Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Chitina considers itself the gateway to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, which is the largest national park in the United States. If you're interested in hiking, the Tolsona Mud Volcanoes Trail is a 2 mile round trip hike up a hillside into a forest and to the Mud Volcanoes. Vegetation around the volcanoes is dead due to the high salt content of the mud, but you will see salty, bubbling springs which flow nearly the entire year. The Tonsina River Trail is 2 miles through a spruce forest and gives hikers outstanding views of the Tonsina River and the Chugach Mountains. You might consider a flightseeing tour to see more of the park. The tours take you over jagged glaciers, mountain peaks, forests and rivers. The park doesn't offer flightseeing tours but information about local flight operators is available at the park.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
P.O. Box 439
Copper Center, AK 99573
(907) 822-5234
nps.gov
Copper River Fishing
The Copper River is a great place to fish or even just enjoy the scenery. While you are using a fishing pole in your attempts to catch "the big one," you will likely see natives using long handled nets to scoop up fish in a process known as dipnetting. Another great site to see is fish wheels, which locals use to catch salmon. The Copper River is one of two rivers in Alaska where fish wheels are allowed. Fish wheels are floating fish traps made of old barrels, pipes, small poles, lumber and chicken wire. Salmon swim right into these traps and are stored in a holding tank until the tank is full.
Copper River
Chitina, AK 99566
Scenic Tour
A scenic tour of the Chitina area will give the chance to take in regional sites. The 125 mile guided tour from Backcountry Connection travels through the towns of Chitina, Copper Center and Kenny Lake. You will see the Copper River, Kuskulana River, Gilahina River railroad wooden trestle, and Copper River bridge which is home to Copper River Red Salmon. You will pass many historic buildings on your tour. The Copper River & Northwestern Railway is also on the tour. Backcountry Connections picks up tour participants at hotels, RV parks and campgrounds in towns along the tour route.
Backcountry Connection
P.O. Box 65
Glennallen, AK 99588
(907) 822-5292
Rafting
The Copper River is a great place for a rafting trip. Taking off from Chitina, you can take a 6 or 7 day trip, traveling 100 miles along the river where you will see waterfalls, glaciers and icebergs, which sometimes float downstream. You may also see bald eagles flying above or brown bears catching salmon in nearby waters. It's also common to see moose near the river. Each night you will camp along the river. You can fish while on the trip but will need an Alaska fishing license. One day rafting trips are also available.
Copper Oar: Alaska Adventure Travel
P.O. Box 92129
Anchorage, AK 99509
(800) 523-4453
copperoar.com
