Alaska's Copper River Valley

Mt. Wrangell, one of the only remaining active volcanoes inthe Wrangell mountain range, is a popular attraction to travelers on the Richardson highway due to the plumes of steam than can sometimes be seen rising from it's top.

You can use this site to find out more about Copper River Valley:

Lodging

Tours

Daily scheduled flights

Shuttles

The Copper River area consists of about 3.5 million acres surrounding the braided Copper River, north of Prince William Sound.

Surrounded by mountains in each direction, it is the gateway to America's largest national park, the Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park. Several major volcanic peaks can be seen as you journey through the region.

Located 200 miles northeast of Anchorage, and 250 miles south of Fairbanks, the Copper River Valley could be called "Northeastern Southcentral".

13 major tributaries off the Copper River make this a world-class destination for salmon fishing. Many of the townsites in the Copper River Basin are situated near the sites of traditional Native fishing villages, at the mouths of tributaries entering the Copper River.

King Salmon season in the Copper River area is from mid-June to mid-July and Copper River Red Salmon can be caught in most tributaries from June through August.

Two of Alaska's major highways come through the Copper River Valley -- the Richardson Highway from Fairbanks to Valdez (#4), and the Glenn Highway from Anchorage to Tok (#1).

The Glenn Highway crosses over the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in Glennallen near Pump 11. Driving between Glennallen and Valdez, there are a number of places where the Trans-Alaska Pipeline can be viewed parallel to the Richardson Highway.

The Wrangell-St Elias National Park Visitor Center just north of Copper Center has books, displays, a film about the National Park, a public rest area, and a walking trail.

If you like walking trails, be sure to find the new Aspen Interpretive Trail near downtown Glennallen. This well-groomed one mile loop is easy to walk and features interpretive signs created by local school children.

You can bicycle, walk or jog on the paved trails in Kenny Lake and Copper Center. Many secluded hiking trails lead to river systems - perfect for canoeing or rafting - up into hills - for wide views of Wrangell mountain peaks and glaciers - and through the forest to innumerable lakes, jumping with fish.

Check out the McCarthy Road and the Nabesna Road, which are the two gravel road entrances into the enormous Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Shuttles and some guided tours are available.

If you are heading into McCarthy and Kennicott, the Copper River Valley is the best place to spend the night beforehand. Chitina Guest Cabin

You can even base your visit in the Copper River area and take day trips into the National Park, by air and land.

The Copper River area has great camp sites for anglers, foragers and other campers. Please respect private property and camp only in designated areas.

All lodging in the Copper River area is limited, so be sure to make your reservations ahead of time!

Get your questions answered and reservations secured, quickly and easily, when you plan your trip with a local travel specialist! Wrangell-St. Elias Lodging & Tours offers tours, transportation and lodging packages in the Copper River Valley and Wrangell-St Elias National Park.