Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

The largest national park in the United States, featuring multiple peaks over 16,000 feet, vast glaciers, and remote wilderness. It's a paradise for mountaineers, backcountry hikers, and those seeking true Alaskan solitude and pristine wilderness.

Things to do

• Climb Mount Blackburn — Attempt Alaska's third-highest peak at 16,390 feet, a challenging mountaineering objective requiring technical skills and proper acclimatization.
• Hike the Bagley Icefield — Traverse North America's largest icefield outside the polar regions, featuring crevasse fields, seracs, and stunning glacier views accessible to experienced backcountry travelers.
• Visit McCarthy via Kuskulana Bridge — Walk across the historic 196-foot suspension bridge over the Kuskulana River to reach the remote ghost town of McCarthy, built during the copper mining era.
• Kayak Moraine Lake — Paddle among icebergs calved from the Bagley Icefield in this scenic alpine lake surrounded by jagged peaks and glacial terrain.
• Trek to the Nabesna Glacier — Explore one of the park's most accessible glaciers via a backcountry route offering views of turquoise meltwater lakes and alpine tundra.
• Summit Mount Sanford — Climb the park's second-highest peak at 16,237 feet, known for its distinctive cone and views spanning the entire volcanic plateau.

Food to try

• Fresh Copper River Salmon — Catch or enjoy locally-sourced wild salmon during seasonal runs, prepared simply grilled or smoked at remote lodges and McCarthy establishments.
• Game Stew with Moose or Caribou — Experience hearty Alaskan wilderness cuisine featuring locally-hunted game simmered with root vegetables and wild berries at rustic backcountry camps.
• Sourdough Bread and Pancakes — Enjoy authentic Alaskan prospector fare at McCarthy's cafes, where sourdough starter traditions date back to the copper mining boom of the early 1900s.
• Fresh Glacier-Fed Trout — Fish pristine backcountry streams and alpine lakes for Arctic grayling and cutthroat trout, cooking your catch over camp stoves with alpine views.

Local customs & good to know

• Plan extensively and self-rely completely — The park is extremely remote with no services, cell coverage, or roads beyond McCarthy; visitors must be entirely self-sufficient with proper gear, navigation skills, and contingency plans.
• Respect mining heritage in McCarthy — McCarthy preserves Alaska's copper mining legacy from the early 1900s, and locals value visitors who learn the history and respect the restoration efforts of this living heritage site.
• Prepare for severe weather and wildlife encounters — Conditions change rapidly with sudden storms, and grizzly bears, wolves, and moose are common; carry bear spray, know proper food storage, and maintain constant situational awareness.
• Register with park rangers before backcountry trips — File trip plans with the National Park Service at the main visitor center, as this remote wilderness allows for search and rescue coordination and provides valuable safety oversight.