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
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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 Name | Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve |
| Location | Copper 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 / Opened | Designated as national park & preserve December 2, 1980 (originally national monument December 1, 1978) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Managed By | National Park Service (NPS) :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Region | Southeastern Alaska – Wrangell Mountains, St. Elias Mountains, Chugach Range, coastal and interior Alaska wilderness :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} |
| Address | PO Box 439, Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway, Copper Center, AK 99573, USA :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} |
| Zip Code | 99573 |
| Area Code | 907 |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD, $) |
| Time Zone | Alaska Time (AKST) – UTC−9 Standard / UTC−8 Daylight Saving |
| Theme / Concept | Glaciers, high mountains, volcanoes, wilderness conservation, alpine & coastal ecosystems, mixed‑landscape wilderness recreation, cultural heritage of native peoples |
| Main Sections / Features | Glacier 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 Attractions | Mount 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 Type | Free 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 Range | Generally 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 Options | Self‑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 Visit | Late 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 / Gateway | Copper 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} |
| Transportation | Paved 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 Website | https://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)
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