• Winter in the Wrangells

    Wrangell - St Elias

    National Park & Preserve Alaska

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  • Delayed Opening of Kennecott Visitor Center

    Due to lingering snow conditions and frozen water supply lines, the park has postponed the opening of the Kennecott Visitor Center until June 1. Even though the visitor center is closed, Kennecott MInes NHL and local businesses are open. More »

Hiking Routes

Please contact the park for more information about hiking trails or for assistance with trip-planning at (907) 822-7250. Or e-mail us!

Many of these trails have cabins and airstrips located nearby. For information about backcountry cabins and airstrips, Click Here.

 
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT:
Out and about in the Glennallen, Copper Center, Kenny Lake, and Chitina area. Most of these trails are located outside the park.
 
Along the Nugget Creek Trail
 

Hiking trails located on site at the Copper Center Visitor Center:

Boreal Forest Trail
Easy, ½ mile loop overlooking the Wrangell Mountains.

Hiking trails near the Copper Center Visitor Center:

Tolsona Mud Volcanoes, Aspen Interpretive Trail, Kenny Lake Trail, Tonsina River Trail, & Liberty Falls Trail
These are short, nearby hikes that are not located inside the park. These hikes are located near the park on the Glenn Highway (Hwy 1) and the Edgerton Highway (Hwy 10).

Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge Trails
There are short trails located at the nearby Princess Lodge. The lodge and trails are only open in the summer. Please contact them for further information at (907) 822-4000 or at www.princesslodges.com/copper-river-lodge.cfm.

Hiking trails and routes in the Chitina, AK Area:

Five-Mile Trail & O'Brien to Haley Creek Trail
These are hikes that are not located inside the park. These hikes are located near the park in Chitina, AK, on the Edgerton Highway (Hwy 10).

 

KENNECOTT DISTRICT:
Explorations along the McCarthy Road, Kennecott Area, and fly-in trips from McCarthy. All of these trails and routes are located inside the park.

Please note: many of these descriptions are routes and have no trails. Some trips may require extensive trip-planning. Please contact the Kennecott Visitor Center (open during the summer) for more information at (907) 822-7476.

 
Hiker in Skolai Pass
 

Hiking trails and routes along the McCarthy Road:

Crystalline Hills Trail
Day hike to a nice wilderness view. Easy trail accessible from the McCarthy Rd.

Dixie Pass Trail
Hike along a creek to a high alpine pass. Takes 2-3 days to go to the pass and back. Trail is accessible from the McCarthy Rd.

Nugget Creek Trail & Cabin
15 miles to a cabin, mine, and glacier. Takes 2-3 days to go to the cabin and back. Accessible from the McCarthy Rd.

Hiking trails and routes starting from McCarthy/Kennecott:

Kennecott Hiking & Food Storage Map
Hikes from the Kennecott Mill Town & locations of Bear Proof Food Storage Lockers.

McCarthy Creek
Take a day hike and explore a riverside trail. Accessible from McCarthy.

The Wagon Road & Toe of the Kennicott Glacier
Easy hike to the "Toe of the Glacier" and to Kennecott Mill Town. Starts near McCarthy.

Root Glacier Trail
Moderate hike to the ice and along the Root Glacier. Starts from Kennecott Mill Town.

Jumbo Mine Trail
Day hike to panoramic views and mining remnants. Trail starts from Kennecott and is moderately strenuous.

Bonanza Mine Trail
Day hike to tremendous views and rich history. Trail starts from Kennecott and is moderately strenuous.

Erie Lake and "The Knoll"
Route going past Erie Lake & ends near Stairway Icefall. No trail to follow. Takes 2 days to go to the Knoll and back. Considered moderately strenuous.

Backcountry routes near the Kennecott District:
Travel on these routes should be done only by experienced parties who are able to read and follow a map and compass. These trips require extensive trip-planning, route-finding, and map reading skills. These areas are very remote and the hiking is strenuous. Help is not readily available. During the spring, creek levels can be low in the morning and impassable by late afternoon. Heavy rainstorms can quickly raise the water levels. Bears may be present in these areas. Proper food storage is required! Bear Resistant Food Containers are available from all park visitor centers. These routes are NOT maintained. For more information about these routes, please call the Kennecott Visitor Center (907-822-7476) during the summer and the Copper Center Visitor Center (907-822-7250) during the winter.

Bonanza Ridge
Hiking route, 28 mile loop near Kennecott. No trails to follow. Requires extensive trip-planning.

The Goat Trail
Route across Skolai Pass to Glacier Creek. Fly-in destination. No trails to follow. Requires extensive trip-planning.

Erie Mine
Extremely strenuous scramble up the hillside to history. Accessible from Kennecott. No trails to follow. Requires extensive trip-planning.

Donoho Peak
Hike over the glacier to climb this peak. Accessible from Kennecott. No trails to follow. Requires extensive trip-planning.

Hidden Creek Valley
Hiking route or fly-in destination. No trails to follow. Requires extensive trip-planning.

Nicolai Pass
4-5 day backpack from McCarthy. No trails to follow. Requires extensive trip-planning.

 

NABESNA DISTRICT:
Places to hike along the Nabesna Road and the northern wilds of the park. All of these trails and routes are located inside the park.

Please note: many of these descriptions are routes and have no trails. Some trips may require extensive trip-planning. Please contact the Slana Ranger Station (open during the summer) for more information at (907) 822-7401.

 
along Lost Creek Trail
 

Hiking trails and routes along the Nabesna Road:

Caribou Creek Trail & Cabin
Easy day hike and awesome views. Accessible from the Nabesna Rd.

Lost Creek Trail
Hike up the Lost Creek drainage to the high country. Accessible from the Nabesna Rd.

Soda Lake Trail
Travel the tundra to a remote lake. Takes 2 days to hike to the lake and back. Accessible from the Nabesna Rd.

Trail Creek-Lost Creek Loop
A spectacular 3-4 day loop. Requires some route-finding. Accessible from the Nabesna Rd.

Skookum Volcano Trail
Day hike to great views and geology! Considered moderately strenuous. Accessible from the Nabesna Rd.

Rambler Mine Trail
Easy hike to an old mine and a panoramic view. Accessible from the Nabesna Rd.

Backcountry routes near the Nabesna District:
Travel on these routes should be done only by experienced parties who are able to read and follow a map and compass. These trips require extensive trip-planning, route-finding, and map reading skills. These areas are very remote and the hiking is strenuous. Help is not readily available. During the spring, creek levels can be low in the morning and impassable by late afternoon. Heavy rainstorms can quickly raise the water levels. Bears may be present in these areas. Proper food storage is required! Bear Resistant Food Containers are available from all park visitor centers. These routes are NOT maintained. For more information about these routes, please call the Slana Ranger Station (907-822-7401) during the summer and the Copper Center Visitor Center (907-822-7250) during the winter.

Beaver Creek Area
20 miles of adventure! Fly-in only. No trails to follow. Requires extensive trip-planning.

Chelle Lake Area
A great base camp for exploration, fly-in only. No trails to follow. Requires extensive trip-planning.

Skookum to Rambler Route
High-country scramble with awesome views. No trails to follow. Requires extensive trip-planning.

Sanford - Dadina Plateau
Wild & remote route, fly-in only. No trails to follow. Requires extensive trip-planning.

Baultoff Creek Area
Explore a remote valley, fly-in only. No trails to follow. Requires extensive trip-planning.

 

GLENN HIGHWAY:
Trails between Anchorage and Glennallen. These trails are located about 80 miles from Copper Center - they are not located in the park and they are not maintained by the National Park Service.

Chickaloon-Knik-Nelchina Trail System (mile 118.5 Glenn Hwy)


Did You Know?

Black Spruce

The black spruce tree was traditionally used for medical purposes by many Alaskan Native tribes. Some of these uses included treating snow blindness or eye damage, infections, toothaches, and sore throats.