America's largest national park, Wrangell–St. Elias National Park in southeastern Alaska, is heaven for wildlife enthusiasts. Snowy mountain peaks add to the surreal beauty of the landscape. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park offers you the rare opportunity to witness the vast wildlife of Alaska and historical mining sites. The St. Elias mountain range rising from the Gulf of Alaska and the volcanic Mount Wrangell are two central attractions of this enormous national park.
Be it hiking the mountains, skiing in the glaciers, or sailing across the river, there remains a sense of wonder in every corner of the park. If you are an explorer at heart, the endless beauty of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park will mesmerize you with its captivating nature. This guide contains all the necessary tips you need to know, from planning fun activities to booking travel insurance plans.
Before you leave for Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, make sure that you buy a visitors medical insurance plan to fortify your budget against potentially expensive accidents, illnesses, injuries, or mishaps.
Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers In Wrangell–St. Elias National Park - FAQs
Dealing with a medical emergency is probably the last thing on your mind as you plan your trip. However, you should hope for the best and prepare for the worst while traveling. By booking a visitors medical insurance plan, you can protect yourself against the financial consequences of unexpected injuries, illnesses, or accidents.
Why buy visitors medical insurance before traveling to Wrangell–St. Elias National Park?
Visiting a national park means losing yourself in the wilderness for a couple of days. In the wild, anything can happen, especially when you are engaging in adventurous activities. A private hospital can charge you tens of thousands of dollars to treat an illness or injury. To make sure that you can seek the best treatment possible without emptying your pockets, buy a visitors medical insurance plan.
What should I look for in my Wrangell–St. Elias National Park visitors medical insurance?
Here are some benefits to look for in your visitors medical insurance plan:
- If you're participating in any adventurous sports activities like skiing or mountaineering, you may need to purchase an additional hazardous sports travel insurance rider designed to cover such riskier-than-normal activities.
- Coverage for emergency medical expenses
- PPO Network participation
- Coverage for an incident of acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- Repatriation or emergency evacuation coverage. This is especially important in a remote area like Wrangell–St. Elias National Park.
A private medical facility might cost you a fortune for treatment. Make sure that you buy a visitors medical insurance plan to safeguard your finances against the cost of healthcare in the U.S.
Wrangell–St. Elias National Park's Most Popular Things to Do
Discover the Copper Center
The Copper Center can easily be the starting point for your trip. Here, you can chalk out an appropriate plan for your daily activities in the park. You will get to know the park's history and see the small-scale fish wheel that was used by indigenous people for catching the famous Copper River Salmon.
Go to the Liberty Falls
The hiking trail to Liberty Falls has rich flora and fauna that will double the adventure of your hike. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources takes care of the falls area. You can also have a picnic with your family and friends or enjoy camping in this area.
Visit the Picturesque Towns of Kennecott and McCarthy
Take a bus shuttle from the information center to reach the picturesque towns of Kennecott and McCarthy. Kennecott is included in the National Register of Historic Places, as you can observe early 20th-century mining sites here. The town is a great spot to spend some time hiking and eating local food.
Go on a Flightseeing Tour
A flightseeing tour will help you get to the center of the massive Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. You can get a spectacular bird's-eye view of the glaciers, mountain peaks, and wilderness of the national park on this tour.
Eat Delicious Food at Gilpatrick's Hotel Chitina
Are you a foodie who likes to taste a variety of food items? Then Gilpatrick's Hotel Chitina can serve you multi-course meals including salmon, steaks, and crabmeat. The vibrant and welcoming environment of the hotel is ideal for tourists. You can also grab some beer to drink on your hiking trail.
Key Guidelines for Travelers In Wrangell–St. Elias National Park
Maintain Your Distance from Wild Animals
The diverse wildlife of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park surely attracts thousands of visitors every year. However, getting too close to the wild animals may prove to be dangerous for the safety of you and your travel companions.
Carry Proper Equipment
Carrying proper equipment is crucial for your visit to the national park. Even if your trip is during summer, you should try to carry winter garments. You can use garbage bags or dry bags to prevent your sleeping bags from getting wet. Carry extra food and a sufficient amount of clothing.
Be Careful of River Crossings
The river crossings in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park are challenging and can be quite dangerous. Some rivers are almost impossible to cross because of the unpredictable nature of the current. Therefore, you can get some training about river crossing methods or take the help of online resources for safe crossing of the rivers.
Suitable Time to Visit
The most opportune time to visit Wrangell–St. Elias National Park depends on your planned activity. However, May is the most popular to visit this park for mountaineering and backcountry trips. From June to September, you can also have a pleasant travel experience based on the weather. The extreme winter months may not be suitable for all kinds of travelers.
Before You Travel to Wrangell–St. Elias National Park - Do This
Before you set out for Alaska, consider the following suggestions.
- Carry a satellite phone so that you can call for help even if there is no network coverage on your phone.
- Wear layers of clothing so that you are comfortable even if the temperature rises or falls suddenly.