ALASKA
Denali National Park and Preserve
Denali is located in central Alaska and is home to Mt. McKinley (20,320 feet), the highest mountain in North America. Mt. McKinley sits among several impressive mountains and is the centerpiece of the Alaska Range. Add to that many large glaciers, abundant wildlife and you have a great place to visit and ride.
DNP&P General Information
All lands within the former Mt. McKinley National Park, on both sides of the Alaska Range, are closed to snowmobile use.
Intentionally disturbing or frighte ing wildlife is prohibited.
Operating a snowmobile that makes excessive noise is prohibited.
Operating a snowmobile without a headlight and red taillight a half-hour before and after sunrise/sunset or when persons and vehicles are not clearly visible for 500 feet is prohibited.
The speed limit is 45 mph.
Snowmobile operators must be at least 16 years old unless accompanied by an adult 21 years old or older.
Denali National Park and Preserve
Elevation 1,200-20,320 (Mt. McKinley)
Snowfall 90-100 inches
Groomed Trails None
Location Central Alaska
Closest Trail System None
National Park Established 1980
Size 6,075,028 acres
Full-Service Town Cantwell
Nearest Airport Fairbanks (130 miles)
Information Denali National Park and
Preserve (907) 683-2294 or www.nps.gov/dena
Lake Clark Park National Park and Preserve
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is an isolated wonder located in southern Alaska across the Cook Inlet from the Kenai Peninsula. There is no highway access, therefore airplane access is the most practical option. An airport is located in Iliamna, about 30 miles from the park.
Once inside the park the visitor will have the opportunity to enjoy more than 4 million acres of beauty. The park is home to several mountain ranges including the Chigmit, Alaska and Aleutian. The park is also known for its seismic activity as there are two active volcanoes, Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Iliamna, within the borders.
Snowmobiling within the park is not limited to trails. In fact, there are no trails or roads to follow within the park.
LCNP&P General Information
Snowmobiling is only allowed when there is adequate snow cover.
This is extreme backcountry riding so snowmobilers should be prepared for the elements and carry adequate supplies.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
Elevation 254 (Lake Clark)-10,016 (Iliamna Volcano)
Snowfall 100 inches
Groomed Trails None
Location Southern Alaska
Entrance Fee None
Closest Trail System None
National Park Established 1980
Size 4,030,058 acres
Full-Service Town Iliamna
Nearest Airport Iliamna (30 miles)
Information Lake Clark National Park
and Preserve (907) 781-2218 or
www.nps.gov/lacl
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park And Preserve
The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest national park in the United States and is located in southeastern Alaska, along the border with Canada. The park spans more than 13 million acres and is home to three mountain ranges, including the Chugach, the Wrangell and the St. Elias.
The park/preserve includes the greatest concentration of glaciers and the greatest number of peaks above 16,000 feet, including St. Elias (18,008 feet), the second highest peak in the United States. Many of the peaks in the park's mountains were once active volcanoes. Today, the only active volcano is Mt. Wrangell (14,163 feet), located near the center of the upper portion of the park. According to park sources, in the winter and on cool summer mornings, it's not unusual to see a steam plume rising up out of the vents situated in the craters along the margin of the summit caldera. The park also reports that permanent snow and ice cover 50 percent of the land.
There are no groomed trails but there is plenty of snow in the mountains, valleys and drainages to keep sledders busy for days. There are two roads passing through the park which provide a riding guide for snowmobilers in the winter. One road extends 42 miles and the other extends about 60 miles into the interior. There are few restrictions on snowmobiles in the winter, except sledders should use common sense like not harassing wildlife and don't ruin the vegetation.
One cool option for sledders riding in Wrangell-St. Elias is to overnight at one of the many cabins available for public use. Contact the park for more information on these cabins.
WSNP&P General Information
Snowmobiling is only allowed when there is adequate snow cover.
This is extreme backcountry riding so snowmobilers should be prepared for the elements and carry adequate supplies.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Elevation Sea level (south end of the park/preserve)-18,008
(Mt. St. Elias)
Snowfall 50-200 plus inches
Groomed Trails None
Location Southeast Alaska
Entrance Fee None
Closest Trail System None
National Park Established 1980
Size 13,175,901 acres
Full-Service Town Glennallen
Nearest Airport Anchorage (200 miles)
Information Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve (907) 822-5234 or www.nps.gov/wrst