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National Park & Preserve

Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve

Glaciers loom over the ocean with large snowy mountains rising into blue skies

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park contains a diversity of natural features. Landscapes unique to the North American continent are common here.

Photo: NPS Photo/ Neal Herbert

About

Wrangell-St. Elias is a vast national park that rises from the ocean all the way up to 18,008 ft. At 13.2 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.

Activities

Arts and CultureAuto and ATVATV Off-RoadingAuto Off-RoadingScenic DrivingBikingMountain BikingBoatingCampingBackcountry CampingCanoe or Kayak CampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup Camping
RV Camping
Canyoneering
Climbing
Mountain Climbing
Fishing
Freshwater Fishing
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fishing
Flying
Fixed Wing Flying
Guided Tours
Self-Guided Tours - Walking
Self-Guided Tours - Auto
Hiking
Backcountry Hiking
Front-Country Hiking
Hunting and Gathering
Gathering and Foraging
Hunting
Paddling
Junior Ranger Program
Snowmobiling
Snowshoeing
Wildlife Watching
Birdwatching
Park Film
Museum Exhibits
Shopping
Bookstore and Park Store

Directions

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.

Get directions →

Weather

Varies widely depending on location in park and time of year. Visit https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/weather.htm for detailed information.

News

Sep 25, 2026

Wrangell-St. Elias Subsistence Resource Commission to Meet Oct. 9-10 in McCarthy

The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Subsistence Resource Commission will meet Oct. 9-10 at the Great St. Elias Station in McCarthy, with options to participate virtually or by phone. The McCarthy meeting location is a change from the location published in the Federal Register due to venue availability.

Two-Day Moose Hunt Extension Applies Only to FM1106
Sep 18, 2026

Two-Day Moose Hunt Extension Applies Only to FM1106

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is reminding federal subsistence hunters that the additional two-day moose hunting season in Unit 11 applies only to the FM1106 hunt area. The FM1106 season will reopen at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, and close at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026.

Sep 14, 2026

Federal Subsistence Moose Hunt Opened for Two Additional Days in FM1106 Hunt Area

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Acting Superintendent Joshua Scott, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is opening a two-day moose hunting season in the Unit 11 federal registration permit hunt area (FM1106). The season will open at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 21 and close at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, unless modified by a subsequent federal special action.