Operating Hours & Seasons

Park Updates - News Releases

 

When to Visit?

The primary season for visiting Wrangell-St. Elias is mid-May through mid-September. Winter arrives early to interior Alaska and by the end of September, available services and facilities are limited. There is usually snow on the ground by the end of September.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve has no entrance stations and public lands are open year-round. Please note: When visitor centers close for the day, entrance and parking lot gates are locked. If your vehicle is within locked gates after operating hours, call Alaska Region Communication Center (ARCC) Available 24 hours daily - [phone] to dispatch a ranger for assistance.

Call 911 for an emergency.

There are two roads that go into the park - the Nabesna Road and the McCarthy Road. Both roads are maintained by the State of Alaska. The roads are open year-round but are not maintained regularly during the winter.

We have multiple Visitor Centers and Ranger Stations in the park. Before visiting, call for hours and operations, in case services are limited. [phone].

Copper Center Visitor Center Complex (Mile 106.8 Richardson Hwy, includes the Ahtna Cultural Center)
Slana Ranger Station (beginning of Nabesna Road)
Chitina Ranger Station (beginning of McCarthy Road)
McCarthy Road Information Station (unstaffed, mile 58.6 McCarthy Road)
Kennecott Visitor Center (5 miles beyond the Kennicott River footbridge at the end of McCarthy Road)
Yakutat District Office (along the coast, accessible by plane or boat)

Park Headquarters & Administration: For information, call the park administration building in Copper Center at [phone].

 

Visitor Services Summer Schedule

Copper Center: mid-May - late September; 9:00am-5:00pm; Crown of the Continent show in the theater hourly; Exhibit Hall open; Dial-A-Ranger at [phone]; Alaska Geographic bookstore sales. 

Slana Ranger Station: late May - late September; 9:00am–5:00pm; Dial-A-Ranger at [phone]; Alaska Geographic bookstore sales. 

Chitina Ranger Station: late May - early September; 9:00am-5:00pm; Dial-A-Ranger at [phone]; Alaska Geographic bookstore sales.

Kennecott: late May - mid-September; Crown of the Continent & Kennecott Mill films shown in the General Store/Warehouse; exhibit buildings open; Dial-A-Ranger at [phone]. 

All visitor contact stations in the park are closed in Fall/Winter/Spring from October through April.