Contact Info
PO Box 439
Copper Center, AK 99573
- Phone:
- 907-822-5234
Basics
- Type:
- Other
Description
The Chugach, Wrangell, and Saint Elias ranges converge here in what is often referred to as the "mountain kingdom of North America." The largest unit of the National Park System, this spectacular wilderness includes the continent's largest assemblage of glaciers, and greatest collection of peaks above 16,000 feet, including 18,008' Mount St. Elias, the second highest peak in the United States.
Hours + Fees
Hours:
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve has no entrance stations or gates, and never closes. People visit year-round by foot, car, airplane, ATV, snowmobile, ski, etc. The headquarters building is open weekdays year-round. Other visitor facilites include:
Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center & Park Headquarters
Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway, Copper Center
907-822-5234
Exhibits, Park Film, Nature Trail, Ranger Programs, Bookstore, Information
Summer: Daily 8am - 6pm
Winter: Mon-Fri 8am - 4:30pm
Kennecott Visitor Center
Historic Kennecott Mill Town
(907) 960-1027
Exhibits, Ranger Programs, Backcountry trip planning, Park & Area Information
Summer: Daily 9:30-5
Slana Ranger Station
Mile 0.5 Nabesna Road
907-822-5238
Exhibits, Information, Bookstore, Ranger Programs.
Summer: Daily 8am-5pm
Chitina Ranger Station
Chitina, AK
907-823-2205
Exhibits, Information, Kennecott/McCarthy Trip Planning, Road Updates.
Summer: Friday-Monday 2pm-6pm
McCarthy Road Information Station
Mile 59 McCarthy Road
(At the end of the McCarthy Road)
McCarthy-Kennecott area trip planning, maps, and information on local services. Free day-parking.
Summer: Daily 9:30 am-5:00 pm
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Park headquarters is located in Copper Center, 10 miles south of Glennallen, Alaska. The main park visitor center, theater, and exhibit buildings are found here. Head south from Glennallen to mile 106.8 of the Richardson Highway. Access into the Park/Preserve is usually by private vehicle along unpaved gravel roads, via watercraft, or by chartered air taxi service from Tok, Glennallen (Gulkana), McCarthy, Valdez, Cordova or Yakutat. With the exception of Yakutat and Cordova, these communities can be reached by private vehicle or bus lines from Anchorage.
Entering the park from Glennallen
From Glennallen, surface access into the Park/Preserve is via either the McCarthy Road (from Chitina to McCarthy - 60 miles) or the Nabesna Road (from Slana to Nabesna - 42 miles). Both are unpaved gravel roads usually suitable for passenger vehicles.
