Operating Hours & Seasons

 

When to Visit?


Summer is the primary season for visiting Wrangell-St. Elias from mid-May through mid-September. Winter arrives early to interior Alaska and by the end of September, available services and facilities are limited. There is usually snow on the ground by the end of September.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve has no entrance stations and public lands are open year-round. Please note: When visitor centers close for the day, entrance and parking lot gates are locked. If your vehicle is within locked gates after operating hours, call Alaska Region Communication Center (ARCC) Available 24 hours daily - (907) 683-9555 to dispatch a ranger for assistance.

Call 911 for an emergency.


There are two roads that go into the park - the Nabesna Road and the McCarthy Road. Both roads are maintained by the State of Alaska. The roads are open year-round but are not maintained regularly during the winter. Please respect private property along both park roads.

There are multiple Visitor Centers and Ranger Stations open in summer. Before visiting, call for hours and operations, since they may fluctuate: (907) 822-7250.

Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center (in Copper Center at mile 106.8 Richardson Hwy, complex includes the Ahtna Cultural Center)
Slana Ranger Station (beginning of Nabesna Road)
Chitina Ranger Station (beginning of McCarthy Road)
McCarthy Road Information Station (unstaffed, mile 58.6 McCarthy Road)
Kennecott Visitor Center (5 miles beyond the Kennicott River bridge, beyond mile 59.4 on the McCarthy Road)
Yakutat District Office (along the coast, accessible by plane or boat)

Park Headquarters & Administration: For information, call the park administration building in Copper Center at (907) 822-5234.

 

Visitor Services Summer Schedule

Summer 2024 visitor contact station days and hours of operation:


Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center, Copper Center:  May 13 – September 15, daily 9 am - 5 pm. (907) 822-7250

Kennecott Visitor Center:  May 24 – September 6, daily, 9 - 11:30am, 1:30 - 4:30pm. (907) 205-7106

Slana Ranger Station:  May 24 – September 21, daily 9 am - 5 pm. (907) 822-7401

Chitina Ranger Station:  May 24 – August 31, Fridays & Saturdays, hours vary - staffing dependent. (907) 823-2205

All visitor contact stations (visitor centers and ranger stations) in the park are closed in Fall-Winter-Spring from October through April.

Last updated: July 31, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
PO Box 439
Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway

Copper Center, AK 99573

Phone:

907 822-5234

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