Park headquarters is located in Copper Center, at mile 106.8 on the Richardson Hwy, 15 miles south of Glennallen, Alaska.   The Richardson Hwy is a paved road that is maintained year-round.  The main park visitor center, theater, and exhibit buildings are found here.

Kennecott is a popular destination for many folks. To get to Kennecott, visitors must travel the McCarthy Road, which is gravel and maintained by the state of Alaska. Plan on a 3-4 hour drive from park headquarters to the end of the road.

Once at the end of the McCarthy Road, visitors must park their vehicle and walk across the footbridge.  There is a privately-operated shuttle to Kennecott, located 5 miles away. This shuttle leaves McCarthy every hour or half hour throughout the summer (May-September).  A fee is required to travel on this shuttle.

During the winter, the McCarthy Road is minimally maintained and plowed.  Visitors can reach McCarthy, but the shuttle between McCarthy and Kennecott is not in operation during the winter months.

Please note that traveling from the footbridge to Kennecott via a ORV or ATV is a violation of State Law.
Parking is limited in Kennecott with NO public parking available on federal lands. Kennecott National Historic Landmark is managed as a pedestrian only area. 

There are also Ranger Stations in Slana, Chitina and Yakutat.

HOW TO REACH WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE

Access into the Park/Preserve is usually by private vehicle along unpaved gravel roads or by chartered air taxi service from Tok, Glennallen (Gulkana), McCarthy, Valdez, Cordova, or Yakutat. With the exception of Yakutat and Cordova, these communities can be reached by private vehicle or bus lines from Anchorage. Yakutat and Cordova can be reached by Alaska Airlines (800) 426-0333, which offers daily jet service from both Juneau and Anchorage. Yakutat, Cordova, and Valdez are accessed via the Alaska Marine Highway (State Ferry) (800) 642-0066.

BY VEHICLE

There are no park-operated shuttle systems inside or around Wrangell-St. Elias National Park/Preserve.

Glennallen, the largest community near the park, is located at the junction of the Richardson and Glenn Highways. Alaska Direct Bus Line (800) 770-6652 runs a bus from Anchorage to Tok, with multiple stops along the way, including Glennallen. Call for schedules. Soaring Eagle Tranist (907) 822-4545 also provides shuttle service to and from Anchorage as well as Valdez. Please call for schedules and fares.

Entering the Park by Private Vehicle 
From Copper Center, road access into the Park/Preserve is via either the McCarthy Road (from Chitina to McCarthy - 60 miles) or the Nabesna Road (from Slana to Nabesna - 42 miles). Both are unpaved gravel roads usually suitable for passenger vehicles. Drivers should check current road conditions at Park Headquarters, (907) 822-5234, or at any ranger station.

Entering the Park by Commercial Bus or Van
During the summer, Backcountry Connection (907) 822-5292 makes daily runs from Glennallen, Copper Center, Kenny Lake, and Chitina to McCarthy/Kennecott. Group transportation is also available from Anchorage, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, & Valdez. Call for reservations.

During the summer, Wrangell-St. Elias Tours (907) 822-5978 provides daily transportation from Chitina and Kenny Lake to McCarthy. They also provide transportation from Anchorage to McCarthy. Call for reservations. 

BY AIR

Entering the Park by Commerical Air
Copper Valley Air  has scheduled flights from Anchorage to Glennallen and McCarthy. Call (907) 822-4200 or (866) 570-4200 for prices and flight times.

Wrangell Mountain Air offers three daily trips (Mid-May to Mid-September) between Chitina and McCarthy.  Call (800) 478-1160 for reservations. 

Check here for all Local Air Taxi operators in the park.

Entering the Park by Private Plane
There are numerous airstrips throughout the Park/Preserve. These can be reached via private airplane or by contacting one of the air taxi services licensed to operate in the Park/Preserve.