Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve spans over 13 million acres in southeastern Alaska, making it the largest national park in the United States. It features a diverse landscape of glaciers, volcanoes, and expansive wilderness. The park is home to nine of the 16 highest peaks in the U.S., including Mount St. Elias, which stands at 18,008 feet. Historically, the area is significant for its indigenous cultures and its history in copper mining, evident in the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark. Visitors can engage in activities such as hiking, ice climbing, rafting, and wildlife viewing. The park’s remote nature ensures an authentic backcountry experience, offering solitude and the chance to observe wildlife like brown bears, caribou, and mountain goats. Its vastness and variety of ecosystems draw adventurers and researchers alike, offering insight into geological and ecological processes.
