Here are the top three things that our friends and family tell us made their visit to McCarthy, Alaska one of the most unforgettable travel experiences. 

Located in a national park of superlatives:

The land now known as the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve was first featured by the National Geographic Society in May 1891, with subsequent expeditions over the next century.  In 1978 the area was designated as part of a United Nations World Heritage site that is the largest internationally protected wildland on Earth.  In 1980, it also became the largest U.S. national park, boasting 13.2 million acres of wilderness shaped by the competing forces of volcanism and glaciation.  With four converging mountain ranges - the Alaska, Chugach, Wrangell and St. Elias - and our nation’s largest glacial system - over 125 glaciers - this majestic, peaked landscape alive with wildlife and over 1,200 species of plants offers visitors an unparalleled experience of nature’s grandeur. What’s great is that there are several professional outfitters and experienced guides operating in the McCarthy-Kennecott area. They offer tours and excursions for all skill levels to explore the park on foot or by plane, boat, raft or paddle board.  

Vibrant community:

We agree with the Lonely Planet description, “Alaska doesn't lack isolated frontier towns that act as magnets for a colorful cast of folk who want to live away from everything, and nor does it suffer a paucity of tourist destinations. But it's a rare place that manages to bridge the gap between these two identities – a spot that is authentically on the edge of civilization, yet welcomes those curious folk who want to peep in on the raw, wild pulse of the Alaskan bush. Enter McCarthy. Once the red-light district and drinking strip for bored miners bivouacked at the ‘dry’ mining town of Kennecott, today this is an intersection of muddy streets and a few dozen locals and seasonal workers, who work hard, play harder, and generally live life with an unvarnished gusto that's a joy to witness. It helps that they live in a valley that could give Eden a fit of jealousy.”  With weekly live music, open mic nights, local artists, talented chefs, yogis and masseuses - McCarthy offers good times, good food, inspiration and relaxation. We would be happy to share information about local activities and events taking place during your stay.  

Turn of the Century history:

Today, McCarthy-Kennecott towns are situated in the heart of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. But, in the early 1900s when this area was a U.S. territory and not yet a state, prospectors found copper and began to mine. From 1911 to 1938, nearly $200 million worth of copper was processed from Kennecott.  The copper was hauled out on the Copper River and Northwestern Railway, the railbed is now the McCarthy Road.  At the height of operation, approximately 300 people worked in the mill town and 200-300 in the mines.  Kennecott was a self-contained company town that included a hospital, general store, school, skating rink, tennis court, recreation hall, and dairy.  Down the hill from ‘dry’ Kennecott, McCarthy town became a red light district for miners and mill town residents go for booze and fun. The two towns grew symbiotic of each other as they supported the frontier’s development interest. You can join guided historical walking tours in Kennecott.