Flight Tours in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Welcome to “Alaska’s Mountain Kingdom”
Photo by local photographer and adventurer Luke McKinney.
Sightsee with a Flightsee
Guests cannot grasp the scale and grandeur of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park until they fly above it in a small aircraft. Soaring mountain peaks, massive glaciers, and mighty glacially-fed rivers seem to go on forever. We believe that Wrangell-St. Elias offers the best scenery in all of Alaska and, combined with our competitive rates, is the best flightseeing opportunity in Alaska!
Please note, that all flightsees originate from and return to McCarthy, and there is a two person minimum when booking; single persons may join with other scheduled flightsee groups. Please email our office to check availability.
Illustration by Jason Chapman.
Mile High Cliff Tour
50 minute - $320/person
This flightseeing tour presents some of the unique features found in the Wrangell Mountains. Hear your pilot explain the geology of a rock glacier, the Mile High Cliffs and the iceberg-filled lake found at the toe of the Nizina Glacier. Next comes Chimney Mountain, the massive Rohn Glacier, soaring Mt. Regal, and the 16,000’ peaks of the University Range. Finally, back in our home valley comes Mount Blackburn, the Stairway Icefall, Erie Mine clinging to the mountainside, the tiny hikers and ice-climbers on the Root Glacier, and the quaint towns of Kennecott and McCarthy.
“Our pilot was awesome putting names of mountains and glaciers onto the actual topography, and pointing out remnants of historical buildings from the early 1900’s... [our pilot] also spotted a pair of Trumpeter Swans for me, little white dots from way up high, because he knew I birdwatch... my husband spotted a BEAR. It was heavenly! For the first time in years my gregarious husband was without words!... This trip is worth every penny! It’s the best way to get your head around the grandeur of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. I hope I get the chance to do it again.”
Thirteen Glacier Tour
70 minute - $390/person
This impressive route begins with sightings of the Nizina Bridge ruins (1920’s) and the massive Sourdough Rock Glacier. Continuing north, the Chitistone Canyon and Mile High Cliffs come into view and you study the undulating rock formations and may glimpse Dall sheep. The Twaharpies Glacier tumbles off the University Range and the Wrangell Mountains stand tall and erect. The Russell Glacier and Mt. Bona dominate the view. The “Grand Finale” includes Skolai Valley, the lovely Seven Sisters, the picturesque Hole-in-the-Wall Glacier, hanging glaciers on the Finn, the spectacular joining of the Rohn and Regal Glaciers, and Mt. Regal. But wait! There’s an encore: the Stairway Icefall, glimpses of the Gates Glacier and close-up views of Mt. Blackburn and Erie Mine!
“We did a 70 minute scenic flight that was AMAZING. It was probably the best tour we did during our more than 3 weeks in Alaska, and that’s saying something. We were blessed with spectacular weather, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. A must do!!”
Bagley - University Range Tour
90 minute - $430/person
Our most popular flightseeing tour has two different routes available; Bagley Icefield -or- University Range. Each route portrays the full majesty of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: some of the tallest mountains and largest glaciers in North America, a variety of stunning land forms, lush valleys, and resident wildlife. For those who choose the Bagley Icefield route, they’ll fly over one of the largest subarctic icefields in the world! Keep in mind that weather sometimes dictates which tour may be the best, so the ultimate route may be selected by your pilot; you will not be disappointed in this experience!
“This was absolutely phenomenal! Incredible views of expansive Wrangell-St. Elias National Park - the largest national park in the country that you’ve probably never heard of. What a spectacular way to see this magnificent, pristine area. [Our pilot] is so knowledgeable and experienced. He really made the trip so memorable for us, as did the incredible weather we were lucky to have. If you have a chance to book a flightseeing trip with Wrangell Mountain Air, just do it. It really was the highlight of our 2-week trip to Alaska!”
Jewels of the Wrangells Tour
120 minute - $520/person
Guests who want it all choose to spend two hours exploring the full beauty of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. At 13.2 million acres, the park can astound even the most experienced of fliers. Want to see a snow-covered volcano? An 18,000’+ peak rising out of the ocean? Want to see glaciers spilling into the turqoise waters of Icy Bay? This is your chance! The Jewels of the Wrangells Tour explores the Chugach Mountains, University Range, Bagley Icefield, and on a clear day, Icy Bay. Your pilot will choose the best route based on weather conditions, but no matter where you look, the view is full of majestic tall peaks, cascading waterfalls and massive glaciers.
“The views were absolutely amazing! Our pilot did a wonderful job and we saw a full-circle rainbow, one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in my entire life!”
Are you interested in a 2.5 hour custom tour? Do you want to see a site or follow a route not listed on our website? Or are you hoping to maximize your options for taking professional photos? Reach out to our office by email or phone, and we’re happy to work with you to help make your flightseeing dreams come true!
360° Flightsee of the Kennicott Valley and Beyond
Need a little more of a preview before booking? Put on your VR goggles or just click and drag on the screen throughout the video to see sights in every direction! Using your phone or tablet, use the Vimeo app and move the device around to gain different perspectives.
Reservations
Full payment is required for each reservation. You will receive a confirmation letter via e-mail after your payment has been received. Reservations made through our online portal will receive a payment request which must be met within 3 days to maintain confirmed status.
All flights include ground transportation from the McCarthy airstrip to and from your accommodations in Kennicott or McCarthy, or to and from the footbridge if your accommodations are located on the westside of the Kennicott River. Wrangell Mountain Air does not provide scheduled transportation to and from Kennicott.
Weight Considerations
If a passenger weight exceeds 300lbs and/or the average body weight of a party of two or more people exceeds 250lbs, an additional seat must be purchased. Children under 2 years fly free in the lap of an adult.
Cancellation Policy
All flights cancelled by Wrangell Mountain Air due to weather will receive a full refund. Cancellations received up until 24 hours prior to a flight result in a 10% cancellation fee of total flight cost. No refunds will be issued for a cancellation made within 24 hours of the flight.
Fuel Surcharge
Due to the fluctuating cost of fuel recently, all flights may be subject to a fuel surcharge.