Travel to McCarthy

McCarthy is an approximate 7-hour drive from Anchorage or Fairbanks. The landscape is striking, and there are many photographic opportunities along the way. From Chitina, you will travel the last 60 miles on the McCarthy Road, an unpaved road that follows the rail-bed of the defunct Copper River & Northwestern Railway.

For those looking to cut back on road time and enjoy a higher scenic view, we recommend driving to Chitina and taking a 45-minute flight to McCarthy with Wrangell Mountain Air. It is also possible to be a passenger on the mail plane (Copper Valley Air) or charter a flight from elsewhere in Alaska.

The Alaska Marine Highway Service operates numerous ferries that travel across the iconic Prince William Sound. You can connect Wrangell-St. Elias and the Kenai Peninsula through Valdez in the east and Whittier in the west. Book your ferry trip in advance to ensure availability and proper coordination with your itinerary.

The McCarthy Road ends at the west bank of the Kennicott River. Both McCarthy and Kennecott communities rest beyond a pedestrian footbridge; you will leave your car at the public parking area (for a small fee). There are scheduled shuttles that travel between the footbridge, McCarthy, the McCarthy Airstrip, and Kennecott. We recommend packing your gear in an easy-to- carry manner.

Accommodations and Meals

Lodging

Campgrounds

NPS Primitive camping is available at no cost to workshop participants at a site located just a short walk away from the WMC. Campers are welcome to use the rustic shower and other facilities at the Hardware Store, store gear, and borrow bear barrels, as supplies are available. WMC staff will direct and orient you to the campsite upon your arrival. Bears are present in McCarthy, and close adherence to responsible camping practices is expected.

Glacier View Campground has both tent sites and RV sites. There is a small eatery located on premises as well as basic amenities. It is located across the footbridge from McCarthy and is surrounded by scenic views of Wrangell St. Elias. It is about a 10 minute walk to the footbridge where you can take the shuttle to WMC or walk the road for 1 mile to arrive.

Base Camp Kennicott is located right on the river, with convenient access to the footbridge to McCarthy. They accomodate tents, cars, RVs, and trailers and no reservations are necessary.

Cabin/Room Rentals

Kennicott River Lodge offers five different cabins for renting. They have full amenities as well as an onsite espresso bar and cafe, and are located right on the edge of the Kennicott Glacier, for jaw dropping views. They are located about 1.5 miles from WMC, a short bicycle ride or 25 minute walk. Free shuttles run between the river and McCarthy on limited-hour rotation.

Blackburn Cabins are located about a 12 minute walk from WMC, off the wagon service road between McCarthy and Kennicott. They are neslted right beside the glacier and are optimum location for exploring the area on foot.

Other lodging options within McCarthy include the full service McCarthy Lodge, which includes Ma Johnson’s, the Kate Kennedy House, and Lancaster's Backpacker Hotel. All are located steps away from the WMC in downtown McCarthy.

If you have access to a vehicle and prefer to be away form the hustle and bustle of town, Currant Ridge Cabins sit on the McCarthy Road about 3 miles from the river.

Meals & Resources

Tasty homemade meals (largely vegetarian) are provided for participants in most workshops. Our diet is based primarily on our garden produce, homemade bread/baked goods, and organic grains, seeds, and beans. Every effort will be made to accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice. Our kitchen facility is not designed for people with potentially fatal nut allergies, but we could likely strategize a solution that would allow for full participation in programs. Workshop participants may be invited to contribute to chores connected with our organic garden or meal set-up/clean- up in keeping with the WMC’s commitment to cooperative living and sustainable systems.

The Hardware Store has filtered, cold running water and an outdoor, wood-fired hot water heater (Ernestine). There are two outhouses and an outdoor bucket-style shower. Laundry can be done in buckets, but there are no other laundry facilities available in McCarthy. Wood stoves provide our heat, and our electricity comes from solar panels supplemented by a generator if necessary. Electronics can be charged on a limited basis. Life at the Hardware Store is rich and abundant in many ways, but we must practice simple habits in our usage that conserve fuel and water.

Medical Needs

There is no advanced medical care available in McCarthy. Even minor medical needs may require prolonged, difficult, and expensive transportation to the nearest medical facility. Please bring extra prescription medicine with you and take extra precautions for your health and safety.

Local Businesses

Tourism Opportunities

  • Copper Oar: (rafting) 907-554-4453

  • Copper Valley Air: (mail plane travel) 907-822-4200

  • Kennicott Wilderness Guides: (glacier tours, ice climbing, backcountry trips, mountaineering) 907-554-4444

  • McCarthy Air: (flightseeing and backcountry drop-offs) 907-554-4440

  • McCarthy-Kennicott Historic Museum: (located in McCarthy)

  • McCarthy River Tours and Outfitters: (rafting) 907-554-1047

  • St. Elias Alpine Guides (SEAG): (mill tours, glacier tours, ice climbing, backcountry trips, mountaineering) 907-554-4445

  • Trek Alaska: (backcountry trips) 907-554-4554

  • Wrangell Mountain Air: (flightseeing, backcountry drop-offs, van shuttles to Kennecott) 907-554-4411

  • Wrangell-St. Elias National Park; Preserve Visitor Center: (located in Kennecott) 907-822-7476

Food

  • Glacier View Campground: (located on the McCarthy Road; hot showers, burgers, pizza, beer and wine) 907-243-6677

  • Kennicott Glacier Lodge: (located in Kennecott; full-service dining, breakfast, lunch, dinner, beer and wine) 907-258-2350

  • McCarthy Center: (located in McCarthy; small general store)

  • McCarthy Lodge: (located in McCarthy; fine dining) 907-554-4402

  • The New Golden Saloon: (located in McCarthy; restaurant and bar; occasional live music)

  • Nugget Liquors: (located in McCarthy)

  • The Potato: (located in McCarthy; specialty coffee drinks, burritos, sandwiches, burgers, fries)

Let us know if you have questions. We look forward to welcoming you to the Wrangell Mountains Center!