Information About Off Road Vehicle Permits At Wrangell-St. Elias

 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve 

News Release 

Release Date: May 12, 2025 

Contact: Jan Maslen, jan_maslen@nps.gov, 907-822-7206 

Off Road Vehicle Permits Available Through Online Process 

COPPER CENTER, ALASKA – Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is processing online applications for FREE Recreation and Subsistence Off Road Vehicle (ORV) permits.

For information on how to apply see the Recreational ORV Use or Subsistence ORV Use pages online at (www.nps.gov/WRST) or call Jan Maslen, Special Use Permit Coordinator at 907-822-7206. Please allow two weeks for us to process your application.

Background on ORV Permits

Permits are required for all Recreational ORV use and recommended for Subsistence ORV use. Self- registration permits for the Nugget Creek Trail are no longer available at the trailhead. Users may apply for permits either online or in-person during regular business hours at the Visitor Center in Copper Center or at the Slana Ranger Station. The Copper Center Visitor Center is open seven (7) days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Slana Ranger Station will also be open seven (7) days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting on May 24.

ORVs may only be used in designated areas of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. These designated areas and trails are determined by the type of ORV use, the type of trail, and Wilderness Area designation. For information on trails and areas currently open, see the Recreational ORV Use or the Subsistence ORV Use pages. Note that different rules may apply to local rural residents harvesting resources under federal subsistence regulations. It is important to be aware of which rules apply to you.

ORV permits are issued to identify the location of users in the event of an emergency, document the type and amount of use on trails, and ensure users are aware of terms and conditions which minimize impact on land/resources so that opportunities for recreational activities can continue.