You’ve come a long way to get here, and have finally arrived at your destination: The Copper River Basin and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. But now what? Now that you’re here, how do you spend your time? This area offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Here are some suggestions to consider:

One Day
Begin any park adventure by heading to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Headquarters Visitor Center. This new facility is located along the Richardson Highway at mile 106 (10 miles south of Glennallen). View the park movie in the theater, enjoy the exhibits, stroll the short nature trail to a spectacular view of the Wrangell Mountains, check out the bookstore, and get oriented with the large 3-D interactive map display. Park rangers are on duty to help you discover the park and surrounding area.

For spectacular views, drive the Edgerton Highway to the historic town of Chitina (55 miles). Along the way, stretch your legs on the Liberty Falls Trail and enjoy a panorama of the park’s high peaks. After exploring Chitina, continue to the bridge over the mighty Copper River where in summer you can watch busy Alaskans harvesting salmon with traditional fishwheels and dipnets.

Three Days
With more time to spend, you can explore the major roads more thoroughly and still have time for some hiking. A drive along the Nabesna Road will take you to remote corners of the park with great camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. A trip along the McCarthy Road allows for leisurely explorations of a rural Alaskan town, and the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark. An easy hike along the Root Glacier Trail brings you up close and personal with the area’s rich history, and the mighty river of ice. More strenuous hikes lead to the mountainside Bonanza and Jumbo Mines. Join a local guide/outfitter service for glacier hikes, mill building tours, river float trips, and even flightseeing excursions.

One Week
With a week or more to spend, the whole park is open to you. You will have time to enjoy all of the above, but also to visit more remote locations. The backcountry of Wrangell-St. Elias is some of the world’s most spectacular wilderness. A short flight on an air taxi from Glennallen, Chitina, Nabesna, or McCarthy can transport you into the heart of the park, where hiking and camping possibilities are virtually endless. Stop by any park visitor center to discuss potential trips with a park ranger.