McCarthy Alaska Trip Planner
Your Complete Guide to Visiting McCarthy, Alaska
How to get here, where to stay, what to pack, and the best things to do in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Plan Your McCarthy Adventure with Confidence
Welcome to your comprehensive McCarthy Alaska trip planner, designed to help you confidently plan your visit to Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. Whether you’re driving the historic McCarthy Road, flying in by bush plane, and/or visiting Wrangell-St. Elias for the first time, this trip planner provides everything you need for smooth planning and an unforgettable adventure.
Below you’ll find practical advice on reaching McCarthy, the best places to stay, what to pack for different activities, optimal timing for your visit, and the top things to do once you arrive. This resource is built by guides who live and work here, taking the guesswork out of planning so you can focus on the journey and the wilderness waiting at the end of the road.
Why McCarthy River Tours
In Alaska’s backcountry, experience and attention to detail matter significantly. Changing weather patterns, glacier-fed rivers with fluctuating levels, and remote terrain require careful planning and guides who understand how conditions evolve throughout the day.
This approach earned McCarthy River Tours recognition as Best River Rafting in the United States by the World Luxury Travel Awards (2025), reflecting our commitment to thoughtful trip design and professional guide service in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
What Sets Us Apart
We’re the only outfitter providing professional dry suits to all participants. In glacier-fed waters, this equipment is fundamental to comfort and safety.
Industry-leading guide-to-guest ratio with a maximum of 10 guests per trip. This allows true wilderness immersion without crowded conditions.
As pioneers of several backcountry river routes, our expertise runs as deep as the rivers we navigate. Years of experience in this specific region means we understand seasonal patterns, wildlife behavior, and how to read changing conditions.
By maintaining small group sizes and low guide ratios, each trip can move at a natural pace and respond to actual conditions on the ground. This creates a calmer, more personal experience for guests and allows our guides to focus on timing, terrain, and the moments that make exploring Wrangell-St. Elias genuinely memorable.
For additional trip-planning resources including lodging, dining, history, and local insight, explore our comprehensive guides at Explore McCarthy.
How to Get to McCarthy, Alaska
Getting to McCarthy requires planning, but the process is straightforward once you understand your options. Whether you’re driving the McCarthy Road, flying in by bush plane, or using a shuttle from Anchorage or Glennallen, several reliable routes reach this remote town.
This guide walks through each option so you can choose the approach that best fits your schedule, comfort level, and travel style.
Driving to McCarthy, Alaska
The most popular way to reach McCarthy is by driving the scenic McCarthy Road. This 60-mile gravel route begins in Chitina and winds through forests, river valleys, and sections of the old Copper River Northwestern Railway grade before ending at the Kennicott River footbridge.
Typical Drive Times:
- Anchorage to McCarthy: 7-8 hours (315 miles via Glenn Highway and Edgerton Highway)
- Glennallen to McCarthy: 3-4 hours (120 miles)
The road is well-maintained during summer months but remains gravel throughout. Expect potholes, occasional washboard sections, narrow shoulders, and dust. The drive rewards those who take their time with views of the Wrangell Mountains, the Copper and Chitina Rivers, and glimpses of wildlife along one of Alaska’s most distinctive backcountry drives.
McCarthy Road Conditions & Practical Tips
What to Expect:
- Gravel surface with variable conditions (potholes, dips, washboards)
- Narrow sections requiring defensive driving
- Roadside pullouts offering expansive views
- Wildlife crossings (moose, bears, caribou)
- Soft shoulders requiring attention
Recommended Preparations:
- Carry a full-size spare tire (flats are uncommon but possible)
- Check tire pressure before departure
- Drive during daylight hours for best visibility (not hard in the midnight sun)
- Allow extra time for wildlife viewing and photo stops
- There is a fuel station (Gas & Diesel) at the end of the McCarthy Road, often at better prices than Chitina.
Important Rental Car Note:
Not all rental car companies permit travel on the McCarthy Road. Some prohibit gravel road travel entirely, while others allow it with specific vehicle types. Contact us for an updated list of rental companies that approve McCarthy Road travel, or verify directly with your rental agency before departure.
Flying to McCarthy, Alaska
If you prefer to skip the long drive, a bush plane flight to McCarthy is quick, scenic, and surprisingly accessible. Flights operate from Chitina, Glennallen, or Anchorage depending on season and service availability.
Flight Options:
From Chitina:
Daily flights into McCarthy via Wrangell Mountain Air. This is the shortest flight option (approximately 20 minutes) and provides dramatic views of the Chitina River valley and surrounding peaks.
From Glennallen:
Scheduled and charter flights via Copper Valley Air. Flight time approximately 45 minutes with views of the Wrangell-St. Elias massif.
From Anchorage:
Twice-weekly mail flights (Monday and Thursday) via Reeve Air and Copper Valley Air. This option combines practicality with flightseeing, though weather can occasionally delay departures.
Flying is the fastest and most stress-free way to reach the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The aerial perspective also provides context for understanding the landscape’s scale that becomes apparent once you’re on the ground.
Shuttle & Transit Options
Several shuttle services operate between Anchorage, Glennallen, and McCarthy, providing alternatives to self-driving:
- Overflow Transit:
Van shuttles between Anchorage, Glennallen, and McCarthy. Reliable service with experienced drivers familiar with the McCarthy Road. - Soaring Eagle Transit: Connects Anchorage, Glennallen, and Valdez. Useful if combining McCarthy with other Alaska destinations.
- Interior Alaska Bus Line: Anchorage to Glennallen service that connects with other transportation options for the final leg to McCarthy.
- Kennicott Shuttle:
Daily service between Glennallen and McCarthy during peak season. Convenient for travelers flying into or staying in Glennallen.
Whether you choose to fly, shuttle, or drive yourself, getting to McCarthy is part of what makes visiting Alaska’s largest national park memorable. The journey itself provides introduction to the landscape’s scale and remoteness.
Where to Stay in McCarthy & Kennicott
McCarthy and Kennicott offer lodging options ranging from riverside cabins and small lodges to campgrounds set among glaciers and mountains. Whether you’re seeking a convenient home base close to town or a quieter place to settle after a day exploring, McCarthy Alaska lodging options exist to match different travel styles and budgets.
Kennicott River Lodge (Most Convenient Location)
For travelers wanting proximity to activities and services, Kennicott River Lodge offers the best combination of comfort, location, and logistical convenience. Located minutes from the footbridge, the lodge provides direct access to the shuttle system, McCarthy, and Kennecott.
Amenities:
- Private cabins and lodge suites
- Drive directly to your accommodation (no footbridge crossing with luggage)
- Steps from the footbridge and McCarthy River Tours office
- Glacier views from the property
- On-site dining options
This location is particularly favored by travelers prioritizing convenience and wanting to minimize logistical complications while exploring McCarthy and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Glacier View Campground
For campers and RV travelers, Glacier View Campground offers convenient access to town, spacious sites, and the natural setting visitors seek in Alaska.
Features:
- Scenic campsites near the Kennicott River
- Quick check-in access for guided trips
- On-site breakfast and coffee at As the Glacier Melts Café
- Adjacent dining at Glacier View Grill
- Full hookups available for RVs
The campground balances rugged Alaska camping with practical amenities, providing an authentic experience without sacrificing necessary comforts.
Other Lodging Options
Additional accommodations exist in both McCarthy and Kennicott, including:
- Historic Kennicott Glacier Lodge (located in the mill town)
- Small cabin rentals and vacation properties
- Backcountry camping options for experienced visitors
For comprehensive lodging information, current availability, and booking assistance, visit Explore McCarthy’s accommodation directory.
Frequently Asked Questions About McCarthy Alaska Visits
The most popular McCarthy Alaska day tours include whitewater rafting on the Kennicott River, private Root Glacier hikes, glacier lake kayaking among icebergs, and scenic fly-out adventures. These experiences offer optimal combinations of scenery, accessibility, and adventure in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Each activity provides different perspectives on the landscape: rafting reveals river valleys and canyon geology, glacier hiking offers direct ice contact, kayaking provides quiet water exploration, and fly-out trips access remote terrain unreachable by foot.
Plan for variable conditions by dressing in warm, layered clothing. Avoid cotton, which retains moisture and loses insulating properties when wet. Synthetic or wool base layers work best.
Essential items include:
– Warm layers (fleece or down)
– Rain jacket and pants
– Sunglasses and sunscreen (glacier reflection intensifies UV exposure)
– Lightweight gloves
– Sturdy water bottle
For rafting trips, we provide complete drysuit systems, PFDs, and required technical gear, ensuring you’re properly equipped for cold water and changing weather throughout your Alaska day tour.
McCarthy and Kennicott sit within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States at 13.2 million acres (six times larger than Yellowstone). Despite this extraordinary landscape, the area receives far fewer visitors than destinations like Denali.
Travelers choose McCarthy for:
-Quieter pace without cruise ship crowds
-Direct access to glaciers and rivers
-Small-group tours allowing flexibility
-Authentic Alaska experience without heavy infrastructure
-Historic copper mining context providing cultural depth
The remote location and limited infrastructure mean the wilderness experience remains genuine and uncrowded.
Yes. Many McCarthy Alaska guided day trips accommodate beginners and families. We offer graduated difficulty levels from calm glacier lake paddling and accessible glacier hikes to introductory whitewater rafting designed for first-time participants.
Our guides provide thorough orientation, appropriate equipment, and clear instruction tailored to your experience level. The small group structure allows personalized attention and pacing adjustments based on your comfort and capabilities.
We offer both half-day and full-day tour options. Durations range from 4-hour experiences (glacier hikes, rafting trips, kayaking) to 7-8 hour fly-out adventures accessing remote backcountry locations.
This flexibility allows you to experience the best things to do in McCarthy Alaska even with limited time, while also providing options for travelers wanting more comprehensive full-day immersion.
Absolutely. Many guests combine complementary activities such as rafting and glacier hiking, or kayaking and ice exploration, creating custom two-day McCarthy adventures.
This approach provides varied perspectives on the landscape while maintaining manageable daily durations. Our team can help design itineraries that sequence activities logically based on weather patterns, your interests, and physical comfort levels.
Combining activities is often the most effective way to experience multiple facets of Wrangell-St. Elias at a comfortable pace.
Ready to Plan Your McCarthy Adventure?
Whether you’re visiting for a day or a week, McCarthy and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park offer experiences that reveal Alaska’s scale, beauty, and wildness. With proper planning, your trip can focus on exploration and discovery rather than logistical concerns.
Contact us at 888-609-RAFT for personalized trip planning assistance, current conditions updates, and answers to questions specific to your travel dates and interests.
McCarthy sits at the end of a 60-mile gravel road in America’s largest national park. The journey to get here is part of the experience.