Established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is a United States National Park in southern Alaska. The park area is included in an International Biosphere Reserve and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the largest national park in the United States, covering an area of 20,587 mi² (53,321 km²). It includes the second-highest peak in the country, Mount Saint Elias, at 18,008 feet (5489 meters). It borders on Canada's Kluane National Park and Reserve.
The park is accessible by highway from Anchorage; two rough gravel roads wind through the park, making much of the interior accessible for backcountry camping and hiking. Chartered aircraft also fly into the park. Wrangell-St. Elias received roughly 43,000 visitors in 2003 and is quickly gaining popularity through its combination of size, remoteness, and accessibility.
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