Copper River Country Nature Tour 2010

Immerse yourself in the natural wonders and history of the Copper River Country.  Enjoy a scenic, 25-mile van ride with interpretive discussion of the geologic forces that have shaped this vast area, including a stop at a panoramic view of the volcanic Wrangell Mountains (weather permitting).  Upon arriving at Wellwood Nature Center, experience an interactive presentation of the furs and skulls of some of our local animals. 

Trained naturalists then guide you for a hike through the forest, exploring native vegetation, landscapes, and looking for signs of animals. Most 1/4 mile hikes are easy on developed trails, but hikes up to 1 mile are available, depending on group preferences and weather.

  Enjoy views overlooking the beautiful, glacial Tonsina River and the Chugach Mountains.  On the return trip to the Lodge, relax, ask questions, and converse with your guides about other aspects of the life, history, and wonders of Alaska.

Bring your camera and be prepared to make a lasting friendship with the Copper River country!

Guest Comments

• Very interesting
• Wonderful nature walk
• Loved all the information about plants and animals
• Great to get into the natural environment without a crowd
• This is how to learn a lot about this area in a short time

Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias Country

Tour through one of our planet’s most spectacular regions, with an expert naturalist as your guide. Our guides live and work in the local area and have a wealth of knowledge about life in the far north. Gain an up close and personal acquaintance with Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias country. Then, in the heart of the Copper River Valley, walk through wilderness that exemplifies the environment found within the National Park itself.

Facilities and Cautions

Facilities are rustic. Trails are bare earth or covered with wood chips. Log or wood benches provide seating. Although the trails are not challenging, the wilderness is. It is vital to stay with the group and follow the instructions of the guide at all times.

The Tour

Your tour is unique, partly dependent on weather and season, but planned opportunities include:

• View and photograph Wrangell Mountain vistas.
• Walk along a creek as it meanders through the taiga.
• See remnants of beaver lodges and dams and explore how these busy engineers transform their woodland home.
• Climb inside flowers and rock crystals, using hand lenses to observe intricate details.
• Discover the boreal forest, home to one of the largest organisms on Earth, and to America’s smallest mammal.
• Identify local plants with edible, poisonous, or medicinal properties.
• Examine mammal skins and skulls and explore how these wild animals are linked in the circle of life.
• Witness the grandeur of the largest volcano of its kind.
• Wonder at the amazing migration of Copper River salmon and its impact on life in the Copper River Valley.
• Draw inspiration from the region, with growing appreciation for its life, its history, and its geologic origins.

Your tour fees help fund Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment Programs

WISE is a local not-for-profit corporation dedicated to science and environmental education in the Copper River Valley. Proceeds from “Copper River Country Nature Tour” help to fund educational programs for youth and adults in the region of the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. These programs include outdoor events for school children, a public lecture series in which visiting scientists share their research with local citizens, and in-classroom activities and presentations. To enhance its effectiveness, WISE partners with many other Copper Valley organizations and agencies.

Cost: $119 for Adults $70 for Children under 12
Tours start June 1and end September 1.
For more information contact us

If you want to book a tour as a Princess Tour customer, please call 1-800-426-0442 or Contact WISE at 907-822-3575 for assistance

If you would like to continue to support WISE, you can mail a tax-deductible contribution to: WISE, HC60 Box 336E, Copper Center, AK 99573, or click on the Donate/Join button.

Note: All furs used in our presentations were donated by Alaska Department of Fish and Game