Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve spans 13.2 million acres - larger than Switzerland - encompassing America's tallest coastal mountains. Nine of the 16 highest U.S. peaks rise here, including 18,008-foot Mount St. Elias. Over 150 glaciers flow from vast icefields, including Malaspina Glacier, larger than Rhode Island. This wilderness remains largely unexplored, with more wildlife than visitors. Dall sheep traverse alpine ridges while caribou migrate across tundra valleys. The park's immensity supports complete ecosystems from coastal rainforest through boreal forest to arctic alpine environments. Historic Kennecott copper mines stand frozen in time, their red buildings contrasting with glacier-carved valleys. Few roads penetrate this vastness - McCarthy Road provides the main access along an old railroad bed. Most visitors barely scratch the surface, yet the park offers unlimited wilderness adventures. Float planes access remote valleys where no human may have walked for decades. This ultimate Alaskan wilderness showcases nature on a scale that challenges comprehension, where maps show more blank spaces than features.

Water Features

150+ glaciers, wild rivers

Ecosystem

This destination features a polar & tundra ecosystem.