Park headquarters is located in Copper Center, 10 miles south of Glennallen, Alaska. The main park visitor center, theater, and exhibit buildings are found here. Head south from Glennallen to mile 106.8 of the Richardson Highway. There are also Ranger Stations in Slana, Chitina and Yakutat.

Access into the Park/Preserve is usually by private vehicle along unpaved gravel roads, via watercraft, 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. Cordova and Valdez are accessed via the Alaska Marine Highway (State Ferry) (800) 642-0066.

Reaching Glennallen by Bus or Van

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 in Glennallen. Call for days and schedules.

Entering the Park by Bus or Van

Seasonally, Backcountry Connection (907) 822-5292 makes daily runs from Glennallen, Copper Center, Kenny Lake, Chitina to McCarthy/Kennecott. Group transportation is also available from Anchorage, Denali National Park, Fairbanks & Valdez. Call for reservations.

Seasonally, Wrangell-St. Elias Tours (907) 822-5978 provides summer daily transportation from Chitina and Kenny Lake to McCarthy. They also provide transportation from Anchorage all the way to McCarthy. Shuttles depart Anchorage on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 8:00 am and arrive at McCarthy by 5:00 pm.

Reaching Glennallen or McCarthy by air

Copper Valley Air  has scheduled flights from Anchorage to Glennallen and McCarthy on Wednesdays and Fridays. Call (907) 822-4200 or 866-570-4200 for prices and flight times. Wrangell Mountain Air, (800) 478-1160, offers three daily trips (Mid-May to Mid-September) between Chitina and McCarthy with advance reservations.

Entering the Park from Glennallen

From Glennallen, surface 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 the respective ranger station listed below:

• McCARTHY ROAD: Chitina Ranger Station (summer only) (907) 823-2205
• NABESNA ROAD: Nabesna Ranger Station, (907) 822-7401
• PARK HEADQUARTERS:Wrangell-St. Elias Park and Preserve Mile 106.8 Richardson Hwy. P.O. Box 439 Copper Center, AK 99573 (907) 822-5234.

Air Access

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. A list of Local Air Taxi operators is available from Park Headquarters.