McCarthy Alaska feels like a place that time forgot. Tucked deep in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, this tiny historic town sits at the end of the remote McCarthy Road. Once a rough-and-tumble mining town, McCarthy is now a fascinating destination for travelers looking for history, wilderness, and a true off-the-grid Alaska experience.
We spent time exploring McCarthy and the nearby historic town of Kennecott, hiking toward the Kennicott Glacier, visiting the local museum, and wandering the dirt roads of town. What we found was much more than a stop at the end of a long gravel road.
From historic buildings and colorful characters to glaciers, hiking trails, local restaurants, and plenty of Alaska history, there are surprisingly many things to do in McCarthy Alaska.
Planning your drive? Getting to McCarthy is an adventure of its own. For everything you need to know about the 60-mile journey from Chitina, including road conditions, rental cars, driving tips, and what to expect along the way, see our complete guide to McCarthy Road.
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Table of Contents
Getting Around McCarthy
After nearly 60 miles of gravel, potholes, bridges, wildlife sightings, historic railroad remnants, and incredible scenery, reaching Mile 59 felt like an accomplishment. The scenic drive to McCarthy had finally brought us to the doorstep of one of Alaska’s most fascinating historic districts.
After crossing the footbridge, you’ll find an information board with details about transportation into McCarthy and Kennecott. Shuttle services are available for visitors who don’t want to walk the entire distance.
When we visited, Copper Town Shuttle provided free transportation from the footbridge to the McCarthy General Store and continued toward Kennecott. A separate Blackburn Heritage Shuttle also provided transportation between the footbridge, McCarthy, and Kennecott for a fee.
Most local tours and some lodging properties also offer pickup at the footbridge. If you’ve booked a tour or accommodation, check with the operator beforehand to find out where and when they’ll meet you.
Shuttle schedules can change, so check the current schedule when you arrive rather than relying on an older timetable.
For current shuttle information, you can also check the National Park Service shuttle information.
Things to Do in McCarthy Alaska
Despite its tiny size and remote location, McCarthy Alaska offers plenty to see and do. You can learn about the town’s colorful past, explore its historic buildings, browse local shops, hike into the surrounding wilderness, or simply wander the dirt roads and take in the unique atmosphere.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in and around McCarthy:
- Explore McCarthy’s history. Visit the McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum to learn about the town’s mining heritage, early settlers, and the people who helped shape this unusual community.
- Wander historic McCarthy. Take a walk through town and look at the historic buildings, including Ma Johnson’s Hotel and the McCarthy Mercantile. The rustic buildings and dirt streets give McCarthy its unmistakable frontier character.
- Learn about McCarthy’s colorful characters. The town’s history is filled with larger-than-life personalities. One of the most fascinating was Kate Kennedy, who became a well-known figure in McCarthy during the early 20th century.
- Browse local shops and galleries. McCarthy’s small collection of galleries and shops showcases local artwork, crafts, and souvenirs.
- Explore the surrounding wilderness. Hiking opportunities range from relatively easy walks to more challenging adventures, with glaciers, mountains, rivers, and boreal forest surrounding the town.
- Visit historic Kennecott. Just a short distance from McCarthy, the historic Kennecott mining town and concentration mill offer a fascinating look at Alaska’s copper-mining past.
- Get out on the glaciers. Guided adventures on Root Glacier provide an opportunity to experience the ice up close.
Visit Historic Kennecott
Just a few miles from McCarthy Alaska, the historic Kennecott mining town offers a fascinating glimpse into the area’s copper-mining past. Kennecott was once home to one of the world’s richest copper mines and is now one of the area’s major attractions. Want to learn more? See our complete guide to Kennecott Mines in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
We had booked a 9:30 a.m. guided tour, which gave us the opportunity to step inside the historic mining district and learn more about the people who lived and worked here. The buildings, mining equipment, and stories bring the history of this remote community to life.
Hike to Root Glacier
The Root Glacier is another highlight of a visit to the McCarthy-Kennecott area. The trail takes you through the boreal forest and across a landscape shaped by glaciers, eventually reaching the edge of the ice.
The trail is 2.5 miles one way from the trailhead to the glacier’s edge. We followed the scenic route toward the glacier, enjoying views of the surrounding mountains and the striking blue ice along the way.
For those wanting to go farther onto the glacier, guided glacier walks and ice-climbing adventures are available. We used St. Elias Alpine Guides for our glacier adventure.
Go Rafting Near McCarthy
For an adrenaline-filled adventure, consider a rafting trip on one of the area’s wild rivers. McCarthy River Tours & Outfitters offers rafting adventures on rivers including the Nizina and Kennicott.
The combination of rushing water, glaciers, and rugged Wrangell-St. Elias scenery makes rafting a memorable way to experience the wilderness around McCarthy.
McCarthy River Tours & Outfitters
Take a Flightseeing Tour
One of the best ways to appreciate the enormous scale of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is from the air. Flightseeing tours provide views of glaciers, towering mountains, and remote wilderness that are difficult to experience from the ground.
If you have the time and budget, Wrangell Mountain Air offers flightseeing adventures from the McCarthy area.
Hike the Wagon Road to the Toe of Kennicott Glacier
The Wagon Road offers another way to explore the area around McCarthy and Kennecott. The historic road was used in the early 1900s to transport copper ore from the Kennecott mines toward Cordova. Today, the 9.3-mile Wagon Road Trail continues all the way to Kennecott and the glacier area. You don’t have to hike the entire trail, though. We followed a shorter section that provides access to the Kennecott Cemetery and a spur leading toward the toe of Kennicott Glacier and its glacial lake.
Our shuttle driver recommended taking the spur to the glacier’s toe, telling us it was worth the extra effort. He was right. One of the best parts was simply stopping for a few minutes and listening to the ice. The sound of the glacier calving in the distance made the experience even more memorable.
From the museum, we followed the road for about 1,000 feet before looking for the small red sign marking the route toward the glacier. The trail continues through the boreal forest before reaching the Wagon Road. From there, it’s about three-quarters of a mile to the turn toward the glacier’s toe.
The entire hike to the toe is approximately 1.5 miles one way. At the end of the trail, the forest opens up to a glacial lake with views of the ice and surrounding mountains. An unofficial route continues farther along the glacial moraine, but we stopped at the lake.
Keep in mind that you’re hiking in bear country. Make noise as you walk, stay alert, and give wildlife plenty of space. Carrying bear spray is also a wise precaution when hiking in this remote area.
PRO Tip: We recommend bringing polarized sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and lip balm. The combination of sun, wind, and mosquitoes can make a difference on a long day hiking the glacier.
Wander Historic McCarthy
McCarthy has a laid-back, frontier feel that makes it unlike almost anywhere else we’ve visited. Many of the town’s historic buildings date back to its mining days, and wandering the main road gives you a chance to see that history up close.
After our mine tour and hike to Root Glacier, we spent some time walking around town. I enjoyed looking at the weathered buildings, including McCarthy Hardware Store and Ma Johnson’s Hotel. You can’t help but wonder about the people who walked these same roads decades ago and what stories those old buildings could tell.
McCarthy also struck us as one of the most dog-friendly places we’ve visited. We saw people traveling with their dogs everywhere—from the roads around town to the trails leading into the surrounding wilderness. It was just another part of McCarthy’s relaxed, anything-goes character.
Visit the McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum
When we visited the McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum, we weren’t expecting such an interesting collection in such a small building. The exhibits cover McCarthy’s early days, the copper-mining era, and the people who helped shape this unusual community.
The museum doesn’t take long to explore, but we found plenty to keep our attention. The artifacts and stories helped put the town we had just been walking through into perspective.
We also had a little entertainment during our visit. A staff member’s new puppy followed us around the museum. He told us the puppy had a habit of wandering down the road to The Potato, where it would climb onto the tables and help itself to food from unsuspecting customers. That story alone gave us a pretty good feel for the laid-back personality of McCarthy.
If you have questions about the exhibits, talk to the museum staff. We had a great conversation with one of the staff members about McCarthy’s early history, including the role that bootlegging, gambling, and brothels played in the community.
The museum is small, but don’t rush through it. Taking a little time to talk with the people who know McCarthy’s history made our visit much more interesting.
Where to Stay in McCarthy Alaska
Because McCarthy Alaska is so remote, lodging options are limited. During the busy summer season, it’s a good idea to reserve your room or cabin well ahead of your visit.
Ma Johnson’s Hotel
Ma Johnson’s Hotel is one of the most recognizable historic buildings in McCarthy. It’s right in the heart of town and offers visitors the chance to stay in a place with plenty of history and character.
There’s also a fun story behind why we haven’t stayed there—yet.
The following year, we entered a Travel Alaska sweepstakes and were surprised to find out we’d won! The prize included several nights at Ma Johnson’s along with an all-expenses-paid Alaska experience valued at about $5,000.
Unfortunately, there was one problem. We couldn’t find a boarding situation that worked for Sage. He has always been very attached to us and would have been miserable being boarded for that long. As much as we wanted to go, we ultimately had to turn down the prize and asked Travel Alaska to give it to someone else.
Before giving it up, we called Neil, the owner of Ma Johnson’s, to explain the situation. He was incredibly understanding and kind, which made us feel even better about having to pass on the trip.
So, we still haven’t stayed at Ma Johnson’s—but someday we will. And when we do, we’ll have one heck of a story behind the reservation.
McCarthy Lodge
McCarthy Lodge offers rooms and cabins just outside the heart of town. The lodge also has a restaurant and bar, making it a convenient option if you’d like to stay close to McCarthy’s restaurants and activities.
Blackburn Cabins
Blackburn Cabins offers small log cabins along the Wagon Road. The location puts you within walking distance of McCarthy while also providing easy access to the Kennicott Glacier area. The cabins include kitchenettes, and community shower facilities are available.
Kennicott Glacier Lodge
Kennicott Glacier Lodge is located in historic Kennecott rather than McCarthy. The lodge offers comfortable accommodations surrounded by the mountains and Kennicott Glacier. There’s also an on-site restaurant and bar, making it possible to stay right in the historic mining district.Where to Eat in McCarthy Alaska
Where to Eat in McCarthy Alaska
For such a small and remote town, McCarthy Alaska has some surprisingly good places to eat. Options are limited, especially compared with larger Alaska destinations, but the local restaurants and food trucks offer everything from hearty meals to tacos and baked potatoes.
The Potato
The Potato was one of our favorite stops for food in McCarthy. We had a great meal, but what really stood out was the hospitality. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere felt relaxed and casual.
The menu centers around baked potatoes with a variety of toppings, along with burgers, sandwiches, and some seriously good fries. We loved the food and the friendly service, and it’s the kind of place where you can easily settle in and enjoy the experience rather than just grab a quick meal.
If you’re spending time in McCarthy, we’d definitely put The Potato on your list.
The Golden Saloon
The Golden Saloon is a historic McCarthy bar and restaurant serving classic American fare. You’ll find burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other hearty options, along with beer and cocktails.
It’s a good place to grab a meal and experience some of McCarthy’s local atmosphere.
Meatza Wagon
Meatza Wagon is a locally owned food truck serving tacos and other casual fare. We stopped here for lunch and enjoyed our meal. It’s another good option when you’re looking for something quick and casual while exploring town.
Ma Johnson’s Hotel
Ma Johnson’s Hotel also offers meals for guests and visitors. The menu includes home-style dishes such as fried chicken, meatloaf, and mashed potatoes.
Tips for Visiting McCarthy Alaska
A visit to McCarthy Alaska takes a little planning. This is a remote community with limited services, so it’s better to arrive prepared rather than assume you’ll find everything you need once you’re there.
Bring the essentials. Pack enough food, water, clothing, and other supplies for your stay. Fuel and other necessities are limited, so plan ahead before making the trip.
Book tours in advance. If you’re planning to visit historic Kennecott or take a guided glacier tour, check schedules and reserve your spot ahead of time. We had a morning mine tour booked, so arriving on time was important after the long drive.
Plan your transportation. After crossing the footbridge, you’ll need to walk or use a shuttle to reach McCarthy and Kennecott. Shuttle schedules can change, so check the current schedule when you arrive. If your lodging or tour offers pickup at the footbridge, confirm the arrangements beforehand.
Expect a different pace. McCarthy isn’t a polished resort town, and that’s part of its charm. The dirt roads, historic buildings, limited services, and laid-back atmosphere are all part of the experience. Come prepared, slow down, and enjoy being somewhere a little off the beaten path.
Final Thoughts: Visiting McCarthy Alaska
Our visit to McCarthy Alaska was about much more than reaching the end of a remote road. We found a town with a fascinating history, welcoming people, quirky characters, good food, and an incredible wilderness right outside its door.
We enjoyed wandering the dirt roads, exploring the museum, visiting historic Kennecott, hiking toward Kennicott Glacier, and sitting quietly long enough to hear the glacier calving in the distance. Even something as simple as having a great meal and talking with people at The Potato became part of the experience.
McCarthy isn’t polished, and that’s exactly what makes it special. It’s a place where historic buildings, muddy trails, glaciers, dogs wandering around town, and larger-than-life stories all seem to fit together.
If you’re willing to make the journey, McCarthy Alaska is one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left. We certainly haven’t seen the last of it. Someday, we’re going back—and hopefully, we’ll finally get that stay at Ma Johnson’s.
Have you visited McCarthy Alaska? We’d love to hear about your experience! What was your favorite part of exploring this remote corner of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park? Leave us a comment and share your McCarthy adventure!
