Mountains, glaciers, abandoned cities: what surprises you about the largest national park in the USA

Camping on a glacier is not just a hike, because Wrangell-St. Elias is not an ordinary national park, but the largest in the United States. It combines vast glaciers, mountains, forests and rivers. It is about six times larger than Yellowstone, the publication writes. Travel & Leisure.

Photo: Natalia Bratslavsky | Dreamstime.com

The park is located more than 300 kilometers northeast of Anchorage, near the border with the Yukon Territory. Like many of the world's most spectacular natural sites, the park's trails and routes are accessible via a small bush plane or a rough road.

You have several options for visiting Wrangell St Elias. In the northern Nabesna District is the Nabesna Road Less Traveled, a 68-mile (XNUMX-km) rough road that leads to trails, campsites, and a remote wilderness hut.

The southern and most visited section has two main areas. Kennecott offers a mix of abandoned town homes, historic sites, and trails. McCarthy looks like an old Wild West village. Stop here for cozy hotels, quaint restaurants, and a general store.

"Look north and you'll see two huge glaciers on the horizon with the world's largest icefall. It's a place where the raw power and beauty of nature will leave you speechless. The word 'stunning' doesn't even begin to describe it," said national park guide Tessa Hill.

Getting there

The Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center is located about 450 kilometers northeast of Anchorage. The highway between the towns and parks is a regular road with gas stations, restaurants, and other amenities.

After the visitor center on Highway 4, adventures in Wrangell-St. Elias get wilder. If you're heading to the Kennecott area, you can drive the 4-mile gravel McCarthy Road from Chitina. But be prepared for low visibility, poor road conditions, and plenty of potholes. Alternatively, fly to McCarthy from Chitina on a Wrangell Mountain Air bush plane.

To reach the lesser-known Nabesna District, drive the 68-mile (XNUMX-km) unpaved Nabesna Road from the town of Slana on the northern edge of the park. Alternatively, explore the wilderness by flying into May Creek or Chisana airfields.

If you want to visit the extremely remote Yakutat District, located along the bay in the southeast corner of the park, take a boat or fly in from Seattle or Juneau on Alaska Airlines.

What you need to know before your trip

Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Reserve covers nearly 30 million hectares. That means you won’t be able to see everything in one visit. If you’re heading into the wilderness, it’s wise to hire a guide to help with navigation, local history, and wildlife safety.

Speaking of animals, Wrangell St. Elias is in the heart of bear territory. Be careful, and be sure to read all guidelines and rules for how to behave around the animal, including using bear-resistant food containers, keeping your distance, and reporting any encounters with bears. If you visit the park in the summer, be prepared for mosquitoes — there will be plenty of them. Bring bug spray, consider a head net, and wear light colors like khaki and white. Mosquitoes are most active from late June through July.

Before visiting the park, download the free NPS app and save the Wrangell-St. Elias section for offline use. This will give you maps, points of interest, and logistical information for areas without cell service.

Best time to visit

The park is open year-round, but the summer, from mid-May to mid-September, attracts the most visitors. Most services and facilities are open during this period. Hill says late July to early August is her favorite time to visit the park.

“The crowds start to thin out, giving you a chance to get up close and personal with the park’s wildlife,” she says. “There are fewer mosquitoes, but the scenery is still spectacular. It’s the perfect time to be in the middle of summer, but you get a little more privacy.”

During summer visits, from about early May to late August, you can see the midnight sun. The park stays light 24 hours a day, with the longest day on the summer solstice. True night returns in late August, so a visit in September may give you a chance to see the northern lights.

The park's roads are open in the winter. If you're visiting during this time, make sure you have the proper cold-weather gear and expect poor road conditions. Those up for an adventure will have the park almost entirely to themselves. This is a great time for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Best activities

Go on a backpacking trip. Some popular routes from the McCarthy Road include the alpine Dixie Pass with views of Mt. Blackburn and the Nugget Creek Trail, which ends at a public hut (reservations required). For a more adventurous hike, fly into the wilderness. Options include the Goat Trail or the Solo Creek to Chisana trek, both about 40 miles (XNUMX kilometers) long and requiring wilderness skills. Beginners and intermediate hikers may want to consider a guide.

Camping on Root Glacier. If you’re short on time but want to see the wilderness, try camping at Root Glacier. The two-day hike covers about 15-20 kilometers. You start in Kennecott along a forested dirt trail before hitting the ice. Here, it’s time to strap on your crampons before heading out onto the white expanse. Hiring a guide is essential for this hike, as they can help you avoid hidden ice hazards such as moulins, vertical or near-vertical shafts, wells, or tunnels in the glacier formed by meltwater flows.

Tour of Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark. A visit to the Kennecott Mine gives an insight into the history of copper mining in the early 14th century. The Kennecott Mine tour takes about two hours. On the tour, you will see the XNUMX-story mill and learn about how people lived and worked here.

Try ice climbing. Ice climbing is another great way to enjoy the splendor of the Ruth Glacier, says Hill: “You go to the glacier where you can climb blue ice walls and even descend into moulins, vertical shafts carved by meltwater.” It’s a full-day adventure.

Dare to go rafting. “You start on the Kennecott River and paddle two different waterways, enjoying epic views along the way,” Hill explains. “Not only do the guides handle the rapids with ease, they also cook you lunch on the riverbank. At the end, you’ll be picked up by a bush plane for a scenic flight over the McCarthy-Kennecott Valley.”

Sightseeing flights. It’s hard to comprehend the scale of Wrangell St. Elias from the ground, so a sightseeing flight over the peaks, glaciers, and iceberg-filled lakes is a must-do for any visitor. Wrangell Mountain Air offers flights like the 50-minute Mile High Cliff Tour, where a pilot explains the park’s geology and points out landmarks like Blackburn Mountain and the cliff-top Erie Mine. Longer flights like the 90-minute Bagley–University Range Tour take you deeper into the park.

The best hikes

Root Glacier/Erie Mine Trail. Root Glacier is the most accessible glacier in the park, and it's also a scenic one. The Root Glacier and Erie Mine Trail from Kennecott is a great way to enjoy it in a day. The route is four miles roundtrip if you go to the glacier alone, or up to ten miles total if you head to the Erie Mine trails.

Bonanza Mine Trail. This is another Kennecott-area adventure. The trail is nine miles roundtrip from Kennecott Mill Town. It's challenging, with 1100 feet of elevation gain, but the views of the Chugach Mountains and Blackburn Mountain are worth the effort—as is reaching the summit's final destination, the abandoned Bonanza Mine.

"Keep your eyes open along the way; you'll likely spot copper-rich rock in the scree," Hill warns. "This is a hike where history, geology, and stunning scenery all come together."

Caribou Creek Trail. The six-mile Caribou Creek Trail is located at mile 32 of Nabesna Road in the northern part of the park. As you walk, keep an eye out for signs of wolves, bears, or moose.

Trail Creek Trail. This is another popular trail on the Nabesna Road, a ten-kilometre one-way route that includes stream walks, tundra climbs and possible sheep encounters. The Alpine Route typically takes about eight to ten hours roundtrip.

Iceberg Lake. Hill also recommends a fly-in hike to Iceberg Lake from McCarthy, available through St. Elias Alpine Guides.

“After a short four-kilometre trek through untouched wilderness, you come to a huge glacier-fed lake where chunks of ice sometimes break off with a thunderous crack,” she says. “For those who want more, we can go beyond the lake to hidden sand dunes, cascading waterfalls and even bigger glaciers hidden in the folds of the mountains.”

Where to stay

Ma Johnson's Hotel. It takes you back to McCarthy history. It's a restored 1920s boarding house with 20 rooms decorated with McCarthy and Kennecott artifacts. Guest bathrooms are shared.

Ultima Thule Lodge. If you’re looking for capital-R remoteness, book Ultima Thule Lodge, deep in the Wrangell-St. Elias wilderness. Accessible by small plane from McCarthy, the property sits on a glacial river. Its five spacious cabins overlook snow-capped peaks and flower-strewn hills, and the owners, the Klaus family, offer adventures including hikes, sandbar picnics, and guided tours.

Wrangell Mountains Wilderness Lodge & Cabins. The site is located at kilometer 45 of the Nabesna road. There are nine huts and yurts surrounded by tranquil forests. The site has solar panels, a windmill and a greenhouse.

Kendesnii Campground. The park has a campground at kilometre 10 on the Nabesna Road. Kendesnii Campground has XNUMX tree-shaded sites, as well as lakeside picnic tables, fire rings, toilets and trails.

Where to eat

Salmon & Bear Restaurant. Winner of two Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence, this establishment offers high-end food and drink within walking distance. The McCarthy location has 10 tables and a rotating, delicious menu that includes kimchi fried rice, wagyu steaks, and sockeye salmon. Chefs make the most of local ingredients, like Copper River red salmon. Reservations are recommended.

The Potato Restaurant. After hiking the trails in McCarthy, head to local restaurant Potato's. Famous for its crispy, hand-cut rosemary-garlic fries, it offers a variety of fresh dishes like chicken fajita pita, cheesesteak, salmon wrap, and lentil falafel.

Tok Thai. Combine a visit to the Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Nature Reserve visitor centre with a quick bite at Tok Thai. This cash-only roadside establishment offers everything from spring rolls to noodles, including pad thai. There are picnic benches for an al fresco meal before the hike.

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