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At 13.2 million acres, Wrangell St. Areas is the largest national park in the United States, covering approximately the same area as the next two largest national parks (Denali National Park and Arctic Gate, also in Alaska) combined. It’s hard not to speak of this region in superlative terms. This is because the area includes many things. He is the second highest mountain on the continent and he is the third highest. 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the United States. Incredibly diverse wildlife. And the largest glacier system in the country.
For true adventure seekers and lovers of the great outdoors, this park is an El Dorado of sorts, a place brimming with opportunities to play, from backpacking, fishing, and camping to rafting, hiking, and mountain climbing. You can see Mother Nature in all its glory.
how to get there
The only two dirt roads leading into the park are McCarthy Road and Navesna Road. Of the two roads, McCarthy Road, which is 60 miles long, has much more traffic. It’s easy to see when Edgerton Highway meets McCarthy Road in Chitina, as the road changes from paved to dirt over what was once railroad tracks. It’s slow going, full of blind corners and potholes, but the scenery makes up for it, with spectacular views of distant mountains, the Copper River flowing below, and the impressive Kuskrana River Bridge over a dizzying gorge. The road ends at the Kennicott River. From there, you can cross the river on a footbridge and shuttle or walk 0.5 miles to McCarthy or 7.5 miles to Kennicott.
Alternatively, Copper Valley Airlines offers biweekly flights from Anchorage to Glennallen, Glennallen and May Creek to McCarthy. Wrangell Mountain Air operates three daily flights from Chitina to the park.
what to see and do
Kennecott Mine: Within 35 years, the Kennecott Mine went from an established mining camp that mined copper around the clock to a ghost town. For decades, the factory sat empty and abandoned. Then, in 1998, the National Park Service purchased the mill, power plant, and many other camp buildings from private owners and began restoration. Take a tour of the massive 14-story factory that was used to process ore in a multi-step process. It’s worth taking a tour for the glacier and mountain views from the top and the chance to check out the nearly 100-year-old giant machine. The Kennecott Visitor Center also has lots of information about the history of the mine and the people who once worked there.
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McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum: Both towns could claim to be museums in their own right, but the actual museum is located in a former railroad depot and nicely documents the history of the town from its founding in the late 1800s. On display. until today. See old photos, artifacts, historic McCarthy miniature models, and a diorama of the Bonanza Mine.
Route Glacier Trail: Just past all the wagon-colored red buildings of the mining camps on the edge of town is the beginning of the Route Glacier Trail. It’s a 6-mile round trip excursion to one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. Even from a distance, you can look out for the blue pools and streams that dot the glacier peaks and admire the nearby mountains. Wear appropriate footwear and take appropriate safety precautions when walking on ice.
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Guided wilderness adventures: Companies like Kennicott Wilderness Guides, McCarthy River Tours & Outfitters, and St. Elias Alpine Guides offer hiking, ice climbing, packrafting, and hiking through spruce forests, alpine tundra, glacier fields, and park canyons. We offer multi-day trips.
