Activities in Wrangell–St Elias National Park
-
Bonanza Mine Trail
Another excellent hike from Kennecott is the alpine Bonanza Mine Trail. It's a round-trip of almost 8 miles and a steep uphill walk all the way. Plan on three to five hours to hike up if the weather is good and half that time to return. The trail is actually a rough dirt road to the tree line and starts just north of town at a junction that makes a sharp 180-degree turn up the mountain.
Once above the tree line the view is stunning, and you can clearly see the mountain where the mine still sits. To reach the mine you have to trek up a rocky slope to the remaining bunkhouse, shafts and tram platform. Water is available at the top, but carry at least a quart (1 liter) if th…
reviewed
-
Root Glacier Trail
Beginning from Kennicott Glacier Lodge, the Root Glacier Trail is a 3-mile round-trip route past the mine ruins to the sparkling white-and-blue ice. Hike northwest of town and continue past an unmarked junction to Bonanza Mine, less than a quarter mile away. Along the way you cross Jumbo Creek; a plank upstream makes fording this creek easy in normal water conditions.
Another half mile further on campsites overlook the end of Root Glacier; nearby you'll find an outhouse and a storage bin (to keep bears out of your food).
reviewed
-
Silver Lake Campground
Silver Lake Campground is a commercial facility with sites, canoe rentals for Silver Lake, and other limited services - gas not being one of them. At Mile 14.5 you'll reach the access road to the trailheads for the Dixie Pass, Nugget and Kotsina Trails, across from the Strelna airstrip.
reviewed
-
McCarthy Air Flightseeing
If the day is clear, splurge on a flightseeing tour of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Both McCarthy Air Flightseeing and Wrangell Mountain Air, with offices on McCarthy's main drag have a fantastic reputation, offering a wide range of scenic flights.
reviewed
-
Wrangell Mountain Air Flightseeing
If the day is clear, splurge on a flightseeing tour of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Both McCarthy Air and Wrangell Mountain Air Flightseeing, with offices on McCarthy's main drag have a fantastic reputation, offering a wide range of scenic flights.
reviewed
-
Kennicott Wilderness Guides
Offerings include full-day ice-climbing excursions, overnight stays on the Root Glacier and fly-in day-trips to the remarkable Donoho Lake area.
reviewed
-
St Elias Alpine Guides
St Elias Alpine Guides offers historical walking tours of Kennecott ($25) and a half-day hike on Root Glacier ($65)
reviewed
-
Copper Oar
Copper Oar has a full-day whitewater raft trip that ends with a bush plane flight ($275).
reviewed
