Overview
Welcome to Wrangell St. Elias, the park so huge it makes other national parks look like pocket gardens. At 13.2 million acres, this Alaskan titan is basically four Yellowstones duct-taped together, sprinkled with glaciers, and topped with volcanic spice. It’s a living epic ... a mashup of Athabascan heritage, mining ghost towns, and frozen cathedrals of ice. But beneath those big-budget landscapes lies the park’s true offbeat charm. Wander through Nabesna’s 1,000-year-old petroglyphs, stumble upon a ranger cabin where trappers left their rusty pickaxes, or hike into Root Glacier’s ice caves that sparkle like nature’s disco ball. This isn’t a place for casual strolling; it’s for the bold, the quirky, the “let’s see what’s behind that frozen wall of doom” crowd. Wrangell–St. Elias is where adventure isn’t just encouraged... it’s required.
Top Attractions (Mines, Glaciers & Petroglyphs)
Kennecott Copper Mine
A historic 1911 marvel of rusted machinery and ghostly whispers.
Root Glacier Trail
A 4-mile icy wonderland of brilliant blue caves and stunning vistas.
Nabesna Petroglyphs
Ancient Athabascan carvings of caribou and spirits.
McCarthy Ranger Cabin
A 1920s relic stash with trapper tools and Athabascan crafts.
Chisana Overlook
A remote stage where volcanic rock and fossilized ash beds tell ancient tales.
Kennecott Mines Trail Art
Native-inspired rock markers turning hikes into scavenger hunts.
Unique Stories & Facts (Hunts, Hikes & Volcano Spit)
- Petroglyph Tales: Nabesna’s 1,000-year-old rock art recounts ancient Athabascan hunts.
- Trail Art Surge: The 2020s brought funky Athabascan markers along Kennecott’s paths.
- Ranger Cabin Cache: The rusty pickaxe of a miner found in a cabin turned into a local legend.
- Ancient Volcano Spit: Ten-million-year-old ash layers are proof Wrangell was spitting lava before it was cool.
Best Travel Seasons
Spring (May–June)
Witness the snowmelt and explore fresh trails with cool hiking weather.
Summer (July–Aug)
The busiest season with mild weather ... be sure to book that air taxi early!
Fall (Sept)
Enjoy chilly temps, the start of aurora season, and incredible ice treks.
Winter (Oct–Apr)
-20°F adventures for those who think frostbite is a lifestyle choice.
Lodging Options (Lodges, Cabins & Campgrounds)
Luxury: Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge
Luxury comfort located 30 miles from the park's core.
Mid-Range: Kennicott Glacier Lodge
Stay in the heart of the historic mining district, just 5 miles from McCarthy.
Budget: Nabesna Road Camping
Primitive (and free) camping sites along the rugged Nabesna Road.
Backcountry: Wilderness Camping
Permits required, but the ultimate bragging rights are included.
Dining (Caribou, Reindeer & Moose)
Kennicott Glacier Lodge Dining
Enjoy grilled salmon with spectacular glacier views.
Copper River Roadhouse
Caribou tacos hearty enough to arm-wrestle in Copper Center.
McCarthy Lodge Bistro
Reindeer chili that sticks to your ribs and your soul.
Chitina General Store
Moose sandwiches for the truly brave adventurer.
Become a Pathfinder
See something we missed? Spot a detail that doesn’t add up? That’s where you come in. Pathfinders don’t just read the journey ... they help write it. Correct the facts, fill in the gaps, and blaze new trails for fellow travelers.
Does it cost anything? Ha! Nope. In fact, we pay you. Even better, you can write off your travel on your taxes (check your local laws). We’ll even help you fill out the forms.
Talk about a no-brainer. You’re a money-making, tax-break-taking, pathfinding machine.
Travel Tips
- Pack warm layers, even in summer. This is Alaska, after all.
- Access is rugged; book that air taxi or prepare for long drives on unpaved roads.
- Bears, glaciers, and ghost miners all come with the territory. Be prepared and aware.
Destination Joke
Because even the glaciers keep carving their secrets into the ice!
Listen to Our Podcast Episode!
“Ice Caves & Ghost Mines: Dane D. Blaze in America's Largest Park.”
Your Wrangell-St. Elias Offbeat Guide!
Ready for a park where adventure isn't just encouraged, it's required? This guide is your ticket to a land of Athabascan spirits, haunted mines, and disco-ball ice caves.
Ebook Coming Soon!What's Your Wrangell-St. Elias Vibe?
Answer to find your perfect offbeat adventure!
Hunt for modern, funky Athabascan markers along Kennecott’s paths or seek out 1,000-year-old rock art that recounts ancient hunts at Nabesna.
Explore the Kennecott Copper Mine where phantom workers still punch in, or hike into the Root Glacier's ice caves that sparkle like nature’s disco ball.
Grab some hearty caribou tacos at the Copper River Roadhouse or try a moose sandwich from the Chitina General Store if you're truly brave.