Wrangell – Saint Elias Wilderness

This wilderness in south-central Alaska covers vast expanses of glaciers, mountains, and deep valleys in a mostly untouched landscape. Elevation ranges from sea level to the highest peaks in the region, creating dramatically different environments across the terrain.

This area received protection as a designated wilderness in 1980 through federal legislation, becoming one of the largest legally protected wild areas in the country. That decision changed how the region would be managed and preserved.

Local indigenous communities have lived here for thousands of years and continue to practice their traditional ways of hunting and gathering. You can find signs of their presence throughout the landscape and in how they relate to the natural world.

Access comes through two main roads or by charter aircraft to more remote areas, and you should prepare for extreme weather and difficult terrain. Planning carefully is important since conditions here are harsh and change quickly.

This area contains the highest concentration of glaciers and active volcanoes on the North American continent. This rare combination of features makes the location geologically remarkable and found nowhere else in such density.