Where on earth
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- Region
- Alaska, United States
- Country
- Polar Regions
- Biome
- Sub-Arctic alpine (600–2,000 m)
- Best season
- July – September
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Winter Camping
- Wildlife Viewing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Sub-Arctic alpine (600–2,000 m)
- Best season: July – September
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail
Topic summary
A 45-mile 6-day trek along Wrangell's historic Goat Trail.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: July – September
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Sub-Arctic alpine (600–2,000 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail trip tools
How to get there
Drive the washboarded McCarthy Road from Chitina toward McCarthy. Vehicle access ends before town; continue on foot across the footbridge. Small-plane access is an option for the park's backcountry. Confirm the specific Goat Trail start, finish, and onward transport with the National Park Service before booking travel.
- McCarthy
Reached via McCarthy Road from Chitina, with pedestrian access into town across the footbridge at the road's end. This is a park access point, not a confirmed Goat Trail trailhead.
- Nizina
Another access point for the park. Confirm transport arrangements and its suitability for the intended itinerary before treating it as a Goat Trail starting point.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Wrangell-St Elias — Goat TrailAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail
Planning to fish Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail, Alaska? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Alaska are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail?
- A Alaska fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Alaska fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail
Thinking about hunting Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail, Alaska? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Alaska are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail?
- Confirm the land around Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Alaska?
- A Alaska hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Goat Trail: establish the route before committing
Wrangell–St. Elias lies in south-central Alaska, spanning the Wrangell Mountains and much of the Saint Elias Mountains. For a trip identified as the Goat Trail, the essential first step is to establish the exact itinerary with the National Park Service. A trailhead, route alignment, distance, and difficulty cannot be specified here, and the name alone should not be treated as evidence of a marked walking route. The wider park is a vast, heavily glaciated mountain landscape where backcountry travel can involve small-plane access, base camping, or point-to-point hiking. Treat those as trip formats rather than confirmed Goat Trail directions. Settle the access and exit arrangements before choosing daily stages, equipment, or a transport booking.
Mountain and ice country
Volcanism, glaciation, and tectonic uplift have shaped this landscape. Mount Wrangell and Mount Churchill are major volcanoes in the ranges, while Mount Saint Elias reaches 18,008 feet. The broader park contains the Malaspina, Hubbard, and Nabesna glaciers, and the Bagley Icefield covers much of its interior. These are features of the park as a whole, not promised sights or waypoints on the Goat Trail. The practical lesson is one of scale: a park overview cannot substitute for route-level planning in this terrain. Match clothing, shelter, navigation, and food reserves to a mountain backcountry trip, and establish whether the chosen itinerary involves ice before deciding what skills or equipment are needed. Keep the walking plan separate from any sightseeing flight.
Road access and backcountry trip style
McCarthy is a practical starting point for exploring this part of Wrangell–St. Elias. The washboarded McCarthy Road runs from Chitina to McCarthy, but private cars cannot be driven into the town; a footbridge at the road's end provides pedestrian access. The old copper-mining settlement of Kennicott is five miles from McCarthy. Its historic setting adds another dimension to a visit, distinct from the mountain backcountry. Nizina is another access point, while small planes provide a way into the wider backcountry. Choose between a base-camp trip and a point-to-point hike only after confirming where transport can deliver and collect the party. Neither the road approach nor a flight into the park establishes the starting point for the Goat Trail.
Route options
- Backcountry base camp
A general park trip format using a single backcountry camp, potentially reached by small plane. No specific campsite or Goat Trail connection is established here; confirm the location and appropriate outings before committing.
- Point-to-point backcountry hike
A general alternative to base camping in the park, with small-plane access potentially supporting the itinerary. This is not a verified Goat Trail route description; establish the walking line, endpoints, and collection arrangements before departure.
Sample itineraries
- McCarthy access and orientation · 1 day
Suggested orientation day, not a Goat Trail itinerary: drive the McCarthy Road from Chitina, leave the vehicle at the road end, and cross the footbridge into McCarthy. Use this as an introduction to the area rather than assuming onward trail access.
- McCarthy and the historic copper town · 2 days
Suggested access-area visit: spend the first day reaching and exploring McCarthy, then visit the historic copper-mining town of Kennicott on the second. Confirm onward transportation beforehand. This is an alternative to backcountry travel, not a verified Goat Trail route or walking schedule.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Local transition out of winter
In this heavily glaciated mountain landscape, do not assume spring means snow-free travel. Confirm local snow, ice, and access conditions before setting a backcountry plan.
Summer
Summer travel planning
Permanent ice remains a defining feature of the park. Summer alone does not establish whether the Goat Trail is passable; confirm route conditions and carry protection for cold, wet mountain weather.
Fall
Local transition toward winter
Plan conservatively for colder mountain conditions and possible snow. Verify access and transportation before committing to a remote trip; no Goat Trail operating season is established here.
Winter
Winter travel planning
Treat travel in these high, ice-covered mountains as a cold-weather undertaking. Do not assume summer access arrangements or hiking plans remain suitable. Seek current local guidance before choosing a route.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Local transition out of winter | In this heavily glaciated mountain landscape, do not assume spring means snow-free travel. Confirm local snow, ice, and access conditions before setting a backcountry plan. |
| Summer | Summer travel planning | Permanent ice remains a defining feature of the park. Summer alone does not establish whether the Goat Trail is passable; confirm route conditions and carry protection for cold, wet mountain weather. |
| Fall | Local transition toward winter | Plan conservatively for colder mountain conditions and possible snow. Verify access and transportation before committing to a remote trip; no Goat Trail operating season is established here. |
| Winter | Winter travel planning | Treat travel in these high, ice-covered mountains as a cold-weather undertaking. Do not assume summer access arrangements or hiking plans remain suitable. Seek current local guidance before choosing a route. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current Goat Trail permit requirements and backcountry rules with the National Park Service.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- The McCarthy Road is described as washboarded. Allow a cautious driving pace rather than treating it as a fast approach.
- The park's enormous scale makes backcountry self-sufficiency important. Carry navigation and emergency communication equipment, and leave a trip plan.
- Extensive glaciers and permanent ice make terrain selection consequential. Do not enter glaciated terrain without appropriate skills and equipment.
- High mountain terrain calls for conservative weather decisions and insulation, even when conditions at the access point seem mild.
What to pack for Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail
- Topographic maps covering the intended route
- Compass and offline navigation
- Satellite communication device
- Written trip plan left with a trusted contact
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Insulating layers
- Warm hat and gloves
- Sturdy footwear suited to confirmed terrain
- Shelter and sleeping system appropriate to expected conditions
- Food with a contingency supply
- Water containers and treatment
- First-aid and repair supplies
Wrangell-St Elias — Goat Trail FAQ
- Is there enough information to plan the Goat Trail itself?
- No verified Goat Trail alignment, access point, distance, or trip duration is established here. Obtain route-specific information from the National Park Service before booking transport or choosing camps.
- How is McCarthy reached?
- Drive the McCarthy Road from Chitina to the road end, then cross a footbridge into McCarthy. Cars cannot be driven into town.
- Does reaching McCarthy establish access to the Goat Trail?
- No. McCarthy is a park access point, but a connection to the Goat Trail is not established here. Nizina is also identified as a park access point, without route-specific details.
- What options exist for reaching the backcountry?
- Small-plane access is an option for the park's backcountry, with base camping and point-to-point hiking described as possible trip styles. Confirm suitable landing locations, transport arrangements, and the intended route before committing.
- What can be visited without committing to a backcountry route?
- McCarthy and the historic copper-mining town of Kennicott offer an access-area alternative. Kennicott is described as five miles from McCarthy; confirm how to travel between them.
- What defines the surrounding landscape?
- Wrangell–St. Elias spans the Wrangell Mountains and much of the Saint Elias Mountains. Volcanism and glaciation have shaped its high peaks, extensive glaciers, and icefields. Conditions elsewhere in this vast park should not be treated as Goat Trail conditions.