Park Comparison
Haleakalā vs Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
Two iconic parks, different strengths. Here's how they stack up.
Updated
The Quick Take
Haleakalā
A dormant volcano where you stand above the clouds at 10,000 feet, then descend through alpine desert to rainforest in a single morning.
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
America's largest park holds nine of the continent's sixteen highest peaks, including Mount St. Elias, with glaciers you can drive to.
At a Glance
The Crowd Picture
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve sees less than half the visitors Haleakalā gets, which translates to a noticeably different crowd experience on trails and at viewpoints.
Haleakalā
Haleakalā welcomes 732K visitors annually across 45.5 square miles — about 16,098 visitors per square mile. Congestion is intense, peaking in May. A long comfortable season helps spread crowds across 12 months.
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve welcomes 81,670 visitors annually across 20,626 square miles — about 4 visitors per square mile. Congestion is low, peaking in July. With only 0 comfortable months, visitors concentrate into a short window.
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is dramatically less congested than Haleakalā — you'll feel the difference on every trail.
When to Go
Click any month to see how conditions compare side-by-side.
Trails & Activities
Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve has more trail mileage for exploration.
Haleakalā Top Activities
- photography 10/10
- hiking 9/10
- scenic driving 9/10
- backpacking 8/10
- stargazing 8/10
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve Top Activities
- rock climbing 9/10
- scenic driving 9/10
- photography 9/10
- hiking 8/10
- backpacking 8/10
Camping
Haleakalā National Park offers significantly more camping options.
The Bottom Line
Choose Haleakalā if you...
- Want to experience Haleakalā Crater
- Are looking for great swimming
- Are an international visitor on a first US park trip
Choose Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve if you...
- Want to experience Mount St. Elias
- Are looking for world-class rock climbing
- Are an adventure seeker looking for thrills
- Want fewer crowds and more solitude
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Haleakalā or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
It depends on what you're looking for. Haleakalā is known for Haleakalā Crater, while Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is known for Mount St. Elias. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is less crowded, making it the better pick if solitude matters to you.
Is Haleakalā or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve more crowded?
Haleakalā has a congestion index of 8.4/10 and receives 732K visitors per year. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve scores 3/10 with 81,670 annual visitors. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is the quieter option.
When is the best time to visit Haleakalā vs Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
The best month to visit Haleakalā is July, while Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is best visited in June. The different peak seasons mean you could visit one in spring and the other in fall.
Which has better hiking, Haleakalā or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
Haleakalā has 29 trail miles and Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve has 70. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve offers significantly more trail variety.