McCarthy is a historic town in the center of Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Get in
By car
McCarthy can be reached by driving the highly scenic McCarthy Road, a 60-mile long gravel road beginning at the Copper River near Chitina. The road is built on part of the orginal rail bed for the Copper River Northwestern Railway, which ran copper ore from Kennicott to Cordova until 1938.
Although usually suitable for passenger vehicles, road is notorious for potholes, washouts, railroad spikes and flat tires. Drivers should check current road conditions at Park Headquarters, (907) 822-5234.
By bus
Many visitors choose to leave their car at Chitina and take a shuttle into the park on the McCarthy Road.
'''Backcountry Connections''' (907) 822-5292 makes daily runs from Glennallen to McCarthy in the summer months.
'''Wrangell-St. Elias Tours''' (907) 822-5978 provides tours to McCarthy and Kennicott from Chitina (May-Sept). They also offer shuttles and package tours to McCarthy from Anchorage.
By air
'''Ellis Air''' has scheduled flights on Wednesdays and Fridays from Gulkana Airport near Glennallen. Call (907) 822-3368 or 800-478-3368 for prices and flight times.
'''Wrangell Mountain Air''', (800) 478-1160, offers daily service three times a day (Mid-May to Mid-September) from Chitina to McCarthy with advance reservations.
Get around
Visitors to McCarthy should come prepared with good walking shoes, rain or wind jacket, hat, gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen. If you are seeking outdoor recreation you will find ample opportunity. You'll be walking and exploring historic sites, maybe even trekking on a glacier, or climbing a mountain!
The McCarthy Road ends at a footbridge across the Kennicott River. From here it is about 0.5 miles to the town of McCarthy, and 5 miles uphill to Kennicott. You can walk, ride a bike, or take a shuttle.
See
'''The Root Glacier''' This is one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers. You can walk on the white ice of the glacier after hiking just two miles from Kennicott. There are guide services in Kennicott to assist you.
'''Historic Kennicott''' The Kennecott mines and mill town formed in the early 1900s after copper was discoved near Kennicott. Today, these buildings and the history they contain remain one of Alaska's most treasured artifacts.
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
. ww.kennicottriverlodge.com. WELCOME TO KENNICOTT RIVER LODGE AND HOSTEL!
The main lodge building provides a commons area for all guests to enjoy. There is a lounge upstairs and a kitchen on the lower level. There are also upper and lower viewing decks for spectacular views of the glaciers and mountains. Next to the main lodge is a sauna and outfront a fire pit for nighttime bonfires.</sleep>
Contact
Get out
Fly out with Ellis Air (907) 822-3368 (the Mail Plane) on Wednesday or Friday.
Backcountry Connections (907) 822-5292 makes daily runs from McCarthy to Glennallen in the summer months.
Wrangell-St. Elias Tours (907) 822-5978 provides transportation to Anchorage from McCarthy. (May-Sept.) Call for schedules and prices.