Much of the range is included in Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park and Preserve.

The range takes its name from Mount Wrangell, which is one of the largest andesite shield volcanoes in the world, and also the only presently active volcano in the range.

The Wrangell Mountains comprise most of the Wrangell Volcanic Field, which also extends into the neighboring Saint Elias Mountains and the Yukon Territory in Canada.

These ranges have the combined effect of blocking the inland areas from warmer moist air over the Pacific Ocean.

The Wrangell Mountains include 12 of the 40+ Alaskan peaks over 13,000 feet (4,000 m) (see fourteeners and thirteeners): Other prominent mountains include: The mountains are named after explorer, president of Russian-American Company, and admiral Ferdinand von Wrangel.