Nabesna Road — Slana to Nabesna via the Wrangell Mountains Volcanic Foothills
Dead-end road into volcano country, Alaska.
The Nabesna Road is the only road that penetrates Wrangell–St. Elias National Park from the north, and it earns every mile. Starting from the tiny community of Slana off the Glenn Highway, the gravel track threads south through boreal forest and tundra before opening onto sweeping views of Mount Sanford, Mount Drum, and the Wrangell volcanic field — some of the largest stratovolcanoes in North America. The road is passable by most high-clearance vehicles for the first 29 miles, but past Mile 29 at the Sportsman’s Paradise Lodge area, three creek crossings — including Rufus Creek — turn it into a job for real 4WD with solid suspension. The terminal point at Nabesna, a private mining community, requires courtesy and awareness of private property boundaries.
The upper section demands at minimum a stock 4WD high-clearance rig; a lifted truck or capable SUV with all-terrain tires is smarter. Three water crossings vary from trivial in dry years to axle-deep in June snowmelt — check NPS road conditions before rolling. Best season is late June through mid-September; the road is frequently impassable in spring breakup and closes under snow by October. No permit is required, but camping is limited to designated sites at Mile 28.4 and Mile 42. Fuel in Slana is unreliable — fill in Glennallen. Cell service ends at the highway junction and doesn’t return. What you get out of it: total immersion in a wilderness that most people only fly over.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 42 mi / 67.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3600 ft |
| Best season | Late June–September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Slana, Alaska |
| Land manager | National Park Service — Wrangell–St. Elias National Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | NPS Nabesna Road guide NPS road conditions page |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Land Cruiser handle Nabesna Road, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get you through in good conditions, but the road deteriorates past Mile 29 with rougher washboards, soft shoulders, and creek crossings that can deepen after rain. A lift helps, but aggressive tires and a solid skid plate matter more here than suspension height.
When does Nabesna Road open and close for the season?
Late June through September is the reliable window — spring breakup leaves the road soft and rutted into early summer, and early snow can shut things down in October. Check the NPS road conditions page before you leave Slana because conditions change fast and there's no one out there to tell you otherwise.
Do I need a permit to drive Nabesna Road or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the road or use the designated backcountry campsites along it — it's managed by the NPS under Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. Backcountry camping off the road corridor is also allowed without a permit, but follow Leave No Trace and check current fire restrictions with the park.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
Miles 29–42 are where it gets serious — the road narrows, drainage crossings lose their culverts, and the surface gets rocky enough to punish low-clearance rigs. After heavy rain the creek crossings can run knee-deep on a truck, and with no cell service and a dead-end terminus, a breakdown past Mile 30 means you're solving it yourself.
How far is the nearest gas from Nabesna Road, and should I carry extra fuel?
Slana at the start of the road is your last real stop, and fuel availability there is limited and unreliable — tank up in Tok (roughly 75 miles northwest) before you head in. Carry at least 5–10 gallons of extra fuel; the 84-mile round trip plus any exploration adds up fast, and there is nothing at the end of the road.
Trail track
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