Park Comparison
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes vs Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
Two iconic parks, different strengths. Here's how they stack up.
Updated
The Quick Take
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Two active volcanoes shape terrain from tide pools to alpine desert. Walk across recent lava flows and through rainforests on ancient rock.
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 Hawaiʻi Volcanoes gets, which translates to a noticeably different crowd experience on trails and at viewpoints.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes welcomes 1.4M visitors annually across 520.5 square miles — about 2,754 visitors per square mile. Congestion is high, peaking in December. 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 edges out Hawaiʻi Volcanoes on elbow room, though both can get busy in peak season.
When to Go
Click any month to see how conditions compare side-by-side.
Trails & Activities
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has more trail mileage for exploration.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Top Activities
- photography 10/10
- hiking 9/10
- scenic driving 9/10
- ranger programs 8/10
- backpacking 7/10
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve Top Activities
- rock climbing 9/10
- scenic driving 9/10
- photography 9/10
- hiking 8/10
- backpacking 8/10
Camping
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park offers significantly more camping options.
The Bottom Line
Choose Hawaiʻi Volcanoes if you...
- Want to experience Kīlauea Caldera
- Are looking for great ranger programs
- Are an international visitor on a first US park trip
- Want more trail options (232 miles vs 70)
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, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
It depends on what you're looking for. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is known for Kīlauea Caldera, 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 Hawaiʻi Volcanoes or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve more crowded?
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes has a congestion index of 5.7/10 and receives 1.4M 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 Hawaiʻi Volcanoes vs Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
The best month to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is April, 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, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes has 232 trail miles and Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve has 70. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes offers significantly more trail variety.