The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve contains more than 100 major glaciers as well as eight mountains summits over 14,500 feet tall. At 13.2 million acres, it is the largest national park in the United States. The name is derived from two of the four mountain ranges that converge here.

Two Alaska highways, the Richardson (#4) and the Glenn (#1), travel along the boundaries of Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park.

Only two gravel roads lead directly into the park - the Nabesna road, a 45-mile gravel road that begins at Slana, and the Edgerton Highway & McCarthy Road, which is accessed from the Richardson Highway, 81 miles north of Valdez.

The Nabesna Road, northern road-entrance to Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park, is paved for the first 4 miles from Slana. Beyond mile four, the road is gravel and dirt surface. High-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.

The Edgerton Highway and McCarthy Road is the road more commonly used to access the park. The road is paved for the first 32 miles to Chitina. From there, the highway continues as a 60-mile gravel road following the old Copper River and Northwestern Railroad route. This gravel road leads to the historic mining towns of Kennicott and McCarthy, near the center of the park.

Travelers on this road will enjoy scenic views of the Copper River, Chitina River, and the Kuskalana River Gorge. You may also spot wildlife such as eagles, beavers, bears and moose. Hikers can stop and enjoy several hiking trails along this route.

At the end of the road, visitors will enjoy exploring the historic townsites McCarthy, Blackburn and Kennicott. Tour opportunities from McCarthy and Kennicott include historical sightseeing, glacier-hiking, and some of the most astounding wilderness flightseeing in Alaska. A variety of exciting flights, from 35 to 90 minutes, provide stunning aerial views of Wrangell-St. Elias glaciers, mountains, and wildlife.

The McCarthy area of Wrangel-St Elias National Park is a world-class backcountry destination. There is easy glacier access via the Root Glacier Trail from Kennicott, and local flying services provide access to the park's remote areas and wilderness cabins. Both day trips and extended visits are possible.

Unless you're flying into the area, you'll need to travel the 60 mile McCarthy Road, built on the old Northwest-Copper River Railroad bed right of way. A driving speed of no more than 30mph is recommended on this road. The McCarthy Road has been designated a scenic corridor and has seen a tremendous amount of improvement since major upgrading began in 2006.

Driving Distances Between Towns

Anchorage to McCarthy - 322 miles

Fairbanks to McCarthy - 388 miles

McCarthy to Kennicott - 4.5 miles

McCarthy to Glennallen - 130 miles

McCarthy to Chitina - 60 miles

McCarthy to Valdez - 178 miles

Many more car rental companies are now allowing some of their four-wheel drive vehicles on the McCarthy Road. Travelers will still need to come very well prepared - there are no vehicle repair services on many of Alaska's rural roads. Some Anchorage car rental companies to contact would be:

The McCarthy Road ends at a footbridge over the Kennicott River. Designated parking at the footbridge is $5.00

There is direct shuttle service to McCarthy and Kennicott from Anchorage via the McCarthy Road on Tuesdays and Saturdays (May 17 - September 16, 2008).

There is daily van shuttle service to McCarthy from Glennallen, Copper Center, and Chitina in the summer months.

Daily flights are available between McCarthy and Chitina, the end of the paved road. In addition, daily flights to McCarthy are available from the Gulkana Airport, near Glennallen. To schedule your flightseeing trip to McCarthy, or for more information, please give us a call or email.

Historic-period hotel accommodations are available in McCarthy and Kennicott. Vacation package rates include your room and 3 meals daily. There is also camping, rustic cabins, and bed and breakfast accommodations.

With just a limited selection of cabins, bed & breakfasts and hotel accommodations, you will want to make your lodging reservations ahead of time. Please call or email if you have questions or need assistance planning for your visit.

If you are doing a self-drive tour of Alaska and you only have one or two days to visit Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, you may want to spend the night in the Copper River Valley. Many travelers first encounter this area by driving through on their way to somewhere else. It may be considered a "come-back again" destination, as travelers are quickly surprised by the region's scenic splendor.

The Copper River is the eastern boundary to Wrangell-St Elias, and is surrounded by mountains in each direction. Several of the major volcanic peaks in the Wrangell range are visible from here on a clear day. Most of the townsites are situated near the sites of traditional Native fishing villages, at the mouths of tributaries entering the Copper River.

This area has a lot to offer the Alaska traveler. It is convenient for day trips to Wrangell-St. Elias including Slana, Nabesna, McCarthy, Kennicott, and Chitina. Valdez, Paxson, and the Matanuska Valley can all be reached within a day's drive.

13 major tributaries off the Copper River offer some of the best salmon fishing in Alaska. There are hiking trails, historic sightseeing and tours, and a variety day trips to McCarthy/Kennicott are available from the Copper River Valley. A flightseeing tour of the Wrangell mountain range is as spectacular as Denali but without the high cost and crowds.

Guest cabins, bed & breakfasts, hotels, and motel accommodations are all located within tiny wilderness communities. You'll enjoy meeting the locals and learning about their unique way of life!