Not my favorite national park but had to check it off the list while in Alaska! We visited the Kennicot mines and took a tour as our park experience. Very interesting history, restoration, and the guided tour was great. We took two shuttles because everyone warned us against the road into the park (4hrs each way). Once there we spent 4hrs walking the old miner town. 8 hours of commuting for 4 hours in the park wasn’t ideal. There is a diner and hotel there which we had a nice lunch. Spend the night if you can make it work with your itinerary.

What an absolutely beautiful National park. I don't think you could go wrong at all by taking a little bit of time on your schedule to visit Wrangler St Elias. Just a few short steps and you can be deep into the Wilderness to enjoy the views surrounding you. Hiking trails are well marked. The visitors center clean and helpful. Honestly do yourself a favor and visit you won't regret it.

The road to McCarthy wasn’t bad, a few sections of washboard. The worst area was just before McCarthy. The park is always magnificent. Well worth the drive. The “end of the road” base camp is a fine place to camp, but they don’t provide ANY amenities (no picnic tables) crude fire rings and sparse outhouses, but nice views

Amazing place, highly recommend doing a flight seeing tour or backcountry camping if you can swing it!

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park can be challenging to adequately review. On one hand, it's one of the most stunning landscapes in the world; it's home to some of the largest mountains in North America, the world's largest vertical icefall, and over 1900 square miles of the seemingly infinite Bagley Icefield. The list of impressive geological features goes on and on. On the other hand, it is nearly impossible to experience most of our largest National Park. You could see most of it by air, but that's impersonal and abstract (although strongly recommended). Most visitors see it from McCarthy or Nabesna. Even fewer backpack into the remote wilderness. There are no towns, no roads, and no trails for almost all 13.2 million acres of this preserve All that being said, Wrangell-St. Elias has risen to the top of my favorite National Parks. It is challenging to get to and ammendities are nonexistent in most of the park, but few places can compete with the natural beauty of this diverse glacial and mountainous landscape. It is a land almost untouched by human development and I believe the inability to fully explore most of this land adds to its grandness. I'll let these pictures speak for themselves

Quite a drive to get there with the distance and long delays due to road construction. Only two rougher roads going into the park, so you need to allow more time than we had to get out to the end of McCarthy road. We only went as far as the old high bridge. We did not see many animals in the park, just a beaver lodge in a pond. It was a cloudy day so the mountain views were washed out. A clear day would be spectacular. Chitina is the entry town for McCarthy road, and there was a lot of Salmon fishing, including fish wheels. The Visitor's Center on the Richards road was small but interesting with friendly staff.

This is the largest national park 🌲 in the US! At 13.2 million acres, it is the size of Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland COMBINED. There is plenty to do and see here, but you should be prepared for an adventure, as a lot of the sights and hikes are hard to get to, but are well worth it.

Amazing food! Great staff. BUT, be careful buying drinks/shots for others... they looked at my 'tab' at one point, and put me on "slowdown." I was still allowed to be there, and drink, but no longer allowed to buy shots for my new friends. That was a big bummer.

Overall our experience was good. Drinks were relatively cheap, they had a 90s cover band that was a riot, indoor/outdoor seating, and flushing toilets. Three stars because we did witness the bartender be quite rude to multiple sets of foreign tourists. He outwardly yelled at multiple for being in the way and was just overall not nice to them. Felt wrong.

In a town full of loose and roaming dogs they don’t allow leashed dogs on their giant patio nor inside, although they do provide a water bowl, which weird nice. They don’t allow any dogs and don’t provide a space for them in a town off gird and a no place to leave a dog since no cars are allowed. Hopefully one day they change this

Food was pretty good but thought the portions were a bit small for the price. Service was a tad slow also. We were starving after a long day so it was good enough.

They have a 2 for the price of 1, burghers on Friday. The food was good and the beer cold. Enjoyed it and the price after a long day. Good atmosphere, service + the 2 friendly dogs were sweet too.

Staff, locals and guests of all the nearby lodges come together at the end of the day to relax, visit or listen to great music. There is a feeling of community here that I've never experienced anywhere before. Even the town dogs get along!

Really neat place, good beer, and only $10 for a souvenir glass. Saw Neil Darish there and he was generous enough to let us take a picture with him. Thanks!

Wonderful little restaurant with creative dishes in the middle of the very small, summertime hamlet of McCcarthy, AK. Our server was knowledgeable and kind, and was training another nice young server. The food was delicious and creative. We had the fix menu, which was well-priced at $50 each and included three courses. My only suggestion is to serve the food a bit hotter. Be prepared that they may not have everything on the menu because this is a wonderfully remote restaurant. We’re so happy we went!

We couldn’t believe finding a restaurant of this quality in this remote area. The dining room is filled with artifacts from mining days and very charming. We were welcomed by a very polite and friendly gentleman who promptly served cool, fresh water from a beautiful copper pitcher and informed us that dinner was a fixed 3 course menu for $44 with choices of soup or salad, then Copper River salmon grilled on a hot stone or a chicken dish, and dessert. The soup was very good and the salad wonderful. We both had the salmon served on a blueberry/wine/brown sugar gastrique; it was a delight. The chocolate/caramel/pistachio tart: scrumptious! The wine list was extensive and we chose a burgundy Pouilly Fuissé, reliably excellent. We were so pleased that we came back the next day and had a flank steak cooked to perfection. The service was impeccable too. The rapport quality/price is outstanding. ; we ate fish & chips for almost the same price in Homer or Kenai. We highly recommend this restaurant.

Dinner is a bit overrated but the only fine(ish) dining in town. Set menu, reservations only. Food was good and the chef definitely puts a lot into the dishes. Vibe was meh.

Extremely Disappointed. When making reservation, we were strongly encouraged to try the 5 course tasting menu for $150 per person. We have enjoyed many fine dining restaurants around the world and were really looking forward to this experience. Almost everything served was extremely disappointing. We got the strong feeling that we were served a lot of leftover food. The only bright spot of the evening was the good service and wine list.

The positives: excellent vibe and music. And our server was super nice!!! We came here with two new friends from Israel who we met while glacier hiking and she thought it was really cool that we came in after meeting new people. So all of that was truly memorable. That being said, my ribeye steak was very tough for ordering it medium rare, not a very fatty cut, and the Mac and cheese tasted powdery which was a bit off putting. On top of that, overpriced for what it is but I guess that’s the rule not the exception in AK. I would come and enjoy a drink here but probably wouldn’t recommend a full blown dinner here.

Clean comfortable and quiet hotel, good size rooms. Reasonable breakfast buffet, pool and gym. No room service, and in general service is reactive: eg you tell them there are no eggs - and they will bring more. But they do not check on their own. Bottom line - good, service level gets the lowest grade.

For old rustic charm alone, this hotel would get 5 stars. It's on the main street in McCarthy, the staff is super friendly and the rooms are clean and nicely decorated but very small. There's also no private bathroom in the rooms, there's a single occupant bathroom on the floor and it's well equipped with a toilet, sink and shower. I preferred staying at the Kennicott Lodge which is modern and luxurious.

Great folks running an excellent service. Prices were very reasonable considering what you get and the pilot was considerate and safe. If you have concerns about heights, small spaces, or airplanes, this might be the activity for you BUT if you can overcome those fears it is so worth it!

My wife and I took the 90 minute flight yesterday, Our pilot was very courteous and professional as well as very knowledgeable about the Wrangell St Elias National Park including geological history. The scenery was amazing and awe inspiring, All in all , an unforgettable experience!

Undoubtedly the best air tour I've taken. Of course, Wrangell St. Elias just might be one of the most scenic places in the world. We took the 120 minute tour and can not recommend it enough. The tour heads south, crossing into the Bagley Icefield, to Icy Bay, and wraps up at a pass by Mt St Elias with some of the best views anyone could hope for. The pilot taught us a bit of the region's unique glaciology, history of the region, and past mountain climbers. Well worth every dollar and minute!

Responsive and friendly staff and professional pilots. We were able to make some last minute changes to our flights and the staff accommodated us promptly. The planes were small but felt safe. On the flight from Chitina to McCarthy, I got some of the best photo shots of the whole Alaska trip. The pilot pointed out many interesting things to look at and talked about the history of the town. Amazing experience!

Wrangell Mtn Air helped us get into the backcountry for a week on the Tana Glacier and were incredibly hospitable, communicative, and professional throughout. Incredibly grateful for them.

A flightsee Tour with Wrangell Mountain Air is a must-do if you are visiting McCarthy! Both the staff and the pilots are dedicated to making sure that you have a great experience. I had the chance to go on the 70 minute and 90 minute tour, where I saw some the coolest things I'd ever seen. The pilot was down to earth and extremely informative during the flight pointing out specific geological and historical landmarks all while checking in on us to make sure we were doing okay and seeing the things we were interested in seeing. I would highly recommend Wrangell Mountain Air to anyone and everyone! With the variety of services they offer, you'll have the chance to experience some of the grandest parts of the Wrangell-St Elias NP.

We did the "Fire and Ice" tour with Brighton and it was AMAZING! We did the 90 minute tour and it was the perfect length to see wildlife, the ice field, Kennecott, and the most amazing view of glaciers I have ever seen. This excursion was at the high end of our typical budget, but I would not go to McCarthy/Wrangell-St. Elias and not do it. It is an absolute must-do when in the area.

Currant Ridge was an absolutely beautiful place to stay in McCarthy. The cabins were very cozy and so perfect. Never what I would have expected in McCarthy. It had everything you could need. The setting was nothing short of spectacular. Bonus sitting in the warmth of the cabin on the couch and being able to see the Northern lights dancing. Highly recommend. Thank you for your hospitality!

Currant ridge is probably the place with the most amenities for a stay near McCarthy. It has fridge, full kitchen, fast wifi, private bathroom, etc. All these are a luxury at such a remote location. Our lodge has great view of the mountains. It is a real treat to sit in their rocking recliner and watch the mountains outside. The host was friendly and attentive. A great stay!

Our stay at Currant Ridge in McCarthy was fantastic! The cabins are spacious, comfortable, and well thought out, with a kitchen stocked with quality stainless steel pots and pans, a coffee machine, and everything you need to cook a hearty meal. One of our favorite features was the two on-site gardens where guests can pick fresh veggies — we gathered snap peas, broccolini, zucchini, and basil, then made a delicious stir fry. Truly a highlight of our stay. Power was a bit tricky, as not many things could run at the same time — but in a way, that encouraged us to unplug and enjoy a much-needed e-detox. Another thoughtful touch was the water pipe next to each cabin, which came in very handy for rinsing off our vehicle after the bumpy unpaved road into McCarthy. A peaceful, memorable stay in the middle of Alaskan wilderness — we’d happily return!

Everyone in our party was blown away by our experience at Currant Ridge. Very well located on McCarthy road, easy access to the footbridge and all the activities in Kennecott and McCarthy, beautiful, well-appointed cabins with an amazing view. We loved making meals using fresh veggies from the garden! Thanks so much for a memorable stay!

An unexpected gem in the middle of the National Park. A shower and wifi? Crazy but true. Beautiful space, and friendly helpful hosts. This is not a five star hotel. But considering where it is located, it is a ten star place to stay! A superb base camp for your Alaska adventure in Wrangell-St Elias National Park.

We absolutely loved staying here! The cabins are beautiful with everything we needed and it’s just a short drive to the bridge before McCarthy. Everything was extremely clean and the family who owns and runs it are very helpful and kind. We can’t wait to go back!

Stayed a night at the Kennicott cottage and loved it! The beds were super comfy, the full kitchen had everything I needed, and the view from the balcony was just awesome. On top of that, Matthew was incredibly helpful and shared a lot of local info that made my trip even better. Wish I had more time there — such a peaceful and beautiful place!

Only place to grab food at McCarthy, food tasted delicious. Cool ambience, good servicing. We tried few dishes all tasted delicious. Highly recommend salad’s falafel coffee burritos. They are consider additional requests for add ons, very accommodating staff

Highly highly recommend eating at this restaurant and trying the specials! Had such amazing dishes. These are the crab cake, duck breast and salmon special. I can’t wait to come back and try more food. Thank for the incredible meals!

It’s the best restaurant ever. Went every night we stayed in McCarthy, and don’t regret it. Great service, fantastic food. -Burrito -Mac and cheese -Cheesesteak -Chicken Fajita Pita -Soup -Miso Salad and literally anything else on the menu. Order it all and love it all.

While visiting McCarthy for a hiking trip, we had The Potato five times in a row. Never got tired of it. Food and drink here is absolutely amazing. The owners take such care in sourcing and curating a great menu that any big city would be lucky to have. They maintain very reasonable prices, and the whole town congregates here. I'd highly recommend the Potato. Some standout dishes: potato head burrito, king salmon special, miso salad, and any of the desserts.

I still couldn’t fathom how one of the best meal I ever had is at the middle of nowhere, no cellular signal town McCarthy Alaska. How do you get the ingredients and one of the best chefs in the world there? The addition of grapes into the prawn curry is so bold and refreshing. I’m inspired.

Genuinely good food, not just by mountain town standards. Love it!

I highly recommend The Potato. We had the garlic rosemary french fries which were fresh-cut and perfectly cooked. They had an amazing selection of canned beers from all over the West Coast. Our server was prompt, easy-going, and perfectly attentive.

We loved this National Park! There were lots of animal skins and things for the kids to touch and feel as well as for us adults. There was a movie in the theater which was very informative and inspiring. Beautiful views of the mountains with free binoculars at the viewing areas.

We arrived after the park had closed but none of the gates had been locked. As soon as we got out of the truck one of the rangers told me he was going to be locking the gates shortly and if we intended on using the park we needed to park on the outside of the gate so that we didn't get locked in. We did what he directed and then set off on our hike. The park offered ip some beautiful view of the woods as well as the river along the trail. We walked the easy trail first and soon found it dead-end to a cliff where part of the pathway had been washed away. We saw a few different kinds of wildlife.

Stopped by while exploring the area. Clean facilities, friendly staff, cool displays. Hiked a few of the trails in the area and enjoyed our visit!

Chill, well-maintained visitor station that gives rest and comfort for those who travel to/from Valdez. It has a little store section in it and a gorgeous mountain view on the deck.

Beautiful visitors center with a great little walking trail. I love the posted foliage signs!

Like most NP Visitor Centers this one is staffed with friendly, knowledgeable Park Rangers. There's also an exhibit building nearby, and another building shows a 20-minute informative film about the Park. That said, there's not much to this VC. You can see it all in an hour or two. The available hiking trails are short, with severely obstructed views of the Copper River Valley. I understand that there are other entrances to this NP with roads that go much further into the Park and have far better hiking trails. My advice would be to consider those.

The visitor center itself is nice, with flushing toilets and drinking fountains and a water bottle filling station and a few different buildings with information about the Native people in the area and about the geography of the park and stuff. But they close the gate at 5, which seems really early. There are a couple of short and easy hikes right near the visitor center, which is nice. If they didn't close the gate so early and open it kind of late (9 a.m.), I'd probably give it 5 stars.

Mind blowingly beautiful! Don’t rush out to Kennicott just for a couple hours, that’s a silly long & washboarded commute. Stop and enjoy this marvel, the gorgeous views, fabulous locals (small businesses are getting rare out there) & the many vistas & hikes. Root Glacier is easy & a dream- bring cleats!

Nice view over the canyon. Under the bridge there is a second level that you could walk.. needs a bit of climbing as I guess you're not supposed to walk over there

Spanning 238 feet above the river, the wayside on the east side of the bridge is a great stop along the McCarthy. There is a NPS managed restroom and interpretive kiosk at the wayside and a catwalk under the bridge for those who want more views of the immense natural surrounding.

There is a place to pull off on the right after crossing the bridge that is well worth the time to read. Take your time on the drive to McCarthy. It has a lot to see and a lot of nature to take in.

Breathtaking views down to the river. The expanse below as you drive across is epic. If you’re headed out to McCarthy, you can’t miss it.

Gorgeous day to drive to McCarthy! Met some cool bungee jumpers along the way.

Bridge was closed! No other way in or out, so you wait. They were actually inspecting it - and that's reassuring. But the delay is a drag.

Insane location that overlooks an unbelievable glacier. Just a 5min walk to the foot bridge and food/gas nearby. The grounds were immaculate and the staff were very helpful and friendly. Do not be deterred by the McCarthy road drive down there. Just take it slow and enjoy the scenery. 100/10.

Great location at the end of the McCarthy road and the manager - tour organizer Chris was awesome to work with, however the accommodations were a bit bleak and the camp ground and lodge area were messy. There was trash piled up in the kitchen and other guests just piled up all their food items in the shared kitchen- it looked unkept. Be ready to rough it here- bathrooms are not in the cabins and the showers are shared. They worked good but it was kind of a pain. It’s basically camping because you have to bring in everything- nothing is provided. The overall site needs picking up- there are stray equipment here and there and it’s not very appealing for such a remarkable location. I kept thinking how quaint this place could be if they cleaned it up and did some landscaping….

Booked the whole place out for a large group retreat-type event and the experience was unforgettable. The view is insane! The owner and manager took the vision of the retreat and worked with myself and the event planners to curate a gathering that was uniquely Alaskan and so fun and so easy. You can also book glacier hiking and whitewater rafting with them too which we did and I highly recommend. This place is perfect for large or small group events of any type.

best view of the glacier, might be best value too if you didn't need rush. close to footbridge where you could take 5$ ride to McCarthy or Kennicott. a small lake 5 mins to the footbridge also worth some walk if there is no wind. Brad were nice offering towel, fruit and open kitchen with oven. the shared shower and restroom could be trouble at peak season or weekend, although not a huge problem if you plan well.

Don't come to Alaska and not come to McCarthy. The lodge has an amazing view of the Glacier

We enjoyed staying here last summer! The owner is very nice, and truly enjoys living in this place and showing to others. Common kitchen has a very relaxed atmosphere. The view from the suite is spectacular! Also, these cabins are the closest to the bridge, just about a 2 minute walk away

Rooms full of wasps, no maintenance, no staff on site. We could not sleep for 2 nights because rooms were infested with tens of wasps entering through gaps between the logs in the wall. When reporting the issue to the office of the parent company, they only thanked us for letting them know. When writing and complaining, the simply ignored us. I would not go there, and I would advice travelers to avoid this lodge. There are much better options in McCarthy and Kennicott.

My son and I had a great time on the 2 night/3 day Rivers to Riches trip in late July 2023. We traveled 65 miles on 4 rivers in 3 days! Our guides Ron, Mia and Kevin were awesome! We had never done an overnight rafting trip before and truly enjoyed our river trip into the wilderness of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The food was delicious and it was pretty fascinating watching Ron and crew set-up for meals so efficiently. Ron shared a lot of interesting history and geology information that was so unique to the area. Our stay at Kennicott Glacier Lodge the night before launch was comfortable and we enjoyed the walk into the small town for dinner. Any time I had a trip logistics question, Chris was always quick with an email reply. I would definitely do another river trip with McCarthy River Tours.

We had a great time on the guided Root glacier hike. Nye was really informative and always had our safety as his top priority. He didn’t make us feel rushed and was happy to go at our pace. Would definitely recommend them!

I just wanted to share our experience with McCarthy River Tours, It was amazing and all the people we dealt with were very kind and helpful. Starting with Chris, he was there to greet and help us with any questions. On the river rafting Macy was great at making sure everything was safe going down the river and afterwards helps with our equipment and answers all our questions. Veronica was our guide for both the river rafting and the glacier hike, she was very personable and made us fill like family, it was just like she was another member having fun with us. She was very kind and knowledge about everything. I would highly recommend McCarthy River Tours to any one that goes to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park!! Thank you all for sharing in an awesome outing!!

Our 5 day Copper River trip was so much fun! We had a large group with some special requests and McCarthy River Tours and Outfitters planned everything for us perfectly - we did not need to worry about a thing! All gear was provided including dry suits so we could feel comfortable and safe on the cold glacial water (thank-you!!). Macy and Leo are amazing guides - their knowledge of the area, attentiveness to safety, and 5 star cooking was much appreciated!

We had a group of 20 (10 adults and 10 kids) take the Root glacier tour. We split the group into two groups of 10. Specifically we had Kevin (Kevbo) and Anna. They were absolutely amazing with the kids and blended into our group seamlessly. They gave us the history of the towns on the walk to the glacier. The glacier hike was breathtaking and absolutely worth the drive down McCarthy road. Highlight of the trip and would recommend the hike to anyone.

fantastic company for all your adventuring!!! they were super communicative, accommodating, kind, knowledgeable, and fun. would recommend to anyone headed to McCarthy!

I had the experience of a lifetime with Macey and Wrangell Air Service (Austin and Jared) out at Nizina Lake. The flights were smooth and provided some gorgeous views. Macey is the best guide I have ever hung out with. She is very knowledgeable about the area, made sure we were safe the entire trip, was very helpful, and was just an awesome person to hang out with. Chris at the office coordinated all the details of my trip and communicated those very well. This day trip was my absolute best adventure experience in the past 6 years of me living in AK. I go on two to three excursions a year. McCarthy River Tours will become an annual excursion. I am excited to adventure more with this company and their incredible crew.

The National Park Service has done an outstanding job preserving and restoring this historical mining town. There are a handful of buildings you can enter that each offers an abundance of information on the town's history, mining logistics, and eventual revival as a tourist destination There's quite a few original documents and equipment from the 20s/30s which really immerses you in the idea that you're standing in a century-old mining town. Expect to spent about 3-4 hours exploring, more than enough to see and read it all with some space for lunch. There's a couple shuttle services that run from the footbridge in McCarthy to Kennecott (5 miles). Recommend buying a day pass, or multi-day, from the general store for $15/$20

Super well done historic exhibits, all trails are awesome (Bonanza pictured here), beautiful place! Worth noting that you have to take a shuttle up to the mill town, it’s on the other side of a pedestrian footbridge.

It was very interesting to see this mine 💣 town in the middle of nowhere. The red 🧱 colors on the buildings were really unique. The area is nice but there isn't that much to do. Note: you can't bring your car 🚗 here because of the foot bridge 🌉 In the summer 🌞 months, they have shuttle 🚐 services, but this is not the case in other seasons, so be prepared to walk from the parking lot to the mines (~4.5 miles each way on a flat road)

If I could suggest go visit the Kennecott Mines in Wrangell -St Elias National Park . Keep your motorhome in a campground here in Chitina and drive your car .. do your research ( from what I’m told the road is better😳)McCarthy road is mostly unpaved and rough is an understatement, ITS ROUGH ! 60 miles one way .. 2 hours doing 40 mph!! Can I suggest if you have a mouth guard? Wear it , it’ll help your jaw from clenching and help you not yell out unpleasant words to your driver !! A good time for those kegel exercises since your butt will be tight the whole way ! Once you park .. $6 and you cross the foot bridge a shuttle will drive you into town $5 each way ( another 6 mile bumpy ride) The 2 hour mine tour is $34 a person and the hike to the Glacier is 4 miles. Even if you choose neither , it’s like walking back in time , beautiful, great history and good food !! Enjoy your day and know it’s the same ride home !! OMG 😳😳🤣 — at Wrangell-St Elias National Park.

Absolutely worth a trip! Can be reached either by walking from MC carthy (allow 1.5-2 hrs, slightly uphill) or by shuttle bus. It's a jump back in time. The site is in good shape and being further restored. In a few buildings there are interesting exhibits, displays and movies. Definitely worth the trim. Can be combined with a trip to the glacier, worth a visit as well. A few options for food are available as well in Kennecott.

Incredible mining ruins that have been somewhat preserved with some exhibits. There are tours you can take of the 14-story mill, but we didn’t do that this time with the kids in tow. The history here is awesome to learn about, and the NPS is actively restoring and supporting things to last a long time. You can follow the road further up to the glacier hiking trails as well. The shuttle goes from Kennicott back down to McCarthy every hour, at the top of the hour. The latest one leaves at 7:00 PM, as of July 2024. You have to take the shuttle from McCarthy up to Kennicott. The shuttle company people were all 10/10 friendly and helpful.

Kennecott, Alaska is such a special place. It is one of the best-preserved mining towns from an older time in Alaskan history! It is a must-visit for anyone who is trying to experience the “real” Alaska, and it has so much to explore! Kennecott has an intriguing history. It was a booming town long ago, and one day the train came and ordered everyone to leave…only giving them a short notice to pack whatever they could until they would permanently leave, never to return. It is in remarkably good condition all things considered - this part of Alaska is brutal in winter months so the fact any buildings still stand at all is a feat in and of itself! You can explore all around the town and see how it was when it was left such a long time ago - it’s a bit eerie seeing things stood exactly as they were whenever people finally left! I recommend spending at least a few days in Kennecott. First off, it takes a LONG time to get here. If you’re coming from Anchorage, prepare for a full-day trip. It’ll take hours on long, lonely (and beautiful) highways until you get to the town of Chitina, and once you’re there, you’ll need to drive hours more on a gravel road with no internet until you get to the tiny town of McCarthy. Once you’re in McCarthy, you’ll need to find a tour agency that can then finally take you to Kennecott. Do spend a few nights at the Kennecott Glacier Lodge! It’s nothing spectacular (or fancy), but it allows for you to explore during morning or evening hours when there are far fewer people around. Food is pretty good, staff is warm and welcoming, cell data and WiFi internet is…pretty bad honestly (but you have to expect it in this remote of a place). It has a beautiful view of the glacier as well. Yes, I did say glacier! The most incredible thing about Kennecott is it’s precariously perched on the edge of a massive glacier that stretches for miles in both directions. It is truly a sight to behold - the glacial morain is so cool! You can hike to the glacier on a half day or full day trip and explore the beautiful ice, drink crystal-clear glacier water that’s the cleanest on Earth, and even climb into massive holes carved into the glacier! Do keep in mind, I highly recommend booking with a tour agency to hike to the glacier! They will keep you safe! The tours of the ghost town itself go inside many of the old, abandoned buildings (of course, there are some you can’t enter purely for safety reasons), and they do a great job explaining all of the old history of the town! Also, be sure to hike a bit outside of the town on the marked hiking trails. Some of them go to beautiful waterfalls and amazing viewpoints of the valley! All in all, I absolutely love this place. I’ve visited multiple times, and I will continue to return. Visit Kennecott while you still can, while the buildings are still standing, and enrich yourself in the rich mining history of Alaska’s past!

Awesome and quirky pizza bus with homemade gluten-free and vegan options.