Wrangell is an Alaska national park full of superlatives and a world unto itself. It is a park of otherworldly and seemingly impossible landscapes.
The difference at Wrangell vs some of Alaska’s national parks is that you can take a car and drive to some of them.
Wrangell St. Elias National Park is the largest in the US at over 13 million acres. The park features 9 of the 16 tallest mountain peaks in the country.
- Location: Alaska
- Established: December 2, 1980
- Size: 13.2 million acres (#1) – Largest
- Visitation: 50,189 (2024)
- Accessibility – 6/10
- Recreation – 8/10
- Crowds – 9/10
- Amenities – 5/10
- Scenery – 9.5/10
Entrance Fees of Wrangell St. Elias National Park
There are no entrance fees to access Wrangell St. Elias National Park which makes it another one of Alaska’s National Parks visitors can access free of charge (if you don’t count all the money it costs to get there!).
Can You Drive to Wrangell St. Elias National Park?
If you were asking the old Alaska question of “can I drive to Wrangell St. Elias National Park?” the answer is yes!
The drive to Wrangell St. Elias National Park (Kennecot) from Anchorage (the closest city with a major airport) is nearly 7 hours long, so buckle in and pack lots of snacks & drinks!
Bus & Shuttle to Wrangell St. Elias National Park
If you don’t want to do the driving to the park yourself there are bus options from Anchorage to Wrangell St. Elias National Park.
The going rate from Anchorage to Glenallen (3 hours) is $60 – $70 per person each way on Interior Alaska Bus Line or Soaring Eagle Transit. From Glenallen to McCarthy takes about 3 hours and will run you another $90 each way via Kennecot Shuttle.
How Many National Parks Are In Alaska?
There are currently 8 national parks in Alaska which combine for 54 million acres of the most beautiful places on earth.
Alaska does have other national park service units.
These parks are largely wilderness and some are so remote they might as well be entirely wilderness (rather than a national park)… I’m looking at you Kobuk Valley and you, Gates of the Arctic.
There are also two stunningly beautiful national forests – the Chugach National Forest & the Tongass National Forest.
Flying to Wrangell St. Elias – Wrangell Flights
The most expensive and most scenic transit option to Wrangell is going by air.
Chartered flights from Anchorage (or anywhere) to McCarthy can be quite pricey running around $2300 for 3-5 people or $1700 for 2-3 people via Wrangell Mountain Air.
Driving in Wrangell St. Elias National Park
There are two driveable roads in Wrangell St. Elias National Park making it perhaps the most vehicle friendly of all Alaska’s national parks.
However, we recommend a vehicle capable of handling gravel & dirt roads for the trek with at least all-wheel drive (4 wheel-drive is best).
These roads are located 3 hours apart from each other so choosing which one to visit is important.
Driving the Nabesna Road
For whatever reason, Nabesna Road does not show up in many guides despite being one of two main access points into the park.
The terminus of Nabesna Road is located next to the Slana Ranger Station, 1.5 hours north of the official Wrangell St. Elias National Park Visitors Center in Copper Center.
Driving past mile 29 can be especially tricky for non-4WD vehicles due to the stream crossing.
The road requires 1.5 hours to drive minimum each way so keep that in mind when planning a trip. Be sure to bring a spare tire and be prepared to use it.
There are no fuel options on this road so be sure to gas up ahead of time.
Highlights | Best Things To Do in Wrangell St. Elias Park
- Explore the Historic Kennecot Mine – Many (if not most) of the photos you’ll see of Wrangell St. Elias National Park feature the beautiful and historic Kennecot Mine. Take the shuttle to the mine and soak it in!
- Hike the Root Glacier Trail – Just past the Kennecot Mine is the incredible (and massive) Root Glacier. The trail up to and out on the Glacier is incredibly scenic and not to be missed!
- Drive the McCarthy Road or Nabesna Road – If you’ve got the right (4WD) vehicle we highly recommend a drive down one or both of the park’s roads. Wildlife, camping, scenery, and hiking abound with few other folks.
- Take a Scenic Flight – The absolute best way to make the most of your time and see the park’s grandeur is by air. If you’ve got the budget, flight-seeing in Wrangell is nothing short of epic.
Where to Stay At Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Wrangell St. Elias has a host of camping options mostly concentrated in two areas – McCarthy Road & Nabesna Road.
Along each of these roads are numerous roadside camping areas, some of which have picnic tables and pit or vault toilets. Make sure to practice Leave No Trace and be bear aware in these areas.
Denali National Park | A place to hike, camp, and explore the great outdoors
Wrangell St. Elias Hotels & Lodges
We recommend the scenic Kennecot Glacier Lodge located within the park overlooking the Root Glacier. Rates start at $210/night. There are a few other options located in & around McCarthy including:
- Ma Johnson’s Historic Hotel
- Currant Ridge
- Blackburn Cabins
- Kennecot River Lodge
What Makes This One of the Best National Parks
As one of the more accessible Alaska parks, Wrangell makes it into our top 20 US national parks for that reason alone. Wrangell is an Alaska national park full of superlatives and a world unto itself.
It is a park of otherworldly and seemingly impossible landscapes. The difference at Wrangell vs some of Alaska’s national parks is that you can take a car and drive to some of them.
Wrangell St. Elias National Park is the largest in the US at over 13 million acres. The park features 9 of the 16 tallest mountain peaks in the country.
If Wrangell were a state, it would be larger than Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island.