Kluane / Wrangell – St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek

This protected area network comprises four linked parks spanning millions of acres filled with towering peaks and massive glaciers representing the largest concentration of such features in North America. The regions connect to form a continuous wilderness landscape.

European explorers reached this region only in the eighteenth century, arriving thousands of years after indigenous settlement had already flourished. Industrial development followed later with mining operations that significantly shaped parts of the landscape.

The Tlingit and other indigenous groups shaped this landscape through thousands of years of habitation, leaving traces visible in settlements and place names throughout the region. Visitors walking through these areas encounter reminders of this long human presence.

Access to these four parks involves boating, small aircraft, or hiking across remote terrain, with most travel happening during summer months when weather permits. Planning ahead is essential since the regions are far from major towns and services are scattered.

The network hosts hundreds of glaciers on a central plateau, some ranking among the longest ice fields outside the polar regions. These frozen landscapes shift and change visibly over time, offering visitors a look at geological processes seen in few other places worldwide.

Location: Alaska

Location: Yukon

Location: British Columbia

GPS coordinates: 61.19750,-140.99200

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03