Observant visitors can find moose near bogs or lakes, grizzly bears near streams, Dall sheep high in the mountains and dozens of other species in between. Climbers who are up for the challenge have the option to join guided trips or to go out on their own. Even in a state like Alaska which is famous for its size, Wrangell-St. Elias stands out. Travelling along the northern edge of the Chugach Mountain Range and then south along the Copper River Valley we should have (weather permitting) great views of Mt Drum, Mt Wrangell, Mt Sanford and … That title belongs to Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. Sometimes it gets a little hot at Wrangell - St. Elias. For comparison, Wrangell-St. Elias is larger than the country of Switzerland and six times larger than Yellowstone National Park. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. One notable glacier in Wrangell - St. Elias is Hubbard Glacier. The park’s main visitor’s center is about 300 kilometers east of Anchorage. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Wrangell St. Elias is a vast national park that rises from the ocean all the way up to 18,008 ft. At 13.2 million acres, the park is the same size as Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined! Mile High Cliff Tour 50 minute - $250/person. The reward is a remarkable trek through an unspoiled mountain environment in the world's biggest wilderness. Gateway Arch National Park is the smallest National Park in the US. More recently in 2015 a rock avalanche in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve about 186 mi (300 km) northwest of GBNPP, travelled about 3 mi (5 km) into Taan Fiord and generated a tsunami that … Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the biggest National Park in the US. Though the park spans over 20,000 square miles, its two gravel roads, Nabesna Rd and McCarthy Rd, combine to reach just over 100 miles. With 13.2 million acres to explore, Wrangell - St. Elias is roughly six times larger than Yellowstone National Park, and over 17 times larger than Yosemite National Park. If you missed our Pipeline, Copper Basin Farming, or Kennecott Virtual Adventures, the recordings are available below. While there are many options for lodging within Wrangell - St. Elias — including campsites, hotels, motels, RV sites, and bed and breakfasts — perhaps its most remote permanent lodging options are its 14 backcountry cabins that are available for public use. It's a crazy and extreme 13 million acre terrain, with glaciers and volcanoes dominating the landscape. It is the largest national park in the United States, six times the size of Yellowstone. The article was published in December 2018. Increased global temperatures have caused there to be more snowfall over Hubbard Glacier, which over time compacts to become part of the glacier itself. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest National Park in America. One of only 23 World Heritage Sites in the United States, Wrangell - St. Elias is designated as such for the geological and ecological value it brings to the world. Sometimes it gets a little hot at Wrangell - St. Elias. Where wildlife thrives amid rock, ice and tundra? Reviews. These three volcanoes, collectively called the Klawasi Group, are rare in North America and differ from other mud volcanoes in that they mostly discharge carbon dioxide, rather than methane. Looking for more help planning your next adventure? Required fields are marked *. Jennifer is a long time national park blogger and the founder of National Park Obsessed. The difference in elevation between Wrangell - St. Elias’ lowest point on the shores of the Gulf of Alaska to its highest point at the peak of Mt. At 18,008 feet, Mount Saint Elias is the second tallest peak in the … For visitors on foot, the park has spectacular hiking trails, some of which follow routes that were first used by Alaska Natives centuries ago. Fortunately, there is a scenic trail following the historic Wagon Road from McCarthy to Kennecott, and the destination is well worth the hike! Wrangell has not erupted since 1900 — and shows no signs of erupting soon — visitors can see steam rising from its vents on winter days and cool summer mornings. Your email address will not be published. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In the midst of Wrangell - St. Elias’ beautiful natural landscape is the historic mining town of Kennecott, a community built around copper mining in the 20th century. Mt. National Park Obsessed assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site (NationalParkObsessed.com). Today, many of the lands and buildings in Kennecott are managed by the National Park Service, where visitors can engage with interpretive programs and tour the inside of the Kennecott Mill. I love the way you’ve compared the size of each national park to a small country. Within Wrangell - St. Elias National Park is the largest glacial system in the United States, covering nearly 35% of the park’s land. Mount Saint Elias, 18 008′ high,catches the last of the sun’s rays for the day, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska – aerial photo. Roughly 70% of the park is designated and managed as wilderness, giving visitors ample opportunity to find solitude. 14 million acres of wild, remote, gorgeous country. Once you get to the park, there are plenty of places to stay. Preliminary intra-annual isotope measurements of remnant spruce (Picea) fragments spanning early to late Holocene ages from the Copper River in the Wrangell-St. Elias region of south-central Alaska indicate differences but to fully realize the potential of this geologic archive more sample collections and analyses are needed. Image Source Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the 2nd largest National Park in the world or the 12th largest protected area in the world. What’s really special about Hubbard Glacier is that currently, while the vast majority of glaciers across North America are shrinking, Hubbard is actually growing. Pin to save for later: A break down of the US National Parks by Size, United States Virgin Islands National Parks. She is a dedicated National Park lover who is working on visiting all 62 US National Parks. The largest national park in the United States is the size of Maryland. At 76 miles long, seven miles wide, and 600 feet tall, Hubbard Glacier is North America’s largest tidewater glacier. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you could lift and move parks around, you could easily fit Yellowstone National Park (2.2 million acres), Shenandoah National Park (199,100 acres), Death Valley National Park (3.3 million acres), Everglades National Park (1.4 million acres), Isle Royale National Park (571,790 acres), and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (19,622 acres), inside Wrangell-St. Elias… Tour Outline. That is about 2% of the land area of the United States. Wrangell St. Elias National Park | A Designated World Heritage Site in Alaska and Canada ! Airplanes are also a great way to get around the park, and not just because they can cover long distances quickly — guided flights are a wonderful way to experience breathtaking aerial views of Wrangell - St. Elias’ diverse landscapes. Wrangell St Elias encompasses over 20,000 square miles of mountain wilderness – that’s over 50,000 square kilometers, or 25% larger than Switzerland! Additionally, Wrangell - St. Elias’s rivers and coastline allow for some of the park to be accessed by boat or raft. You are encouraged to conduct your own due diligence before acting on the information provided on this site and should not rely on the opinions expressed here. The Alaska, Chugach and Wrangell-Saint Elias ranges converge in what is referred to as the "mountain kingdom of North America." We work to create comprehensive guides to the national parks and lands. Though salmon are abundant in Wrangell - St. Elias, there are few opportunities to catch them within the park — the main river through which they migrate often contains a lot of silt, making it difficult to fish. Across this expansive landscape, visitors can find a wide variety of natural features including mountain peaks, glaciers, volcanoes, rivers and boreal forests. Wrangell - St. Elias is big and tall. The entire National Park System protects 132968.51 square miles or 85,099,844.97 acres of land. A complete break down of the US National Parks by Size. ), Wrangell-St. Elias is home to the continent’s most impressive list of superlatives. It is by far the largest of our national parks—almost six times the size of Yellowstone. St. Elias, at 18,008 feet (5.5km), is the second highest peak in the United States. Be sure to take the trek to the nearby glacier and behold it's breathtaking splendor! Size: 13,188,000 acres Even in a state famous for its size, Wrangell-St. Elias stands out. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! How many square miles of National Parks are in the US? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The National Parks come in all shapes and sizes. Wrangell - St. Elias’ lakes and streams still provide opportunities to catch other species, like northern pike, whitefish and several species of trout. It is by far the largest of our national parks - almost six times the size … It was updated in July 2018, November 2019 and August 2020. Enjoy all that the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve has to offer. Enjoying all the free National Park information and advice. Like many Alaskan National Parks, Wrangell-St. Elias is made of two National Park Service units. 84.9 million acres have been designated for national park land. What is the largest National Park in the US? Though Mt. It has been a learning adventure for everyone. Compare More Popular Hotels. Gateway Arch is made of 90.9 acres in downtown St. Louis, MO. St. Elias — the second highest peak in the country. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge of the Parks with others and helping them learn to love the parks as much as she does. It is truly astounding when one realizes that the national parks of the United States take up 52 million acres of the land area. It was fun figuring out which countries they were similar size to. It’s the largest National Park in the United States. Have you ever dreamed of an unspoiled wilderness with towering mountains and curving river valleys? Reaching Kennecott can be difficult, as no vehicles are permitted past the Kennicott River footbridge (that’s no typo — the river and the town are spelled differently! Get the latest deals for Wrangell cruises on Cruise Critic. Nine of the sixteen tallest peaks in the United States are there, … We believe that Wrangell-St. Elias offers the best scenery in all of Alaska and, combined with our competitive rates, is the best flightseeing opportunity in Alaska! In the summer, Wrangell - St. Elias’s abundant food sources make it a popular destination for migratory birds such as trumpeter swans, warblers and thrushes. The information contained in this site is provided with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. At 13.2 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park encompasses more than 15% of all US national park land! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Thanks for your interest, and thanks to our partners Bureau of Land Management and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. When talking to the park ranger, he thought he’d stump us by asking what the smallest national … Write a review. Wrangell-St. Elias is both a National Park and a National Preserve. This means that the vast majority of Wrangell - St. Elias National Park is best explored by other modes of transportation. You may want to visit the many shops and restaurants that McCarthy is well known for, and take a meander through the fascinating McCarthy museum. Not all of Wrangell - St. Elias is best explored by land, however. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. She has currently been to 53 of the National Parks. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is an 8,323,147 acre park located in Alaska. Find and plan your next cruise to Wrangell with cabin price comparison, variety of departure ports and dates to choose from. At 13.2 million acres, it is twice the size of Denali National Park and larger than the country of Switzerland. It was designated a World Heritage Site on the 24th of Oct 1979, and wilderness designated on the 2nd of Dec 1980. While the lava from igneous volcanoes like Mt. 88 species of fish swim in the park’s waters, including all five species of Pacific salmon that are native to Alaska. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The best places in the area to catch salmon are just west of the park’s border in the Klutina and Gulkana Rivers, where the water is clearer. ), which is nearly five miles away from the mill site. The park and preserve were established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. With over 13 million acres of federally protected land, Wrangell St. Elias is the largest park in the United States. It is not the smallest national park in the National Park System. There are many ways to see the park. Wrangell St Elias National Park and Preserve is America's Largest National Park located in Alaska USA. Our goal with this national park blog is to inspire your next national park visit. This massive National Park is 8,323,146.48 acres in size. A place where humans have lived for thousands of years? With its incredible natural landscape, diverse wildlife and rich human history, Wrangell - St. Elias really does have something for everyone.Â. All but one of these cabins are available free of charge, and just four require reservations — the other ten are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and many require a bush flight to get there. NPS treats both the Park and the Preserve as a single unit for management and staffing. McCarthy River Tours & Outfitters was founded in 2010 in the spirit of exploring the great rivers located in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. With several summits over 16,000 feet, mountaineering in Wrangell - St. Elias is unlike any climbing experience in the Lower 48. Write your review. Wrangell - St. Elias’s natural environment supports a diverse array of wildlife, including 54 species of mammals and 239 species of birds. The largest glaciers in North America are found in Wrangell - St. Elias. In the winter, only the toughest 34 species of birds remain, making their presence known with their songs and brilliant colors. All sales and percentage site revenue include a donation to help support the National Parks. Thanks. Wrangell—St. Share your best travel photo. In 1979, the United Nations designated Wrangell - St. Elias National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding universal value. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve, US (Alaska): 53,321 km sq Views of Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve. The park’s coastal areas are home to several marine mammals including harbor seals, sea otters and a threatened population of the Steller sea lion. Every purchase includes a donation to the national parks and helps keep National Park Obsessed’s website free to use and producing more national park guides. Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve is 4.85 million acres and the combined unit of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is 13,175,799 acres. We hope you use our website to enhance your National Park adventures and provide a place to share your national park story through our website and social media accounts. In fact, the park's highest point, Mount St. Elias… Four major mountain ranges converge in Wrangell - St. Elias: the Wrangell, St. Elias, Chugach and the eastern part of the Alaskan Range. Sanford, Mt. Read the full disclosure policy here. Like many Alaskan National Parks, Wrangell-St. Elias is made of two National Park Service units. Looking directly down upon an unnamed peak, in the Saint Elias mountain range, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska – aerial photo. With a staggering 13.2 million acres of wilderness, it is the largest park in the park system that, combined with the adjoining Kluane National Park in Canada, protects nearly … Death Valley National Park is the largest National Park in the contiguous United States. Resources found in the park were important to the Allies’ victory in WWI. St. Elias is enormous — over 18,000 feet! Wrangell - St. Elias’ lakes, streams and rivers are popular destinations for sport fishing. Wrangell can reach temperatures of over 2,000°F, the temperatures of Wrangell - St. Elias’ mud volcanoes — called Upper Klawasi, Lower Klawasi, and Shrub — range from just 70°F to 100°F. This trip starts in Anchorage and we depart early for the scenic drive to Wrangell – St. Elias National Park. Check out a … Let the world see your hotel experience through your eyes. It puts things into perspective when you realise that the Grand Canyon National Park is the size of Trinidad and Tobago! In 1978 President Jimmy Carter designated Wrangell-St … Spanning over 2,000 square miles, the Wrangell Volcanic Field includes one of the world’s largest active volcanoes by volume. 26 McCarthy Road, McCarthy, Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve, AK 99566. Wrangell, at 14,163 feet (4.3km), is one of the largest active volcanoes in North America. 660 Million times the size of the smallest national park unit, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska encompasses 13.2 million acres, including some of the highest mountains and largest glaciers in the United States. Wrangell St. Elias NP is more than twice the size of Massachusetts. Though the first train full of copper left the Kennecott mill in 1911, the history of copper in Wrangell - St. Elias goes back much further, as Alaska Native groups such as the Ahtna traded and fashioned tools from copper long before European settlers arrived in Kennecott. Since there’s very little road system in this expansive land of beauty, consider flying with us! This is the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias, which when combined with Canada's neighboring Kluane National Park forms the largest stretch of wild country on earth, 24 million acres of raging rivers, … What a great idea! Many of the United States’ highest peaks can be found in the park, including Mt. The 62 National Parks of the US protect 81,423.43 square miles or 52,110,996.53 acres of land. Learn how your comment data is processed. A national park that ranges from sea level to above 18,000 feet, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is one of the National Park System’s wilderness wonderlands. In addition to being America's largest national park (larger than Rhode Island and Vermont combined! Although Wrangell-St. Elias may be the largest protected area in the USA; it is poorly visited throughout the year in comparison to other parks. Check out some fun facts about this epic park and start planning your visit today. This … Build­ing them was a big job. For example, during the year of 2012 the area was visited by 87,158 visitors, a number much smaller than the millions of visitors “attacking” the other preserves every year. What was your hotel experience like? Wrangell-St. Elias National Park was established as a national park and preserve on 02 Dec 1980. Elias National Park and Preserve is an American national park and preserve managed by the National Park Service in south central Alaska. Because Wrangell - St. Elias is so large and has so much to see and do, visitors can always return for new and exciting adventures. For 27 years, we’ve flown v T-Shirt - Wrangell St. Elias - Long-sleeve Rating * Select Rating 1 star (worst) 2 stars 3 stars (average) 4 stars 5 stars (best) Name Things to do at this bucket list destination include adventure, photography, hiking, wildlife viewing and exploring the Kennecott Copper Mill which is a designated National Historic Landmark and on the National … Most park visitors do not differentiate these duel units as two units and when they visit one unit of the park, they count that visit as a visit to both units. There is an inherent risk in all outdoor recreation activities, the reader assumes all responsibility for their own personal safety. Wrangell-St. Elias is both a National Park and a National Preserve. The long drive to get to the park is an adventure itself. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Illustration by Jason Chapman. Compare Alaska Car Rental Companies Railroad vs Car Rental ... Build­ing them was a big job. Wrangell - St. Elias shares something in common with the Great Wall of China, the Statue of Liberty, and the Sydney Opera House. When viewing all these amazing animals, please remember — they are wild, so respect their habitat and keep your distance! National Park Shirts, Poster, and other gear, National Park Obsessed Facebook Group here, Frequently Asked Questions about National Park Size. While the smallest is 9 times smaller than Central Park in New York City, New York. During WWI, much of the copper mined and processed in Kennecott was used for ammunition and artillery. Bison and beavers and bears, oh my! In Alaska, Adventure is the name of the game! This flightseeing tour presents some of the unique features found in the Wrangell … Making it the largest National Park in the United States. National Park Obsessed is your guide to the national parks. The Gilahi­na Tres­tle is visu­al con­fir­ma­tion of the size of job it was, stand­ing 80 – 90 feet high and 880 … Blackburn, and Mt. Established as a National Park in 1980, the area was proclaimed a World Heritage Site in 1979. U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240. feedback@ios.doi.gov, Stewarding Conservation and Powering Our Future, about 10 Public Lands with Powerful Native American Connections, about Enjoy Your Next E-bike Trip on Public Lands, Toggle Dyslexia-friendly black-on-creme color scheme, Secretarial Schedules (July 2018-July 2019), 10 Public Lands with Powerful Native American Connections, Enjoy Your Next E-bike Trip on Public Lands, ICYMI: Trump Administration has honored Native cultures, Integrity of Scientific & Scholarly Activities, Policy Library: Departmental Manual, HR, Secretary's Orders, Wildland Fire Management. Death Valley National Park is 3,373,063.14 acres in size. Stretching across Alaska’s southeast corner, Wrangell - St. Elias National Park & Preserve offers visitors a truly wild experience. For information on places to fish around Wrangell - St. Elias, browse this guidebook or stop by a visitor center. The park had been proclaimed as Wrangell-St. Elias National Monument on 01 Dec 1978. Though the air temperature … This massive National Park is 8,323,146.48 acres in size. Bona, Mt. Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve has reported the first deadly encounter with a grizzly bear since the park was established 40 years ago. Wrangell St. Elias National Park is nearly six times larger than Yellowstone National park. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Wrangell-St. Elias became a national park in 1980. Exploring the world, one national park at a time. What is the largest National Park in the lower 48 states? Thaddeus Kosciuszko is 0.02 acres. While Gateway Arch is the smallest of the NPS units bearing the title National Park. This park includes much of the Saint Elias Mountains within its border, known for having some of North America's highest peaks. Here is a break down of the US National Parks by Size: Help support this site by purchasing one of our National Park Shirts, Poster, and other gear. For visitors who like their horsepower, snowmobiles and certain off-road vehicles are permitted in the park. Here are the national parks from largest to smallest. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the biggest National Park in the US. These cookies do not store any personal information. Join the National Park Obsessed Facebook Group here to connect other national park lovers, trade advice, or see inspiring photos of the National Parks? Which U.S. National Park is the smallest in size? Support National Park Obsessed by purchasing from our shop and show your support of our parks. Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve is a National Park right here in America, and it's bigger than Switzerland--but almost no one knows about this massive area in the Alaskan wilderness. The protected areas are included in an International Biosphere Reserve and are part of the Kluane/Wrangell–St. Nine of the 16 highest peaks in the United States. Your email address will not be published. Though the air temperature in Wrangell - St. Elias seldom breaks 70°F, this park is still hot in terms of geothermal activity. Skip Navigation Share on Facebook In the winter, visitors can traverse these trails on snowshoes or cross country skis. Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatshenshini-Alsek UNESCO World … 25 Amazing Grand Canyon Airbnbs: Best Options Near the South and North Rims. Mt. Though the sheer size and number of activities available to visitors of Wrangell - St. Elias may be overwhelming, don’t worry! Many of these cabins were built by hunters, trappers or miners long ago, but have since come under the National Park Service’s administration. Within this wild landscape, people continue to live off the land as they have done … Com­ing around the cor­ner after mile­post 28, you can’t help but notice the Gilahi­na Tres­tle.There are 85 + miles of bridges and tres­tles with­in the 196 miles of rail between Cor­do­va and Ken­ni­cott. Wrangell St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the United States – around six times the size of Yellowstone National Park – and rises from sea level up to 18,008 feet at the peak of Mount St … UNESCO’s designation is not limited to Wrangell - St. Elias, however — the full area covered by this designation includes Glacier Bay National Park and two of Canada’s parks, Kluane National Park and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park. The geography of the region is astounding, with four distinct mountain ranges: the Alaska, Chugach, Wrangell, and St. Elias Mountains. Just remember, in the wilderness, one must be resourceful and adaptable — visitors planning to stay in one of these cabins should bring camping gear with them, just in case the cabin they plan on staying in is already occupied. When combined with the preserve, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve encompass a total of more than 13.17 million acres.