Alaska attracts visitors from all over the world who come to see and experience the diversity and vastness of our magnificent state

You must see the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve to believe it. The largest U.S. national park, it is 13.2 million acres in size. Four major mountain ranges (Wrangell, Chugach, St. Elias, and Alaska) meet in the park. It includes 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the United States. Mount Wrangell is an active volcano, which last erupted in 1900. With the adjourning Kluane National Park in Canada, all these ranges form the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. North America's premier mountain wilderness, it was established as a national park and preserve in 1980.

From the many glaciers of the park, there are meandering rivers and braided streams, and the largest is the Copper River. Home to the famous Copper River Red Salmon, it forms the park's western boundary. The Copper River rises in the Wrangell Mountains and empties into the Gulf of Alaska.

While vast in size, there are only two unpaved roads which penetrate the park's interior. They are the McCarthy Road and the Nabesna Road. The McCarthy Road extends 61 miles from Chitina to the Kennicott River. It is west of McCarthy, along the old Copper River and Northwestern Railroad route (see McCarthy/Kennicott for history). The Nabesna Road is accessed from Slana on the Tok Road Cutoff.

Leaving from Glennallen, you begin your memorable 125 mile ride. You will travel through historic Copper Center and the farming community of Kenny Lake. From Chitina, you will see the Copper River bridge, home of the famous Copper River Red Salmon, and fishwheels turning.

You will follow the path of the Copper River & Northwestern Railway, nicknamed Can't Run and Never Will. You will stop at the Kuskulana River, which is a 525' steel bridge built in 1911 that spans a 283 ft. gorge, and at the Gilahina River railroad wooden trestle. The last 60 miles are along a narrow gravel road, atop the old railway bed, into the Wrangell St. Elias National Park.

The tour does pick up at hotels, campgrounds, RV parks in the Copper River Valley. You can also acquire transportation to and from the Kennicott River footbridge, these tickets are sold in Kennicott and McCarthy.

Tour Shuttle Schedule
Glennallen - McCarthy		McCarthy - Glennallen
7:00 AM	Depart Glennallen	4:00 PM	Depart McCarthy
8:00 AM	Depart Kenny Lake	6:30 PM	Depart Dixie Pass
8:30 AM	Depart Chitina	7:00 PM	Arrive Chitina
9:00 AM	Arrive Dixie Pass	7:30 PM	Arrive Kenny Lake
11:30 AM	Arrive McCarthy	8:00 PM	Arrive Glennallen
Times are approximate and will vary with road conditions.

Tour Prices
Tour	Adult	Children (6 -12 Yrs)	Times
Departing from Glennallen or Copper Center:
Round-trip	$109	$109
One-way	$79	$79
Departing from Kenny Lake or Chitina:
Round-trip	$99	$99
One-way	$69	$69
Call for pricing to Dixie Pass
ROUND TRIP DIFFERENT DAY CHARGE $10.00

Backcountry Drive