Transport + Lodging
Here's what you can expect on the trip out to the REAL Alaska
Our friends at Kennicott Glacier Lodge made this awesome video to show you how to get here and what it’s like out here. Check it out!
Transport
There are a few different ways to get to McCarthy-Kennecott: wheels or wings – driving or flying! Or a combination of the two…
You can drive your own car or rental vehicle on the highway to the town of Chitina, where the final 60 miles of gravel road begins, known as the McCarthy Road. Traveling East through the wilderness, this gravel road will take you straight to McCarthy.
There are also several van shuttle companies that provide service to McCarthy. Driving or riding in a van shuttle in Alaska is very picturesque so plan some extra time for scenic stops along the way!
How far is it to…?
Anchorage – 307mi – 8-9hrs
Fairbanks – 371mi – 8hrs
Valdez – 180mi – 5hrs
Glennallen – 127mi – 3.5hrs
Chitina – 62mi – 2-3hrs
Driving is recommended if:
- You live in Alaska and have your own vehicle
- You are road-tripping across the State
- You are traveling spontaneously, without an itinerary, and are prepared to camp
- You want maximum independence
THE MCCARTHY ROAD
The last 62mi of the drive is the infamous McCarthy Road! Put down right over top of the old CRNW Railroad, this twisty road cuts through the Wrangells and into the center of Wrangell – St. Elias National Park. Most vehicles have no problem on this road, however, 4-wheel drive and/or higher clearance can help you go faster over potholes and frost heaves, and through mud and loose gravel. The McCarthy Road gets graded a couple of times a summer, making for a smoother ride. Very occasionally, delays may be caused by flooding or mudslides and it’s not uncommon to pop a tire! If you drive the McCarthy Road you do so at your own risk and you should be prepared to change your own tire with both the skills and equipment to do so. Check out the National Parks Services’ Road Guide and consider downloading it or printing it out to have with you for the drive.
RENTAL CARS
Be aware that most rental car companies will not cover their vehicles on the McCarthy Road! Try contacting GoNorth Rentals, Midnight Sun Rentals, or Alaska 4×4 – these local companies allow their vehicles to be driven on gravel roads without restriction. Budget and Enterprise may also have some vehicles they will allow to drive the McCarthy Road – check with them for details. Turo has also become a popular option for those wanting to drive here!
All rentals should be allowed to the town of Chitina. There are daily transport options available, van shuttle and bush plane, to McCarthy from here and a place to leave your vehicle.
LEAVE VEHICLE AT THE FOOTBRIDGE
The McCarthy Road ends when it hits the Kennicott River – you made it! You’ll see a narrow steel bridge across the river – this is “the Footbridge” that everyone refers to. You’ll need to park your vehicle on the West side of the river and leave it there for the duration of your stay – no outside vehicles are permitted in McCarthy-Kennecott. Most people park at Base Camp Kennicott, the large campground/parking lot at the end of the road. Your lodging accommodations may give you special instructions on where to park, but let us know if you need any more help. Stop by the Visitor Center at the end of the road to talk to our staff, get a map, and ask any questions about the area!
The East, or McCarthy side of the Footbridge is one of the pick-up spots for many of our activities that have transportation included.
VAN SHUTTLES
The Kennicott Shuttle offers daily van service from Glennallen to McCarthy in the morning and back in the late afternoon with stops along the way in both directions. Their site also has good information about connecting services to and from Anchorage and other destinations.
Overflow Transit offers a scheduled service between Anchorage and McCarthy during the summer. Check out their website for their up-to-date schedule and pricing. This is a great option for solo travelers since there is no minimum passenger requirement to book!
Flying in a bush plane is quintessentially Alaskan and incredibly scenic – a great way to experience a landscape of this scale! Be aware the airstrip in McCarthy is NOT centrally located or within an easy walk of most accommodations, businesses, and restaurants in the area. Please coordinate with your lodging accommodations, us, or the air service to make sure you get a ride wherever you need to go upon arrival by air!
Wrangell Mountain Air
Wrangell Mountain Air, our local air taxi, offers three daily half-hour flights between Chitina and McCarthy. You can leave your vehicle parked at the Chitina airport and avoid the McCarthy Road altogether! Wrangell Mountain Air also offers charter flights to and from Anchorage and other destinations within Alaska. Their aircraft can usually fit 1-5 people, but they can accommodate bigger groups with multiple aircraft. Once in the park, they are the go-to service for flightseeing!
The Mail Plane
Reeve Air Alaska and Copper Valley Air Service
Reeve Air Alaska offers air charters between Anchorage, McCarthy as well as other Alaskan destinations with their twin-engine aircraft. Their bigger planes are best suitable for groups of 6-8.
On Mondays and Thursdays, they partner with Copper Valley Air Service to deliver mail to McCarthy. The “Mail Plane” can take passengers! It only takes 2.5hr between Anchorage and McCarthy, even with a short stop and plane change in Gulkana. The Mail Plane is usually the cheapest way to fly to McCarthy from Anchorage. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, these air taxis offer the same service for the same price, just without the mail!
Copper Valley Air Service is based in Gulkana and also offers chartered flights and flightseeing, specializing in the Western side of the Park.
If you have your own vehicle or are getting a rental for driving around Alaska, there are a couple of options for pairing a shorter drive with a short flight to get to and from McCarthy.
The Gulkana Airport is located on the western edge of Wrangell – St. Elias National Park, just north of Glennallen, on the highway system. Copper Valley Air Service offers flights to McCarthy, and most days of the week, you can hop on a scheduled flight for an unbeatable rate. You can leave your vehicle at the airport.
Chitina is located on the southwestern edge of the Park and is also on the highway system. Wrangell Mountain Air offers 3 daily flights between Chitina and McCarthy – one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the early evening. The Chitina Airport has parking where you can leave your vehicle.
Lodging
There are a few different options for lodging in McCarthy, Kennecott, on the West side of the Footbridge, and along the McCarthy Road. They range from a nice lodge or guest house to rustic cabins and campgrounds. Note that because the entire town is so remote and completely off the grid, utilities like electricity, wifi, and indoor plumbing are considered luxuries in our neck of the woods, and prices reflect this. Most accommodations require a two-night minimum stay.
Here are our favorite local lodging options…
The McCarthy Guesthouse is the most comfortable place to stay in McCarthy. Just a 5-minute walk to the 3 restaurants in town, the bar, the coffee shop, the mercantile and our headquarters, you’ll be able to walk to any event in town – live music, open mic night, or community softball! Both units feature en-suite bathrooms, electricity, heat, and wifi and sleep 5-6. The upstairs, Spruce Moose unit also features a full kitchen.
Ma Johnson’s Hotel & Lancaster’s Backpacker Hotel
Ma Johnson’s Hotel is a historic hotel in downtown McCarthy. Because it’s a historic building, the rooms are small and cozy, and bathrooms and showers are shared, just down the hall. Outlets can be found in the lobby, and Wi-Fi is provided for guests. A hot breakfast is included, and a full meal package is also available. Ma Johnson’s is centrally located within a minute’s walk of local eateries, the museum, the mercantile, our headquarters, and the local shuttle bus stop.
Lancaster’s Hotel is under the same management and is located just down the street from Ma Johnson’s – these rooms are less expensive, are a bit smaller and simpler, and they have shared bathrooms as well.
Tucked away in the woods just outside of McCarthy. Each rustic cabin has 1-2 queen beds with memory foam mattresses, a small sink, a propane burner as well as a desk and USB outlets. Guests share nearby outhouses, shower houses, outdoor grill-kitchens, and firepits. Blackburn Cabins is one of the most affordable places to stay in town and just a 15 min walk from McCarthy.
Nestled near the toe of the Kennicott Glacier, you’ll wake up to stunning valley views. In your private cabin you’ll have access to upscale amenities, including a gas fireplace, a tiled walk-in shower, and lux linens. Breakfast is included in their main Hall. A quick 15 minute walk to McCarthy, you can also enjoy live music and local cuisine. But with the quality of The Great St. Elias Station’s food and drinks, you might find it hard to leave!
The historic Kennicott Glacier Lodge is long-time family-owned and is the most comfortable place to stay in Kennecott where evenings are a little quieter. This traditional lodge is located right in “downtown” Kennecott, with fabulous views of the Kennicott Glacier and 16,390ft Mt. Blackburn off its fabulous deck. Some rooms have private baths and others (slightly less expensive) have shared toilets and showers down the hall. They prepare delicious, hearty meals and dinner is served family-style each night at 7 pm. Classic and comfortable. Right in the center of the old mining town, you’ll be just across the street from our Kennecott Office and just down the street from the other red buildings and local trailheads.
Base Camp Kennecott Campground
Base Camp Kennecott (BCK) is the easiest place to camp and is recommended for those with a very loose itinerary. The campground is filled on a first-come-first-served basis with an open space concept, so there are no designated camping sites – campers can almost always find a spot, even on the busiest weekends! Impossible to miss, this is the big campground on either side of the road at the very end of the McCarthy Rd, right in front of the Footbridge.
BCK also has a designated parking area where you can park your vehicle while visiting McCarthy/Kennecott.
We staff the Visitor Center there for part of the day so you’re welcome to come say hello or ask your questions at our satellite office on the West Side!
Friendly Dennis at the McCarthy Cabins offers guests a true Alaska experience with incredible comfort and charm. Tucked into the woods, each cabin has a kitchenette, a charging station for small devices, filtered drinking water, a private shower house, and a well-maintained outhouse. Located a couple of miles before the end of the McCarthy Road, you’ll need to be driving your own vehicle to access these cozy cabins.
Camp McCarthy offers an unforgettable glamping experience along the Kennicott River. Spacious canvas tents with covered porches house luxury mattresses and bedding, while a shared pavilion offers hot showers along with stunning river valley views. Enjoy a shared eating space, fire pit, yard games, and nature trail during your stay. Camp McCarthy requires vehicle access, so best for those driving the McCarthy Road.
Cozy, budget-friendly cabins with private bathrooms and showers are located just 1/2 mi from the Footbridge! One cabin has its own kitchen, but all guests are welcome to use the communal kitchen and dining area, firepit, and covered outdoor grill area. A basic breakfast of cereal and milk, breads and spreads, and hot drinks is offered to guests of the BnB. McCarthy BnB can be accessed easily on foot from the Footbridge, so a great option for folks driving themselves, arriving by van shuttle or bush plane. Just make sure you can carry all your luggage as roller bags will not be able to handle the 1/2 mile on gravel…
Run by the long-time local Shidner family, these well-built and comfortable cabins boast running water, a full kitchen and bathroom, a bedroom, and a pull-out sofa. Located approximately 3 miles out the McCarthy Road, this location is best for those driving. The complex has beautiful views, a huge yard and garden (that guests can occasionally sample from), and friendly and accommodating hosts.
Situated at the foot of Fireweed Mountain, this owner-operated Lodge provides its guests with a true glimpse into off-the-grid living! Choose between lodging with ‘Creature Comforts’ (bedding, towels, and access to centrally located showers/bathrooms.) or ‘Just the Cabin’ (you provide bedding and swap access to showers/bathrooms for access to an outhouse!). Whichever option you choose get ready for a clean and peaceful stay!
AREA MAP
We’ve made a map of the local area to help you get around! You can pick up a paper copy at the Visitor Center at the end of the McCarthy Road or in our office in Kennecott. You can also download a digital copy here.
TRIP PLANNING SERVICES
We understand that this can be a difficult place to plan for, so we’re here to help!
If you’re booking a Multi-day Backpacking, Rafting, Packrafting, or Mountaineering Trip two or more months in advance, consider upgrading to our Trip Package Services and we’ll coordinate all of your lodging and transportation logistics for you! Trip planning made easy!
If you’re doing your own planning, we still recommend that you contact us before finalizing your plans to make sure everything lines up! Let us know if you have questions regarding your logistics!