North Wrangell High Country Shelter

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations or fees required. Winter users should use caution as trail boardwalks at lower elevations can be snow-covered and icy.

About

North Wrangell High Country Shelter is a remote 3-sided backcountry shelter located at the highest point along the North Wrangell Trail on Wrangell Island in the Tongass National Forest. The shelter provides a rustic overnight camping option for hikers exploring the high country of Wrangell Island, with spectacular panoramic views of the mainland and surrounding islands from its elevated position. The shelter can be reached via two routes: a 2.6-mile hike from the North Wrangell Trailhead on the Spur Road Extension with 2,000 feet of elevation gain, or a longer 3.5-mile approach from the Rainbow Falls Trailhead via the Rainbow Falls Trail and Institute Creek Trail, gaining 2,500 feet of elevation. The trail and shelter are popular for day hikes and overnight trips, and provide excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter months. An outhouse is available at the site, but campers must bring their own water as none is available. This is a first-come, first-served shelter with no fees or advance reservations required. Winter users should exercise caution as lower elevation sections of the trail feature boardwalks that can become snow-covered and icy. The shelter does not provide a heat source and is not designed as a four-season facility.

Directions

Option 1: 3.5 miles from the Rainbow Falls Trailhead via Rainbow Falls Trail to Institute Creek Trail to North Wrangell Trail for a 2,500 foot elevation gain. Option 2: 2.6 miles from the North Wrangell Trailhead on the Spur Road Extension for a 2,000 foot elevation gain.

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