Covering more than 13 million acres in southeastern Alaska, Wrangell–St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the United States. Its immense wilderness is a landscape of towering mountains, sprawling glaciers, rushing rivers, and untouched valleys that seem to stretch endlessly into the horizon. Nine of the sixteen highest peaks in the country rise within the park, including Mount St. Elias, while massive glaciers carve their way through rugged terrain. The sheer scale of the landscape makes every visitor feel small, offering a rare opportunity to experience true wilderness on a grand scale.
Wrangell–St. Elias National Park was established in 1980 through the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, protecting one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in North America. The park preserves not only extraordinary natural features but also the history of exploration, mining, and Indigenous cultures that have long called this region home. Historic sites such as the Kennecott Copper Mine tell the story of Alaska's mining boom, where a once-thriving community emerged in one of the most remote places on the continent before nature gradually reclaimed it.
The park offers endless opportunities for adventure and discovery. Visitors can hike across alpine meadows, raft glacial rivers, and walk on ancient ice fields that have shaped the landscape for thousands of years. Dall sheep climb rocky cliffs, mountain goats navigate steep ridges, and grizzly bears roam the valleys below. Bald eagles soar overhead while salmon return each year to the park's rivers, continuing life cycles that have existed for generations. Whether exploring the Root Glacier, driving the McCarthy Road, or simply standing beneath snow-covered peaks, every experience reflects the wild character of Alaska.
Conservation at Wrangell–St. Elias National Park focuses on protecting its glaciers, mountain ecosystems, wildlife, and cultural history while allowing natural processes to continue largely undisturbed. The National Park Service works alongside scientists, local communities, and Alaska Native organizations to monitor glacial change, study wildlife migration, and preserve historic landmarks. Visitors are encouraged to prepare carefully for the park's remote conditions, respect wildlife, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park stands as one of the last great wilderness landscapes on Earth, reminding us of the beauty and importance of protecting places where nature still determines the rhythm of life.
Our Experience
After renting a car, we drove about 4 hours north from Anchorage to the small town of McCarthy right outside of the park. This was a unique park due to the fact that you had to leave your car one one side of a bridge and take a shuttle into the park and the other side of McCarthy. It was so small and secluded with a couple businesses and a restaurant. We made our way to see the Hubbard Glacier and realized you needed spike shoes a little too late. However, we didn't let that stop us we just took it very slow and slipped around a bit. We even got to collect and drink some of the glacier water. The next day we took a fligth seeing tour over the park which was so amazing and a first for us. We even had dinner with our pilot and had some fun with drinks. Lastly, we drove to the northern part of the park in our rental car which barely survived after three river crossings. We also did a short hike into the meadows, looking for the goats.