Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve

Usual hours

• Closed through 2026-12-17

From 56 published days, 2026-10-23 to 2026-12-17; community-mapped.

About

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Hunting activity

Shows and experiences

• Junior Ranger program

Before you go

Limits

Dogs are allowed on trails within the park and in the backcountry and it is the owner's responsibility to maintain control over their dogs and keep them on a leash at all times

Getting there

The administrative building and main park visitor center are located along the Richardson Highway (Hwy 4), which is a paved state highway that runs through Copper Center, AK. The buildings are 8 miles south of the Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway intersection near Glennallen, Alaska. This is approximately 200 miles east of Anchorage, AK and 250 miles south of Fairbanks, AK.

Weather & when to go

Varies widely depending on location in park and time of year. Visit https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/weather.htm for detailed information.

Visitor center

Ahtna Cultural Center

Visitor center

Ahtna Cultural Center

Visitor center

Chisana

Visitor center

Chitina Ranger Station

Visitor center

Chitina Ranger Station

Visitor center

Chitina Ranger Station

Visitor center

Chitina Ranger Station

Visitor center

Chitina Ranger Station — Open in summer on Fridays and Saturdays; staffing dependent. Call the Wrangell - St Elias Visitor Center at (907) 822-5234 for confirmation on hours. Dial-A-Ranger at (907) 823-2205; Closed in Fall-Winter-Spring. — The Chitina Ranger Station is 58 miles away from the Copper Center Visitor Center, located in the town of Chitina, behind the State of Alaska Wayside (vault toilet and interpretive panels). Located in downtown Chitina at mile 33 on the Edgerton Highway. Upon entering Chitina town southbound, turn left at the Chitina Hotel, drive down the gravel road 0.2 mile (300 meters), station on left. The…

Visitor center

Chitina Wayside

Visitor center

Entrance Loop Information Sign

Visitor center

Exhibit Hall

Visitor center

Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark

Facilities on the park map

6 bench, 1 changing table, 1 defibrillator, 3 first aid kit, 16 picnic area, 41 restroom, 46 visitor information, 6 water fountain.

Where to stay

• Kendesnii Campground Located on the Nabesna Road, this free camping area is the only National Park Service campground in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It has 10 designated campsites, each with a picnic table and a fire ring. There are two vault toilets. Each site can accommodate a small to medium RV or other vehicles. It is free and open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, but is not plowed during the · 10 campsites