{"id":"nps-wrst","slug":"wrangell-st-elias-national-park-and-preserve","name":"Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve","designation":"National Park & Preserve","category":"national-park","categoryLabel":"National Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"WRST","designation":"National Park & Preserve","sourceId":"nps-wrst"}],"states":["AK"],"stateNames":["Alaska"],"location":{"lat":61.4182147,"lon":-142.6028439},"bbox":[-145.4353,59.6932,-139.0612,62.718],"acres":{"value":15337206,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":{"date":"1980-12-02","designation":null,"name":null,"text":"Established as a national park and national preserve Dec. 2, 1980","authority":{"type":"unspecified","signedBy":null,"administration":"Jimmy Carter","citation":null},"reviewed":true},"established":{"date":"1980-12-02","designation":"National Park & Preserve","name":null,"text":"Established as a national park and national preserve Dec. 2, 1980","authority":{"type":"unspecified","signedBy":null,"administration":"Jimmy Carter","citation":null},"reviewed":true},"administrations":["Jimmy Carter"],"designationHistory":[{"date":"1980-12-02","action":"established","designation":null,"name":null,"indexText":"Established as a national park and national preserve Dec. 2, 1980","authority":{"type":"unspecified","signedBy":null,"administration":"Jimmy Carter","citation":null},"note":null,"sources":[{"name":"The National Parks: Index 2012–2016 (National Park Service), PDF page 23","url":"https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/upload/npindex2012-2016.pdf"},{"name":"American Presidency Project: Carter remarks signing ANILCA, Dec. 2, 1980","url":"https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-signing-into-law-the-alaska-national-interest-lands-conservation-act"}],"research":"nps-index-2012-2016","reviewed":true,"review":{"verdict":"confirmed","note":"ANILCA, Carter.","by":"HistorianPanel accuracy review, batch 1","date":"2026-11-09"}}],"summary":"Wrangell-St. Elias is a vast national park that rises from the ocean all the way up to 18,008 ft. At 13.2 million acres, the park is the same size as Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined! Within this wild landscape, people continue to live off the land as they have done for centuries. This rugged, beautiful land is filled with opportunities for adventure.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/wrst/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=62.718&b_tl_lng=-145.4353&b_br_lat=59.6932&b_br_lng=-139.0612","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Wrangell%20-%20St%20Elias%20National%20Park%20%26%20Preserve","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/wrangell-st-elias-visitor-center.htm"},"cover":{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7AAD63-1DD8-B71B-0BCE10FFD741A687.jpg","title":"Icy Bay with Mt. St. Elias","alt":"Glaciers loom over the ocean with large snowy mountains rising into blue skies","credit":"NPS Photo/ Neal Herbert","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/wrst/index.htm","tier":1,"source":"National Park Service"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7AAD63-1DD8-B71B-0BCE10FFD741A687.jpg","title":"Icy Bay with Mt. St. Elias","alt":"Glaciers loom over the ocean with large snowy mountains rising into blue skies","credit":"NPS Photo/ Neal Herbert","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/wrst/index.htm","source":"National Park Service","cover":true},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7AAC04-1DD8-B71B-0B6534785C41D6B5.jpg","title":"Backpackers in Mentasta Mountains","alt":"Two backpackers sitting in an alpine meadow with snowy mountains in the background","caption":"Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a backpacker's paradise.  A variety of routes take you into beautiful country, including the Mentasta Mountains.","credit":"NPS Photo/ Bryan Petrtyl","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7AB124-1DD8-B71B-0B224A3B96A7304E.jpg","title":"Kennecott Mill Town","alt":"Historic, large, red buildings with mountains in the background","caption":"Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark is found within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.  This early 1900's copper mining operation overcame numerous challenges and found success in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness.","credit":"NPS Photo/ Matthew Yarbrough","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7AB2FD-1DD8-B71B-0BC380F8D220B0BA.jpg","title":"Logan Glacier","alt":"A large glacier with stripes of different colored rock nestled in between barren mountain slopes.","caption":"Wrangell-St. Elias National Park contains the greatest concentration of glaciers in North America.  More than 3000 glaciers covering over three million acres of land are found in the park.","credit":"NPS Photo/ Bryan Petrtyl","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7AB5F0-1DD8-B71B-0B0A0B409DEAB3ED.jpg","title":"Wrangell Mountains","alt":"Four large snow covered mountains rise above dense forest into blue skies.","caption":"The Wrangell Mountains dominate the view of the northern half of the park.   This range lies entirely within the park and reaches 16,390 ft (4,996 m) in height.","credit":"NPS Photo/ Bryan Petrtyl","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/9DC3E3D5-D69E-D0CC-CB5DDBE505175B32.jpg","title":"Copper Center Visitor Center","alt":"Copper Center Visitor Center","caption":"Copper Center Visitor Center","credit":"National Park Service","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/9DCBE069-A954-BD79-5281A59DC8A04EDE.jpg","title":"Slana Ranger Station","alt":"Slana Ranger Station","caption":"Slana Ranger Station","credit":"National Park Service","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/9DD39775-F416-41FB-469ABEA4388BD8F2.jpg","title":"Chitina Ranger Station","alt":"Chitina Ranger Station","caption":"Chitina Ranger Station","credit":"National Park Service","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/9DE230BE-C2B2-38C5-DF6FF368C1AB8F0B.jpg","title":"Kennecott Visitor Center","alt":"Kennecott Visitor Center in the historic Blackburn School","caption":"Kennecott Visitor Center in the historic Blackburn School","credit":"National Park Service","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/9DED0407-CD98-60E5-7965642A3CD2DA0D.jpg","title":"Yakutat coastal area","alt":"Yakutat coastal area","caption":"Yakutat coastal area","credit":"National Park Service","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Auto and ATV","ATV Off-Roading","Auto Off-Roading","Scenic Driving","Biking","Mountain Biking","Boating","Camping","Backcountry Camping","Canoe or Kayak Camping","Car or Front Country Camping","Group Camping","RV Camping","Canyoneering","Climbing","Mountain Climbing","Fishing","Freshwater Fishing","Fly Fishing","Saltwater Fishing","Flying","Fixed Wing Flying","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Self-Guided Tours - Auto","Hiking","Backcountry Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Hunting and Gathering","Gathering and Foraging","Hunting","Paddling","Junior Ranger Program","Snowmobiling","Snowshoeing","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Archeology","Arts","Photography","Aviation","Explorers and Expeditions","Industry","Mining","Native American Heritage","Animals","Birds","Bison","Cats (wild)","Fish","Wolves","Arctic","Tundra","Climate Change","Coasts, Islands and Atolls","Fire","Forests and Woodlands","Coniferous Forests","Fossils and Paleontology","Dinosaur","Geology","Mineral Deposits","Glaciers","Lakes","Mountains","Night Sky","Aurora Borealis","Trails","Volcanoes","Watersheds","Wilderness"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Headquarters Visitor Center - Copper Center, AK","description":"The park and public lands are always open but visitor facilities have limited seasons: Open in Summer. Call ahead for hours: Copper Center (907) 822-7250, Slana (907) 822-7401, Chitina (907) 823-7250 and Kennecott (907) 205-7106. CLOSED Mid-September through April.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Summer Hours","start":"2027-05-20","end":"2027-09-20","hours":{"wednesday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","monday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","thursday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","sunday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","tuesday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","friday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","saturday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM"}}]},{"name":"Kennecott Visitor Center - Kennecott, AK","description":"The park and public lands are always open but visitor facilities have limited seasons: Open in Summer. Call ahead for hours: Kennecott (907) 205-7106 and Slana (907) 822-7401, Copper Center (907) 822-7250, and Chitina (907) 823-2205. CLOSED Beginning of September through April.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"},"exceptions":[]},{"name":"Slana Ranger Station - Slana, AK","description":"Slana (907) 822-7401, Copper Center (907) 822-7250, Chitina (907) 823-2205 and.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"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.","weatherInfo":"Varies widely depending on location in park and time of year. Visit https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/weather.htm for detailed information.","contacts":{"phone":"9078225234","email":"wrst_info@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center in Copper Center","description":"Enjoy the exhibits, view the park film, hike nature trails, shop in the bookstore, gather park & area information, conduct backcountry trip planning, and view the large 3-D interactive map display. Park rangers provide guided talks and walks daily during the summer months. Subsistence fishing and hunting permits are also available for eligible local rural residents.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/wrangell-st-elias-visitor-center.htm","lat":62.02004606283073,"lon":-145.36344408988953},{"name":"Chitina Ranger Station","description":"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 light brown historical log cabin with mint green trim is the Chitina Ranger Station.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/chitina-ranger-station.htm","lat":61.515949383,"lon":-144.438231764},{"name":"Slana Ranger Station","description":"Get the latest Nabesna Road conditions and information about its recreational opportunities.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/slana-ranger-station.htm","lat":62.709631,"lon":-143.98186099999998},{"name":"Kennecott Visitor Center","description":"Located in the \"Blackburn School,\" the Kennecott Visitor Center has exhibits and Rangers available to help with your trip planning.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/kennecott-visitor-center.htm","lat":61.483335,"lon":-142.887817},{"name":"Yakutat","description":"Yakutat is located in the southern portion of the park along the coastline in Yakutat Bay at the base of the St. Elias Mountains. Accessible only by plane or boat, this area encompasses the park's coastal region, with 155 miles of little-known coastline, where giant mountains, enormous glaciers, and temperate rainforest meet the ocean. For information, please call Park Headquarters in Copper Center at (907) 822-5234.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/yakutat-and-coast.htm","lat":59.54886697245585,"lon":-139.72877357191362}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Kendesnii Campground","description":"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 winter so campsites may not be accessible. Reservations are not taken and are not required.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/camping-along-the-nabesna-road.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":10}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"tetlin-national-wildlife-refuge","km":150}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=wrst"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"reviewed","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.625Z","alerts":[],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/wrangell-st-elias-national-park-and-preserve/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/wrangell-st-elias-national-park-and-preserve.geojson"}