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Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & PreserveCamping along the Nabesna Road
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Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
Nabesna Road Camping Highlights

There are many pullouts along Nabesna Road that are suitable for a small or medium RV, camper trailer, pickup camper or tent camping. All sites are primitive and available on a first come, first served basis. No potable water is available after leaving Slana.

These are a few of the best spots:

Rufus Creek, Mile Post 6.1 
This site has a picnic table and is surrounding by tall aspen trees. Rufus Creek runs next to the site. Spend a few minutes catching some Dolly Varden for dinner.

Kettle Lake, Mile Post 16.6 
This site has a picnic table and a million dollar view of the Wrangell Mountains. Follow game trails across the tundra to a small lake. The site is close to the road and can be quite dusty when traffic passes by.

Rock Lake, Mile Post 21.8 
This site has a picnic table and vaulted toilet. It is a small site and close to the road but looks out on a beautiful mountain lake with the Wrangell Mountians visible in the distance.

Twin Lakes, Mile Post 27.8 
This area has several picnic tables and a vaulted toilet. There is room for several vehicles without seeming crowded. The area is surrounded by tall spruce trees and is off the road enough to avoid dust. There are some sites near the shoreline of the lake but the access road is extremely rough and requires high clearance. Enjoy viewing waterfowl and fishing for grayling.

Jack Creek, Mile Post 35.3
This area has two picnic tables and a vaulted toilet. There is room for up to three vehicles. The road beyond Mile Post 29 receives less traffic so this is often a place to camp in solitude. There are numerous game trails to follow up and down stream as well as a stream of small ponds usually occupied by beaver. Jack Creek is a great spot to catch grayling.

Remember, treat or boil all water, dispose of trash properly, store food safely and be extremely careful with fire. All State of Alaska fishing regulations apply in Wrangell-St. Elias.

Fishwheel On Copper River  

Did You Know?
The fishwheel, a device relied upon by many Alaskans today for harvesting salmon, was first used in the U.S. in North Carolina in 1829. A good spot to observe fishwheels in action is in the Copper River, near Chitina.

Last Updated: March 13, 2007 at 12:10 EST