Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve

Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark is found within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This early 1900's copper mining operation overcame numerous challenges and found success in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness.
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! Within this wild landscape, people continue to live off the land as they have done for centuries. This rugged, beautiful land is filled with opportunities for adventure.
Map showing location of park.
Subsistence Fishing Permits Available for Upper Copper River Residents
Federal subsistence fishing in the Upper Copper River District will open on May 15. This fishing permit allows eligible rural residents to fish for salmon and other fish to feed themselves and their families under federal subsistence regulations. It is not a sport fishing permit or commercial fishing permit.
Copper Center Visitor Center Campus with two building and flag pole pictured
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Announces 2026 Summer Visitor Center Hours
National Park Service officials at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve have announced visitor center operating hours for the summer 2026 season.
Copper River School District Students, National Park Service staff, and partners at Copper Center bluff overlook with the Wrangell Mountains in the Background on a sunny day.
Wrangell-St. Elias Hosts Middle School Students for “Chosen Frozen” Event
Copper River School District Students, National Park Service staff, and partners at Copper Center. Image Credit: NPS
National Park Service Plans Spring Pile Burning Operations
The National Park Service will initiate small, prescribed fires (burning piles of cut material), beginning on Saturday, April 4 for about a week at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve as weather and site conditions allow.  
Limited Commercial Use Authorization Opportunity
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is accepting Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) applications to provide event services for the Kennecott Recreation Hall in the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark.
Glaciers loom over the ocean with large snowy mountains rising into blue skies
Photo by NPS Photo/ Neal Herbert
Two backpackers sitting in an alpine meadow with snowy mountains in the background
Photo by NPS Photo/ Bryan Petrtyl
Historic, large, red buildings with mountains in the background
Photo by NPS Photo/ Matthew Yarbrough
A large glacier with stripes of different colored rock nestled in between barren mountain slopes.
Photo by NPS Photo/ Bryan Petrtyl
Four large snow covered mountains rise above dense forest into blue skies.
Photo by NPS Photo/ Bryan Petrtyl
Copper Center Visitor Center
Photo by National Park Service
Slana Ranger Station
Photo by National Park Service
Chitina Ranger Station
Photo by National Park Service
Kennecott Visitor Center in the historic Blackburn School
Photo by National Park Service
Yakutat coastal area
Photo by National Park Service