visitors~87,000 visitors per year :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Entry Fee TypeFree public access (Park and Preserve) — but fees may apply for guided services, backcountry permits, commercial flights/tours, or special activities :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Ticket Price RangeGenerally free; costs arise for guided tours, air taxi flights, and some services — no uniform ticketing structure for park entry :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Ticket OptionsSelf‑guided visits, Hiking/camping/backcountry trips, Flightseeing / bush‑plane access, River rafting, Mountaineering, Historic site tours (e.g. Kennecott), Guided ranger programs, Wildlife viewing, Fishing & subsistence use (in preserve areas)
Best Time to VisitLate Spring to Summer (June–August) for milder weather, better access; early Autumn for quieter conditions; weather & access vary — many remote areas require good planning
Nearby “Accessible” Hub / GatewayCopper Center, Alaska – park headquarters & visitor center; Road access from Anchorage via Glenn Highway → Glennallen → Richardson Highway to Copper Center (~210 miles from Anchorage) :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
TransportationPaved road access to entrance (Richardson & Glenn Highways), gravel roads inside park (e.g. McCarthy Road, Nabesna Road), Bush‑plane / air taxi access to remote areas, Boats/rafting on rivers, Hiking trails, Backcountry travel on foot or skis, some private‑land & native‑corp lands — check access and permits :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
Official Websitehttps://www.nps.gov/wrst/

Distances from Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve to Nearby Landmarks

  • McCarthy – 60 km (37.3 mi)
  • Kennecott Mines – 60 km (37.3 mi)
  • Chitina – 120 km (74.6 mi)
  • Yakutat – 400 km (248.5 mi)
  • Valdez – 450 km (279.6 mi)
  • Glacier Bay National Park – 300 km (186.4 mi)
  • Anchorage – 550 km (341.8 mi)
  • Tok – 700 km (434.9 mi)
  • Delta Junction – 750 km (466 mi)
  • Gakona – 400 km (248.5 mi)
  • Mentasta Pass – 500 km (310.7 mi)
  • Chisana – 600 km (372.8 mi)
  • Tanada Lake – 100 km (62.1 mi)
  • Old Copper Mine – 65 km (40.4 mi)
  • Wrangell Mountains – 80 km (49.7 mi)
  • Nabesna Road – 120 km (74.6 mi)
  • Slana – 350 km (217.5 mi)
  • Kenai Peninsula – 700 km (434.9 mi)
  • Lake Louise – 150 km (93.2 mi)
  • Matanuska Glacier – 250 km (155.3 mi)