Curious about visiting McCarthy, Alaska? Set at the end of the 60-mile (97-km) McCarthy Road inside Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, this tiny town looks remote on paper, but you’d be surprised at just how much there is to do! On our most recent van trip through Alaska, we spent several days exploring everything McCarthy had to offer. Out of everything we tried, we’ve boiled it down to the best 11 things to do in McCarthy, Alaska, so you know what to focus on!
💡 Stay tuned to the end of the article for important trip-planning info like where to stay, when to visit, how to navigate the shuttles, and more!
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ℹ️ About McCarthy, Alaska
McCarthy, Alaska, emerged in the early 1900s as the free-spirited counterpart to the copper-mining town of Kennicott, just five miles down the road. When the copper boom ended, McCarthy nearly emptied out, but today, a small year-round community of just over 100 residents keeps it alive.
Today, it’s one of only two areas of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve which you can reach by road, along with the northern Nabesna area. We visited for the first time in summer 2025 and were blown away by how much there was to do in such a remote town. Once in McCarthy, we had Root Glacier, the Kennecott Mines, flightseeing tours, and more right at our fingertips.
🐻 McCarthy is smack in the center of Bear Country. Thus, it’s essential that you brush up on bear safety practices before visiting, one of which is carrying a can of bear spray.
🥾 11 Best Things to Do in McCarthy, Alaska
Below, we’ve listed our top 11 favorite things we did while visiting McCarthy, Alaska, along with a few activities we didn’t have time for, but know are popular. For an expanded list of things to do in the surrounding Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, refer to our article, 15 Things to Do in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
1. Take a Flightseeing Tour
Going on a flightseeing tour was hands down our favorite memory from our time in McCarthy, Alaska. Seeing Wrangell-St. Elias National Park from the sky really made us grasp just how massive it is. Although there are a handful of local flightseeing companies, we ended up booking with Wrangell Mountain Air, as their prices are competitive and they leave right from downtown McCarthy. Plus, Wrangell Mountain Air donates some of its profits to environmental non-profits, which really aligns with our values.
We went on their 90-minute Bagley Icefield – University Range Tour, and had the time of our lives! We’d already heard the views were unreal, but flying over the Bagley Icefield completely exceeded expectations—easily one of our top Alaska experiences. Since Wrangell-St. Elias is so large that we found seeing the park from the air crucial to getting a holistic experience.
Our small plane (five passengers plus the pilot) took off from the McCarthy airstrip around 5 pm. Right away, we were soaring over Root and Kennicott Glaciers, the Bonanza Mine, and Kennicott before heading toward Mt. Blackburn, the highest peak in the Wrangell Mountains.
From there, we crossed the Copper River and the landscape gradually opened up into the Bagley Icefield, the second-largest non-polar icefield in North America.
We were given airline headsets which blocked out engine noise and let us chat with each other and our pilot, Orin, who was fantastic. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the history and geology of the area. This was our second flight in a small aircraft, and we felt completely safe the entire time!
Seeing Wrangell–St. Elias from the sky put the park into perspective in a way hiking trails can’t, and if there were two big-ticket splurges we’d recommend in Alaska, a flightseeing tour with Wrangell Mountain Air and a Kenai Fjords boat tour would be it.
ℹ️ Fun Fact! Did you know that an icefield is essentially a “lake of ice,” whereas glaciers are more like “rivers of ice” that have left the lake?
2. Explore the Ghost-Town of Kennicott
Just five miles up the road from McCarthy sits Kennicott, a beautifully preserved copper mining town from the 1900s. Although now a ghost town, you can still walk past the remains of historic buildings like the old post office, general store, power plant, and more for free! You can reach Kennicott by hopping back on the same shuttle you took from the footbridge.
🚲 If you have a bike with you, you can pedal the relatively flat 5-mile (8 km) dirt road between McCarthy and Kennecott and skip the shuttle altogether.
Interpretive signs throughout town explain what life was like during the copper boom, and you can wander in and out of most of the buildings for free. Basically, everywhere in town except the copper mill can be entered for free.
If you do want a deeper look into the mill, guided mill tours (more on that in #3) take you inside the 14-story mill and down through its maze of chutes, equipment, and wooden staircases. If you’re even vaguely interested in Alaska’s mining history, we can’t recommend this tour enough!
After exploring town, you can grab a bite to eat at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge or continue straight onto a hiking trail, such as Root Glacier Trail, which begins right behind the mill. More on how to hike Root Glacier and other trails in number four!
3. Take a Tour of the Kennecott Mines
To actually enter the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark, you must join a group tour led by a tour guide. This is to ensure the safety of visitors while going through such an old building. We joined the 2-hour Kennecott Mine Tour with St. Elias Alpine Guides, which took us from the very top of the mill down through its 14 stories.
We were given hard hats to wear, which, beyond ensuring our safety, really made us feel like miners! There were about 12 people on the tour with us—the perfect amount for a tour group, in our opinion. Our guide shared stories and photos of the immigrant workers who built this place and the innovations that made Kennecott a billion-dollar copper empire. There wasn’t a dull moment on this tour!
Visiting the mine is a must-do for anyone visiting Wrangell–St. Elias, though, be prepared for steep ladders and lots of walking. If you have any concerns about your ability to do this tour, don’t hesitate to reach out to the tour company.
4. Go Hiking on Root Glacier
Within walking distance from the town of Kennicott, the Root Glacier Trail is the most popular hike near McCarthy (quickly becoming one of our top hikes in Alaska). This 5.7-mile (9.2-km) out-and-back takes about 2.5–3 hours with 840 ft (256 m) of elevation gain, winding through alpine terrain before dropping you right off at the base of Root Glacier.
Once you reach the glacier, you’re free to explore as much as you like. The microspikes we brought were game changers for traction, but you can also rent crampons (similar to microspikes) and boots through St. Elias Alpine Guides. If you’re new to glacier hiking, this same company offers guided hikes of Root Glacier, though we found this glacier to be very beginner-friendly.
Dogs are allowed on the trail, but the sharp ice was a bit tough on our dog, Ollie’s paws, so we recommend bringing dog booties. The trail itself isn’t too difficult. As long as you take it slowly, trust your instincts, and avoid stepping in puddles (you can’t always tell how deep the cravases are), you’ll do great.
For another hiking option, the Bonanza Mine Trail is a strenuous 8.5-mile (13.5-km) out-and-back trail that takes about 7 to 8 hours to hike. Those who push through are rewarded with sweeping views of the Wrangell Mountains, alpine wildflowers in summer, and the chance to explore the ruins of the Bonanza Mine!
ℹ️ Use Trekking Poles! We highly recommend using trekking poles to help you navigate the sometimes uneven terrain and take some weight off of you.
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5. Visit the McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum
Back in downtown McCarthy, you’ll find the McCarthy–Kennicott Historical Museum, where you can learn about local history from the late 19th century to the present. This small, free museum is located in what used to be the Copper River & Northwestern Railroad depot and is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (hours vary).
We wandered into this small museum and spent about 30 minutes checking out their exhibits. On display were photos, old documents, artifacts, and more!
🪦 Visit the Local Cemetery! For more history, take a visit to the McCarthy Cemetery just a 5-minute walk from the museum, and take some time to read the headstones!
6. Visit the Wrangell Mountains Center
The Wrangell Mountains Center is a local nonprofit located in downtown McCarthy, offering educational programs focused on the natural and cultural history of the area. During your visit, check their website for workshops, lectures, guided nature walks, art classes, or other special events that might be going on.
Even if you’re not joining a program, the center is worth stopping by. You can browse their small library, check out interpretive exhibits, or relax in their cozy outdoor courtyard and chat with staff or other travelers.
7. Go Camping in McCarthy, Alaska
Below, we’ve compiled a list of campgrounds in and around McCarthy, Alaska. Whether you’re looking for free, primitive camping or glamping by a lake, McCarthy has something for you! In our case, we stayed one night at Base Camp Kennicott and spent the rest of our nights on free pull-offs off of McCarthy Road to save money.
| Campground | Price | About |
| Base Camp Kennicott | $35-45 | Foot of pedestrian bridge, no-frills campground, convenient location. |
| The Boneyard Campground | Free | No-frills campground in downtown McCarthy. |
| Glacier View Campground | $25-35 | Basic campground just off McCarthy Road before Base Camp Kennicott. |
| Camp McCarthy | $175+ | Glamping campground with riverside views |
| Jumbo Creek Campground, Glacier Campground, and Donoho Basin Group Campground. | Free | Basic campgrounds off of Root Glacier Trail. |
| Pull-offs on McCarthy Road (Various) | Free | Use iOverlander to explore free pull-offs on McCarthy Road where you can stay the night. |
💡 Along McCarthy Road and throughout Kennicott, there is ocassionaly private property. Be aware of signs to make sure you aren’t camping on non-public lands.
8. Join a Guided Experience with a Local Outfitter
Going on a guided experience with a local outfitter allows you to do an activity that you wouldn’t be able to do alone. Whether you’re interested in kayaking trips, horse riding, or even multi-day backcountry hikes, the NPS maintains a complete list of local and licensed guide companies here. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular guided experiences offered:
- Backpacking Trips: Multi-day backcountry routes (often fly-in or point-to-point) with logistics handled by your guide.
- Kayaking & Rafting: Paddle past glaciers and wildlife on guided lake tours like Kennicott Glacial Lake, or multi-day river expeditions down the Nizine, Copper, or Chitina rivers.
- Guided Hikes: Local experts lead glacier walks, historic mine hikes, and scenic ridge routes.
- Ice Climbing: Beginner-friendly glacier climbs to full alpine routes with instruction and gear included.
- Mountaineering: Technical summit expeditions on remote high peaks with full guiding support.
- Skiing (Backcountry & Touring): Spring fly-in ski trips with expert routing and avalanche awareness.
9. Walk Through Downtown McCarthy
Downtown McCarthy may be small, but simply walking in and around Main Street is a fun thing to do in and of itself. From vintage cars and saloon bars to quirky homes and old-west style buildings, exploring each corner of downtown McCarthy made us feel like we were walking through a time capsule.
10. Picnic by McCarthy Creek
If you’re looking for a peaceful way to unwind after exploring McCarthy and Kennicott, we recommend bringing a picnic down to McCarthy Creek. The creek runs just outside of town and has several scenic spots where you can sit along the water and enjoy the mountain backdrop. There are no official picnic tables here, so pack a blanket or camp chair and settle in wherever you like. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings!
11. Enjoy McCarthy’s Food Scene
For such a tiny town, McCarthy honestly blew us away with their food scene. The Potato is the star of the show. We ordered the Bangers & Mash, Salmon Roll, and Rosemary Garlic Curly Fries. The fries were hands-down our favorite and an absolute must-order. Jen loved her salmon roll, while Elliot says he’d skip the bangers & mash next time in favor of the Potato Head Burrito, which we heard locals rave about.
Other spots worth checking out in downtown McCarthy include Salmon & Bear for a fine dining option, The Golden Saloon for a drink and live music, and McCarthy Center Store for a quick bite or coffee to-go.
If you’re in Kennicott, Kennicott Glacier Lodge is your best sit-down option, while Meatza Wagon is a popular food truck if you’re craving something more casual.
🚗 How to Get to McCarthy, Alaska
McCarthy, Alaska is located 60 miles down McCarthy Road, which starts from the small town of Chitina, Alaska. If you’re driving it yourself, plan to take at least three hours one way, and remember that there’s no cell service for most of the route. While the road is rough in sections with potholes and uneven gravel, it’s improved in recent years and is generally manageable for most vehicles.
Throughout the entire drive, you’ll pass by scenic pullouts, interpretive signs, and even wildlife like moose, bears, and eagles. Around Mile 17 (km 27), you can look forward to crossing the one-lane Kuskulana Railroad Bridge, suspended nearly 240 feet (73 m) above the Kuskulana River.
At the end of the road, park at the designated lot ($12/day payment can be made at the Visitor Information building) and walk across the McCarthy Footbridge into the town of McCarthy. Carts are available to help carry your gear to the other side, marking the start of your exploration into McCarthy and then Kennicott.
ℹ️ Read our guide to driving McCarthy Road for more information on what to expect from McCarthy Road. If you’d rather not drive yourself, you can always take a shuttle or fly from Chitina to McCarthy Airport.
🏨 Lodging in McCarthy, Alaska
McCarthy, Alaska, offers a wide variety of accommodation options, from camping under the stars to cozying up in a cabin. Below we’ve broken down where you can stay the night, with some specific recs after each.
- Stay in McCarthy: Some of the most popular spots in McCarthy include Ma Johnson’s Hotel, McCarthy Guesthouse, and Blackburn Cabins.
- Stay in Kennicott: We’ve heard great things about Kennicott Glacier Lodge, right in downtown Kennicott.
- Camping: Refer to our camping in McCarthy section for a full list of both free and paid campgrounds in the McCarthy and Kennicott areas.
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🌤️ McCarthy, Alaska Weather
The most popular time to visit McCarthy, Alaska, is summer (June through August) when the days are long, most services are open, and roads and trails are fully accessible. This is the ideal time for hiking, glacier trekking, kayaking, flightseeing, and exploring the rest of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
- Summer (June to August): Summer is the sweet spot for most travelers. This is when adventure opportunities are at their peak, and the national park is at its most welcoming.
- Shoulder Seasons (May & Sept): The last half of May and the first half of September experience fewer visitors, while still offering doable weather conditions. The other half of these months, there’s usually snow on the ground.
- Winter (October to April): Winter transforms McCarthy, Alaska into a remote, frozen, and mostly inaccessible place. Nearly all services are closed, and accessing McCarthy requires careful planning.
🗓️ How Many Days in McCarthy, Alaska?
We spent a total of 2 full days in the McCarthy and Kennicott area before, which gave us enough time to drive down McCarthy Road, hike to Root Glacier, explore Kennicott, explore McCarthy, and take a flightseeing tour of with Wrangell Mountain Air of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park from downtown McCarthy. Here’s a breakdown of what you can do with different trip lengths in McCarthy:
- 1 Day: Visit Kennicott, tour (or view) the Kennecott Mines, and walk part of the Root Glacier Trail.
- 2 Days: Do everything from the 1-day plan, plus hike the Root Glacier Trail and explore downtown McCarthy with ease.
- 3 Days: Add in a flightseeing tour, enjoy more of McCarthy’s food scene, or take on a longer hike like Bonanza Mine.
- 4+ Days: Mix in backcountry adventures, full-day glacier tours, Nabesna Road exploring, or special programs going on in town.
📰 Related Articles
- How to Choose an Unforgettable Flightseeing Tour of Wrangell-St. Elias
- The 9 Best Hikes in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska
- How to Drive McCarthy Road to Wrangell-St. Elias: Step-by-Step
- How to See Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in 48 Hours
- 15 Things to Do in Wrangell-St. Elias: The Largest US National Park
- More Coming Soon!
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