by Lisa Miller: When it comes to U.S. national parks, everyone knows about Yellowstone and Yosemite… But we bet you’ve never heard of the national park that’s larger than a major European country.
Meet Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. This vast, gorgeous national park in Alaska is the largest in the country. It clocks in at 13.2 million acres… making it larger than Switzerland. The park stretches from Mount St. Elias, one of the tallest peaks in America, to the Gulf of Alaska and offers glaciers, caves, lakes, mountains and, well, pretty much every natural wonder you could dream up. An array of flora and fauna populate the park, and if you’re into snow, well this place has plenty of that.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the perfect place for a rugged, outdoor adventure. To access the park, you’ll likely fly to Anchorage or Fairbanks and make the approximately five-hour drive from either city to the park. Prime time to visit is early June through mid-September.
Once in the park, there’s plenty to do and see. Follow the Nabesna Road to hiking, camping, wildlife watching, fishing and more. Or takeMcCarthy Road and pay a visit to Kennecott, a historic copper mining town. The park’s rural backcountry offers unparalleled hiking, river rafting, mountain biking and more.
Check out photos of Wrangell-St. Elias below.
