Southcentral Community: Glennallen
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Glennallen, referred to as 'the Hub' of Alaska's road system, is a service center on the Glenn Highway, two miles west of the junction with the Richardson Highway. Because of its strategic location, the town provides a wide range of facilities and services and is the major departure point to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Though Denali National Park may contain the highest peak in North America, Wrangell-St. Elias boasts nine out of the highest 16 peaks in the U.S. and is no doubt as wild and undeveloped as Denali National Park was 50 years ago. While Denali draws more than 400,000 visitors each year, Wrangell-St. Elias receives less than 60,000, making it the perfect wilderness escape without the crowds.
Surrounded by four mountain ranges - Wrangell-St. Elias to the east, Alaska Range to the north, Chugach to the south and Talkeetnas to the west, Glennallen offers scenic spender in all directions and provides a base for Alaska adventure including world-class fishing, rafting, flightseeing, snowmachining and wildlife viewing. As the gateway into Wrangell-St. Elias, a variety of guides, outfitters and tour companies base out of Glennallen.
The Alaska Wildlife Museum presents more than 50 panoramas of Alaska wildlife in their wilderness habitat. This small but unique museum is filled with realistic displays and features grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, wolverine, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and mountain goats to name a few.
Glennallen is the starting point and finish line for the yearly Copper Basin 300 Dog Sled Race. Often referred to as the toughest 300 miles in Alaska, the race is held in January and serves as a qualifier for the 1,000-mile long Iditarod race held in March.
Details
Photo By: Robin Hood
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A man kayaks a calm river
Population: 589
Location: Glennallen lies along the Glenn Highway at its junction with the Richardson Highway, 189 road miles east of Anchorage. It is located just outside the western boundary of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Access: By road via the Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway, scheduled bus service between Anchorage and Whitehorse in Canada.
Accommodations: Glennallen services include different types of restaurants, hotels, bed & breakfasts, cabins, campgrounds and RV parks and all other services.