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At 13.2 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the
United States. Within it's boundaries, three spectacular mountain ranges converge, the Chugach
Mountains, Wrangell Mountains, and St. Elias Mountains. Additionally, the park includes the
North American continent's largest assemblage of glaciers and the greatest collection of peaks
(9) above 14,500 feet (4,420 m). Mount St. Elias, at 18,008 feet (5,489 m), is the second highest peak in the
United States, behind Mt. McKinley at 20,320 (6,194 m). This region is often referred to as "mountain
kingdom of North America".
Ground access to the park's interior is via two unpaved roads. From the northwest, visitors
can enter the park on the 42 mile (68 km) Nabesna Road. It is much the same today as it was
when it was built in 1934. The road provides access to primitive campsites, pristine lakes,
raging streams and unspoiled hiking trails. On the park's western boundary, the McCarthy Road
begins in Chitina and follows an abandoned railroad bed along the base of the Chitina River
valley for 61 miles (99 km) ending at the Kennicott River. At that point visitors cross the
river on a foot bridge and board a van for the final .5 mile leg to historic town of
McCarthy or the 5 mile drive up the mountain to the Kennicott Mines National Historic
Landmark.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a day's drive (250 miles/405 km) east of Anchorage,
and 105 miles (170 km) north of Valdez on the Richardson Highway. There is regular air
taxi service available from McCarthy to Chitina and Copper Center. Lodging is available
in Copper Center, Glenallen, Gakona, Chitina, McCarthy and Kennicott.
Return to Alaska National Parks Index
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