Nabesna Road
Gateway to Wrangell-St. Elias wilderness and mining history
The Nabesna Road cuts 42 miles into the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, ending at the old Nabesna Gold Mine beneath 16,390-foot Mount Blackburn. This gravel road starts deceptively easy from the Glenn Highway but deteriorates into washouts, creek crossings, and rocky sections that’ll test your rig’s ground clearance. The Devil’s Mountain Lodge at Mile 42 marks the road’s terminus, where prospectors once hauled gold from these remote claims in the 1930s.
High-clearance 4WD becomes essential after Mile 29, especially during spring melt when Jacksina Creek and Rock Creek crossings can run deep. Summer is your window—May through September—with July and August offering the most reliable conditions. No permits required, but fuel up in Slana before heading out as services don’t exist beyond Mile 5. The payoff is massive: unobstructed views of four major mountain ranges, endless dispersed camping, and the kind of wilderness solitude that makes Alaska legendary.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 42 mi / 67.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3200 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Slana, Alaska |
| Land manager | National Park Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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