Proclaimed as Wrangell-St. Elias National Monument Dec. 1,1978; established as a national park and preserve Dec. 2, 1980. Wilderness designated Dec. 2, 1980. Designated a World Heritage Site Oct. 24,1979.

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Acreage -
Nationalpark:8,331,604

Federal: 8,096,008.35
Nonfederal: 235,595.65

VISITATION:

Visitation averages 25,000 recreational visits per year, with most visitors coming in the summer.

LOCATION:

The park is located on the Alaska Highway system and the interior is accessible by two state-maintained roads (the Nabesna Road and the McCarthy Road) and by aircraft. The abandoned Kennicott copper mine in the park interior is an increasingly popular destination. The NPS is studying possible acquisition of the 75-year-old buildings and mineral rights. The privately owned mine is a National Historic Landmark.

ADDRESS:

Headquarters: Mile 105.5 Old Richardson Highway
P.O. Box 439
Copper Center, AK 99573
E-mail: wrst_interpretation@nps.gov

TELEPHONE:

Headquarters: (907) 822-5234
Yakutat Ranger Station: (907)784-3295

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Winter: 8:00 through 4:30, Monday through Friday. Summer: 8:00 through 6:00, daily.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

The weather is like that of most of Interior Alaska. Summers are cloudy and cool, but clear, hot days are not uncommon in July, the warmest month. August and September tend to be cool and wet, but with fewer mosquitoes. Fall can be delightfully clear, but the season is short. Winters are cold, with temperatures dropping to 50 below zero. Average snow cover in winter is two feet. In the spring, clear skies, increasingly longer days and warming temperatures break winter's hold on the land with dramatic quickness. Throughout the year, the weather can change quickly, so it is wise to pack for any season with clothing that can be layered, ready to peel off or add as conditions dictate.

TRANSPORTATION:

The park can be reached from Anchorage via the Glenn Highway (Alaska 1). At Glennallen, the Glenn Highway meets the Richardson Highway, which skirts the park's western boundary en route to Valdez, a coastal city served by the state ferry system. The Tok Cutoff coming south from the Alaska Highway borders the northwestern corner of the park.

From these highways, two unpaved roads penetrate the park. The Chitina/McCarthy Road extends 61 miles from Chitina to the Kennicott River, just west of McCarthy. The road follows the old Copper River and Northwest Railroad route. High clearance, two wheel drive vehicles usually can make the trip in summer. The road is generally not maintained in winter.

The northern portion of the park can be reached via the Nabesna Road. From Slana on the Tok Cutoff, it extends 45 miles to Nabesna, an inactive privately owned mining area. Check at the Slana Ranger Station at the start of the Nabesna Road for the latest road conditions.

Trails, roads:

There are no maintained trails in the park, but several hiking routes and abandoned roads lead deep into the park. Contact headquarters or a park ranger station for a listing of locations and conditions.

Accessibility:

The park headquarters visitor center and Slana Ranger Station are accessible.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No admission or user fees for non-commercial users.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

There is a visitor center at park headquarters, Mile 105.5 Old Richardson Highway. Smaller exhibits and informational displays are located at the Yakutat, Slana and Chitina ranger stations.

LODGING AND CAMPING FACILITIES:

There are no federal facilities in the park. Several private lodges and bed and breakfast establishments are located along the McCarthy and Nabesna roads, in McCarthy and Kennicott, and in the highway communities. The Bureau of Land Management and the state of Alaska run campgrounds along the Richardson Highway, Tok Cutoff and Edgerton Highway. You may camp anywhere in the park, but be aware that there is considerable private land, particularly along the Nabesna and McCarthy road corridors.

FOOD/SUPPLIES:

Full service groceries are available in Anchorage and Valdez. Most food and supplies are available in Glennallen and Tok. Limited supplies are available in Chitina, McCarthy, and Slana.

OTHER CONCESSIONS/NPS-MANAGED VISITOR FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

For a list of licensed commercial operators contact the park or click here.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

This is a park for wilderness oriented activities. Besides sightseeing, major activities include backpacking, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, river running, sea kayaking in protected bays, and cross country skiiing.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

None required for non-commercial uses. Reservations recommended for most visitor services from commercial vendors.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Check with park headquarters for planned activities in the park and neighboring communities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The park/preserve contains one of the largest concentrations of Dall sheep in North America -- some 13,000 sheep in more than 13 million acres of excellent habitat.

The unit was established on Dec. 2, 1980 as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

View maps of the park and preserve at the NPS Alaska Geospatial Data Clearinghouse!

Last Updated:Tuesday, 17-Aug-99 18:40:02
http://www.nps.gov/wrst/