Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is wild, rugged and
absolutely enormous. This park, located a day’s drive east of
Anchorage Alaska, is the largest unit of the National Park System. It
is part of a World Heritage site which includes Glacier Bay National
Park and Canada’s Kluane and Tatshenshini-Alesk National Parks,
and at over 31,000 square miles is the largest protected international
wilderness in the world. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park has the continent’s
greatest collection of peaks over 16,000 feet tall, the largest assemblage
of glaciers and the highest concentration of Dall Sheep. It is also
one of Alaska’s prime locations for unforgettable outdoor adventure.
Wildlife enthusiasts could spend a lifetime observing the myriad of
creatures in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Black and Brown Bears,
whales and seals, Minks, Martins and Wolverines all make there home
here, as do Caribou, Moose and Mountain Goats. There are well over 200
species of birds to spot, including eagles, falcons, songbirds and waterfowl.
Visitors may see Harlequin Ducks, Pomarine Jaegers, Artic, Common and
Caspian Terns and a host of other beautiful birds.
Hunters and fishers will find plenty of game at Alaska’s Wrangell-St.
Elias National Park. There are 13 million acres of Public Use Land in
which sport hunting is permitted within the park’s boundaries
(note that hunting is only allowed within the Natural Preserve), with
big game like Moose, bear and sheep. Anglers will have more luck fishing
the streams for Sculpin, Burbot and Lamprey than they will for salmon,
but the Gulkan River has been known to have more than a few King Salmon,
if salmon’s a must.
Boating is an exciting way to see the park. Rafting trips down the Chitina,
Copper and Nabensy Rivers are big favorites. Kayaking here is fantastic,
especially in the cold, blue waters of Icy Bay, where 4 once mighty
glaciers make their slow retreat over the fjords. Wrangell-St. Elias has the largest ice fields and tallest peaks in North
America. Mt. Blackburn, Mt. Sanford and the St. Elias Range have attracted
mountaineers for generations. These are remote and difficult climbs,
and only the most prepared and self-sufficient mountaineers should attempt
them. Contact the NPS for permits. Climbers wishing to climb the peaks
in Canada’s adjacent Kluane National Park can call (403) 634-7279
for more information.
Backcountry hiking and backpacking in Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias
National Park is great and doesn’t require a permit. This is some
serious backcountry though, big, wild and bear-filled, so it’s
a good idea to fill out a Backcountry Itinerary at the park offices.
There are 13 remote 1st come/1st serve
Public Use Cabins in Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park,
each with only a stove, pit-toilet and a few bunks, but some fine scenery.
