Park Comparison

Voyageurs vs Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve

Two iconic parks, different strengths. Here's how they stack up.

Updated

The Quick Take

Voyageurs

Four interconnected lakes form a water maze where boats replace roads through 340 square miles of boreal wilderness and scattered islands.

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

Voyageurs Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
Crowd Level Comfortable Comfortable
Best Month June June
Location MN AK
Size 340.9 sq mi 20,626 sq mi
Visitors (2024) 199K 81,670

The Crowd Picture

Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve sees less than half the visitors Voyageurs gets, which translates to a noticeably different crowd experience on trails and at viewpoints.

Voyageurs

Voyageurs welcomes 199K visitors annually across 340.9 square miles — about 584 visitors per square mile. Congestion is low, peaking in August.

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.

Verdict

Congestion is comparable at both parks — the better choice depends on when you go, not where.

When to Go

Click any month to see how conditions compare side-by-side.

Voyageurs
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Low Moderate High Peak Best month

Trails & Activities

Total Trails
32 mi vs ✓ 70 mi

Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve has more trail mileage for exploration.

Voyageurs Top Activities

  • kayaking canoeing 9/10
  • fishing 9/10
  • wildlife viewing 8/10
  • bird watching 8/10
  • photography 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

Campgrounds
0 sites vs ✓ 10 sites

Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve offers significantly more camping options.

The Bottom Line

Choose Voyageurs if you...

  • Want to experience Rainy Lake
  • Are looking for world-class kayaking canoeing
  • Are traveling on a budget
or

Choose Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve if you...

  • Want to experience Mount St. Elias
  • Are looking for world-class rock climbing
  • Are a photographer chasing iconic shots
  • Want more trail options (70 miles vs 32)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Voyageurs or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?

It depends on what you're looking for. Voyageurs is known for Rainy Lake, while Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is known for Mount St. Elias. Voyageurs is less crowded, making it the better pick if solitude matters to you.

Is Voyageurs or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve more crowded?

Voyageurs has a congestion index of 2.1/10 and receives 199K visitors per year. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve scores 3/10 with 81,670 annual visitors. Voyageurs is the quieter option.

When is the best time to visit Voyageurs vs Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?

The best month to visit Voyageurs is June, while Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is best visited in June. Since both peak at the same time, plan well in advance.

Which has better hiking, Voyageurs or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?

Voyageurs has 32 trail miles and Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve has 70. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve offers significantly more trail variety.

Read More

Full guide to Voyageurs → Full guide to Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve →