Wrangell - St Elias · October
Wrangell - St Elias in October
October is one of the best times to visit Wrangell - St Elias — quieter than September, about as busy as November.
Crowd score
How busy it gets
Well below this park's peak — easy parking, open trails, short lines.
About 2% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical October visits vs. the year
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
October weather
- Avg high
- —
- Avg low
- —
- Precipitation
- 1.6"
- Sunrise
- 6:14 AM
- Sunset
- 4:16 PM
- Daylight
- 10h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, May Creek, AK US
What's open
Wrangell - St Elias in October: access
The park and public lands are always open but visitor facilities have limited seasons: Open in Summer. Call ahead for hours: Copper Center (907) 822-7250, Slana (907) 822-7401, Chitina (907) 823-7250 and Kennecott (907) 205-7106. CLOSED Mid-September through April.
No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Caution
Lakina River Update
A recently observed landslide across the Lakina River is creating a debris hazard on a popular packrafting route. The river water is cutting its way through, but is highly dynamic and should be expected to remain that way through the boating season.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Wrangell - St Elias crowds across the year
FAQ
Wrangell - St Elias in October
How busy is Wrangell - St Elias in October?
October rates 1/10 for crowds (Quiet) at Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve — about 2% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 530.
What is the weather like at Wrangell - St Elias in October?
In October, Wrangell - St Elias averages a high of 0°F and a low of 0°F, with about 1.6 inches of precipitation.