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Pick any two picks from this list and see specs, current price, pros, cons and reader ratings side by side.
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#10 on this list
Kings Canyon / Sequoia
California
High Sierra wilderness with less foot traffic than Yosemite. JMT and Rae Lakes country.
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- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#1 on this list
Wrangell–St. Elias
Alaska
The largest US park — no established trails in most of it. True off-trail wilderness.
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- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Kings Canyon / Sequoia | Wrangell–St. Elias |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Central Sierra Nevada, California | — |
| Terrain | High alpine, granite peaks, deep canyons, sequoia groves | — |
| Best Season | July to mid-September | — |
| Elevation | 4,000 ft to over 14,000 ft | — |
| Key Trails | JMT, PCT, Rae Lakes Loop | — |
| Crowd Level | Moderate (permits limit numbers) | — |
| Size | — | 13.2 million acres |
| State | — | Alaska |
| Designation | — | National Park and Preserve |
| Highest Peak | — | Mount St. Elias (18,008 ft) |
| Established | — | 1980 |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Kings Canyon / Sequoia
- Stunning high alpine scenery, rivaling Yosemite's
- Fewer crowds than other popular Sierra parks
- Extensive network of long-distance trails
- Opportunity for true solitude in remote areas
- Home to iconic giant sequoia groves
- Permits are highly competitive for popular routes
- Significant elevation gain and loss on most trails
- Road access limited seasonally by snow
- Limited resupply options within the park backcountry
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer
Wrangell–St. Elias
- Unparalleled true wilderness experience and solitude
- Massive scale and diverse, dramatic landscapes
- Abundant and varied wildlife viewing opportunities
- Unlimited options for self-guided expedition planning
- Opportunity for deep immersion in an untouched ecosystem
- Extreme remoteness demands advanced wilderness skills
- Significant logistical challenges and high costs for access
- Rapidly changing, unpredictable weather conditions
- No cell service and very limited emergency infrastructure
- Heavy bug pressure in summer can be relentless
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.