Wrangell-St. Elias: all you need to know to explore America’s largest National Park

Visiting Wrangell-St. Elias National Park – nothing less than the largest national park in the United States – was one of the highlights of our trip to Alaska.

The weather was on our side (two gorgeous days of sunshine and warmth), which always helps. But what truly captured my heart was the remoteness of the place, the rugged beauty, the almost surreal history, the resilience of the people, the sheer power of nature, and the overwhelming feeling of being in one of the last truly wild places — not just in the country, but perhaps on the planet

We hiked through stunning trails, traversed glaciers, explored an authentic Wild West-era mine, stayed in a ghost town, took a breathtaking bush plane flight (followed by another, completely unique one), and even tried — without much success — to catch the sunset at nearly midnight. In short, it was three unforgettable days.

Come along as I take you through Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest in the U.S. — a place where nature calls the shots and tourists are still a rare sight.

.

---

---

.

Discover Wrangell St-Elias National Park

A paradise for adventure seekers, breathtaking landscapes, and incredible wildlife — this is Alaska, a state home to eight national parks, second only to California, which has nine.

Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States, spanning over 54,000 km² — an area larger than Switzerland, just to put it into perspective. This vast expanse is a stunning mix of boreal forests, glaciers, rivers, mountain ranges, and volcanoes

Within its boundaries lie some of North America's highest peaks, including Mount St. Elias (5,489 m), the second tallest in the U.S., along with nine of the country’s sixteen highest mountains. Mount Wrangell, which lends its name to the park, is an active volcano. The park is also home to more than 3,100 glaciers, with the Kennicott and Root glaciers — two of the largest — located in the region we explored.

And yet, Wrangell-St. Elias remains one of the least-visited national parks in the country . One thing you won’t find here? Mass tourism.

At the heart of the park, two small villages offer a glimpse into life in this remote wilderness. McCarthy has a few accommodations, restaurants, and a small market. Just five miles away, Kennecott — where we stayed — preserves the ruins of an old copper mine, now a historic site (Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark). It’s one of the most surreal places I’ve ever visited in the U.S

I’ve been to places many would call remote — small towns in the Amazon, Bolivia and northern Argentina— but Kennecott was, without a doubt, the most isolated place I’ve ever been.

Below, you’ll find a PDF with the park’s official brochure and map, sourced from the National Park Service website. No reservations or timed entry permits are required to visit, but I highly recommend checking the NPS website website for the latest updates before your trip.

.

How to get to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

In Alaska, everything is on a grand scale — the size, the beauty, the distances, the adventures, and, of course, the costs of making it all happen. To give you an idea, five of the state's eight national parks have no road access at all.

Yet, despite its remote location, reaching Wrangell-St. Elias isn’t as complicated as it might seem..

.

.

By Car via McCarthy Road

The most budget-friendly way to reach Wrangell-St. Elias is by driving the McCarthy Road, a 60-mile unpaved route connecting the small town of Chitina to McCarthy. Chitina is easily accessible from the Richardson Highway, which links Valdez on the coast to Fairbanks.

Although McCarthy Road has a few scenic spots along the way, it’s not considered a picturesque drive where the journey itself is the main attraction—or so we were told. The road follows the old railway that once connected Kennecott to Valdez, and its main highlight is the Kuskulana Bridge, built in 1910.

Once you arrive in McCarthy, you’ll need to cross a river via a pedestrian bridge and then take local transportation on the other side—either to McCarthy village or Kennicott. Two shuttle services operate this route, and you can simply wait at the designated stop; one will show up within minutes. If you’re staying at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge, the hotel’s van will be there to pick you up.

.

.

By airplane

When planning our trip, we initially considered driving the motorhome all the way to McCarthy. But after weighing the pros and cons (mainly the cost), we opted for the available option — flying. And let me tell you, it was the best decision we could have made. It turned out to be one of the most incredible experiences we had in Alaska.

We flew from Chitina to McCarthy with Wrangell Mountain Air. There are also flights connecting the park to other parts of Alaska, including Glennallen and Anchorage, but we chose the Chitina route because it was the most affordable.

It was a picture-perfect day — the most beautiful we had seen in Alaska so far. Sunshine, clear blue skies, and incredible visibility. The flight lasted about 20 minutes, and the whole time, the only thing running through my mind was: WOW. I was completely speechless, unable to believe I was actually living that moment rather than just dreaming it.

.

.

Our small single-engine plane had space for five passengers plus the pilot, but it was just the four of us and our pilot, Laura. We flew between snow-capped peaks and glaciers, over vast valleys, winding rivers, deep canyons, and yet more glaciers, with Mt. St. Elias standing majestically ahead of us. Laura told us about the park’s geological formations and history, and as a final treat, she took a slight detour for a breathtaking aerial view of the Root Glacier, flying impressively close to Bonanza Mine.

On the day of our return, bad weather and heavy clouds caused our flight to be delayed and eventually canceled. Wrangell Mountain Air arranged for a van to take us to the airport, but — as I mentioned on Instagram (it’s in the highlights) — the inexperienced driver took the wrong route. We ended up heading back to McCarthy, and just as luck would have it, the skies cleared, and we were able to fly after all! Our return flight followed a different path, right over McCarthy Road. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous, but the flight was smooth, the views were spectacular, and everything went perfectly. We landed safely in Chitina, picked up the RV, and continued our journey to Glennallen, where we spent the night — our full Alaska itinerary is here.

If the flight fits within your budget, go for it. I was initially hesitant about the cost, but looking back, I have no doubt it was the right choice. One of the best memories of the trip.

This is not a sponsored post. We paid for the entire trip ourselves.

.

.

Where to stay in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

.

We spent two nights at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge and I can’t say this enough: it was the best experience we had in Alaska.

The hotel’s location is simply breathtaking. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, right next to the historic copper mine, and with stunning views of the Root Glacier, words fail to capture the sheer grandeur of this place.

The lodge offers the usual comforts of an American hotel — nothing luxurious or extravagant (though, honestly, the fact that it even exists in such a remote location is the luxury ). It’s cozy, well-maintained, and the service is impeccable. We stayed in a room with two double beds and a private bathroom, but some rooms have shared bathrooms. If you’re planning to stay here, I highly recommend booking as far in advance as possible. Manager Jasper and his team went above and beyond to make sure our time there was unforgettable.

.

.

For those looking for other options, McCarthy has a few accommodations, including Blackburn Cabins and Ma Johnson's Historical Hotel. Another option is Wrangell Mountain Lodge, located along McCarthy Road, about 34 miles from town.

.

.

.

Where to Eat in McCarthy and Kennicott

I won’t lie: there aren’t many dining options around here. But don’t worry, you won’t go hungry, I promise.

Our stay at Kennicott Glacier Lodge included breakfast, and we had dinner there both nights. The restaurant is excellent, but here’s an important tip: make dinner reservations in advance for the nights you’re staying, as it’s the only dining option in Kennicott. Otherwise, you’ll have to eat in McCarthy, and if that’s your plan, check with the hotel about restaurant hours and available transportation between the two towns.

Aside from the lodge’s restaurant, Meatza Wagon is the only other place to eat in Kennicott — a small food truck parked near the glacier. The menu is simple but satisfying, and everything we tried was delicious. On our second night, we stumbled upon something I could have never imagined in my wildest dreams: a rock concert . A local band, The Wrangells, played an impromptu sunset show right there, in front of a massive glacier, in a ghost town, in one of the most remote places in the U.S., where I was with the people I love most. Absolutely surreal.

McCarthy has a few more dining options. The Potato is a great spot, we stopped there for snacks for the girls and a beer for the adults, and it seemed to be the best place in town. There’s also Salmon & Bear and New Golden Saloon, which are right next to each other. The Saloon often has live music at night, but we were too exhausted to check it out.

.

.

What to do in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

.

The first thing I recommend is stopping by the Visitor Center, located about 10 miles south of Glennallen on the Richardson Highway.

Like most visitor centers in U.S. national parks, this one offers exhibits on the park’s history, geography, wildlife, and Indigenous cultures. There are also films, ranger-led talks, and plenty of high-quality information to help you get the most out of your visit. Don’t miss the short trails behind the center, they offer incredible views of the Wrangell Mountains.

We stopped at the Visitor Center on our way to Chitina, but still adjusting to Alaska’s endless summer days, we arrived just before closing at 5 PM. Even so, we made the most of our visit. The rangers were incredibly friendly and got really excited when we showed them bear, moose, and wolf tracks we had spotted on a trail a few days earlier (check out the photos in our instagram highlights and our full Alaska itinerary here).

.

.

Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark

Kennecott’s history dates back to 1900, when rich copper deposits were discovered in the region. At a time when copper was essential for the industrialization of the United States, this discovery attracted major investors, including J.P. Morgan and the Guggenheim family. Within just a few years, the Kennecott Copper Corporation had transformed this remote and inhospitable land into one of the most profitable mining operations in U.S. history.

The mine’s construction and operation were incredible feats of engineering for the time. The extracted ore was transported by a 320-kilometer (200-mile) railway to Cordova, on the coast, where it was shipped to the rest of the country. Despite the challenging conditions, the railroad was completed in just four years!

Opened in 1911, the mine operated year-round, 24 hours a day, a remarkable feat considering that for nine months of the year, the area was buried under meters of snow, with temperatures dropping to -60°C (-76°F) during the coldest months.

.

.

At its peak, about 300 people worked in the town and processing plant, while 200 to 300 miners worked in the mountains, coming from across the U.S. and more than 20 different countries. Kennecott was a fully functioning town, complete with worker housing, a hospital, grocery store, school, skating rink, movie theater, sports courts, and a recreation hall. Life in the actual mines, perched on the steep mountain slopes, was far less comfortable.

With the depletion of copper deposits and a sharp drop in ore prices, operations came to an abrupt halt in 1938. The workers left, and Kennecott became a true ghost town.

The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park was established in 1980, and while some of the buildings have been restored, many remain in a state of decay or have collapsed entirely. The Blackburn School building has been repurposed as the Kennecott Visitor Center, which I highly recommend checking out.

Another must-do is the tour inside the metal processing plant, the iconic fourteen-story red building that dominates the landscapeWe took the tour with St-Elias Alpine Guides, , the only company authorized to guide visitors inside. In addition to exploring the interior of the building, we learned about the mine’s fascinating history, the town’s past, and the technology used at the time. Needless to say, it was one of the most captivating tours I did in Alaska — I highly recommend it!

If you don’t have the chance to take the mine tour, make sure to visit the McCarthy Kennicott Historical Museum in McCarthy (near The Potato restaurant). We stopped by the museum before heading to the mine, and it was a great way to slowly absorb the rich history of the area.

.

.

Root Glacier

.

The Root Glacier hike is an absolute must-do!

Starting from the Kennecott Visitor Center, the 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) trail to the glacier’s base is fairly easy and mostly flat . At the end of the trail, you'll reach a breathtaking panoramic viewpoint with stunning views of the Root Glacier. You can hike to this point without a guide, but if you want to walk on the glacier itself, you’ll need proper gear (crampons are essential). I highly recommend going with a guide, especially if you don’t have much experience hiking on glaciers.

We booked a full-day glacier tour with St. Elias Alpine Guides , and it was perfect! The weather was incredible — sunny, clear skies, and comfortably cool — probably the most beautiful day of our entire fifteen-day trip through Alaska! If you’re short on time, there are also half-day tours, which you can combine with a visit to the historic Kennecott Mine.

We spent hours exploring the glacier, passing by its incredible natural formations, such as: Crevasses – deep cracks formed by the glacier’s movement. Ice tunnels – created by meltwater carving through the ice. Moulins – vertical shafts where meltwater flows deep into the glacier, forming underground tunnels. Moraines – rocky debris carried and deposited by the glacier. Ice canyons, waterfalls, and glacial lakes – all sculpted by melting ice. At one of the glacial lakes, we even considered doing a polar plunge—but with the water at XNUMX°C (XNUMX°F), we quickly dropped that idea! (Though, funnily enough, when we arrived, a group of Australians had just gotten out of the water!)

We had already visited Matanuska Glacier, a smaller but equally stunning glacier, just a two-hour drive from Anchorage. It’s much easier to access than Root Glacier, so if you don't have the chance to visit Wrangell St-Elias, don't miss Matanuska.

.

.

Trails: Jumbo Mine, Bonanza Mine and Wagon Road

There are several hiking trails in the McCarthy and Kennecott area. I highly recommend stopping by the Visitor Center to pick up a trail map and chat with the rangers before heading out.

The most scenic and historically significant hikes are those leading up into the mountains to the old copper mines, where ore was once extracted. Both trails start in Kennecott.

Jumbo Mine – a challenging hike, about five miles (eight km) each way, with an elevation gain of 1,036 m (3,399 ft). The effort is well rewarded with breathtaking views of glaciers and surrounding mountain ranges, plus the chance to explore the abandoned Jumbo Mine.

Bonanza Mine – another equally demanding trail, slightly shorter at 4.5 miles (7.2 km) each way, but steeper, with an elevation gain of 1,158 m (3,799 ft). Along the way, you'll enjoy stunning views of the Chugach Mountains, Mt. Blackburn, and the Kennicott Glacier, before reaching the historic Bonanza Mine.

Eire Mine – If you continue past the Root Glacier access, the trail extends another 2.5 miles (four km) to the base of the old cable system that once transported ore from Eire Mine. The mine itself sits about 1,000 m (3,280 ft) up the mountain, but there is no trail leading to it.

Wagon Road Trail - for a more relaxed hike, this 4.5-mile (7.2 km) trail runs parallel to the road connecting McCarthy and Kennecott. Near McCarthy, a short detour leads to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Kennecott Glacier, with panoramic views of Mt. Blackburn (the 5th highest peak in the U.S.) and other surrounding mountains.

For more details, check out the NPS website.

.

.

Map and complete itinerary of our Alaska trip

Our two-week, 1,650-mile (2,655 km) Alaska RV road trip is detailed on the map below. Just click and save it to your Google account — so when you're planning your own Alaskan adventure, you'll already have a head start! 😉

And also check out our tips for RV traveling across the USA!

In this post, I explain how I use Google MyMaps to plan my trips. It’s a fantastic tool for saving places, calculating routes and distances, and organizing your trip overall. I highly recommend it!

.

.

How to use this map: Click the menu tab in the upper left corner of the map to access different layers, including points of interest and routes. You can toggle layers on and off by checking the corresponding boxes. To see details about specific locations, click on the icons on the map.

To save this map to your Google Maps account, just click the star icon next to the map title. To access it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, tap the menu button, go to “My Places”, select “Maps” and you will find this map listed among your saved maps.

.

.

.

Did you like it? Then don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @danae_explore 🌍✨ You'll find plenty of travel inspiration and unique destination ideas to make your next adventure even more special. 🚀💙

.

Let’s Stay Connected!

Have questions or thoughts to share? Drop a comment below or reach out on social—I love chatting about all things travel! 😉

And before you go, don’t forget to SAVE THIS PIN to your PINTEREST account, for you to find this post with everything you need to know to visit Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, in Alaska, whenever you need it!

.