Getting here
Reaching this corner of Alaska is part of the experience
Our Alaska wilderness lodge sits in the McCarthy–Kennicott valley inside the borders of the Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. The journey here moves through mountains, rivers, and vast stretches of wild country before arriving at a small frontier town where the road quite literally ends.
Most guests begin their trip in Anchorage, Alaska’s international airport hub. From there, you can reach McCarthy by air or via road. However you choose to travel here, our team will help coordinate the details and arrange transportation for your final arrival at our Alaskan adventure accommodations.
Driving from Anchorage to the road’s end
For many travelers, the drive is an unforgettable introduction to Alaska.
The journey from Anchorage to McCarthy is approximately 300 miles and takes about 7 hours, depending on stops and road conditions.
The route follows the Glenn Highway through broad mountain valleys before turning south toward the Copper River Basin. The final stretch is the historic McCarthy Road, a 60-mile gravel road built on the old railroad bed that once served the Kennicott copper mines.
This road is remote and rugged, but passable for most vehicles in summer.
At the end of the road, you will reach the Kennicott River footbridge, where public parking is available.
From there, our team will arrange transportation for the short transfer to the lodge.
Arriving by Air
Flying is the fastest way to reach the valley.
Commercial charter flights are available from Anchorage directly to the McCarthy airstrip, typically aboard small bush planes carrying 3–8 passengers and ranging between 1 - 2.5 hours depending on plane type and weather. Shared flights may be available depending on schedules and group size.
As the flight approaches the valley, the landscape opens dramatically—glaciers, braided rivers, and the Wrangell Mountains rising in every direction.
When you touch down at the local airstrip, we’ll be waiting and will provide transportation the short distance to the lodge.
Flying your own bush plane? The McCarthy runway is on the charts and offers public tie down spaces.
Guests interested in flying should inquire with our team, and we can assist with charter options or help coordinate shared flights.
Final Arrival
Once you get to the end of the road, we handle the final mile to the lodge.
Guests arriving by air are met at the McCarthy airstrip.
Guests arriving by road are met at the parking area near the footbridge.
From there we provide transportation to the lodge and help with luggage so that your arrival is smooth and unhurried.
The Frontier Town of McCarthy
Make no mistake, this is a wilderness outpost more than it is a town. No public utilities exist here; power, water, and even refuse are dealt with by each individual and business - this is the raw beauty and unmistakable charm of the place.
McCarthy is here because of an extravagant copper deposit that led to a boom town and eventually a ghost town when the mineral ran out. In the early 1900s, rich deposits above the valley at Kennicott pulled people deep into this landscape, and a railroad was built to reach it. When the mines shut down in 1938, most people left. What remains is a small, persistent town that still sits at the end of the road—today home to only a few dozen year-round residents, swelling in summer with seasonal workers and visitors.
You still can’t drive into town. At the road’s end, you step out, cross a mighty river via the footbridge, and arrive on foot. There are a handful of essential services here—lodging, guiding outfits, small shops, meals, and the National Park Service presence in Kennicott—but nothing beyond what the place can reasonably hold, no box stores, no chain restaurants, no throbbing press of humanity.
Our location sits about a mile beyond the McCarthy townsite toward Kennicott, along the edge of the glacier. It’s close enough to walk or catch a ride into town, but just far enough to step back out of it—where the noise fades and the landscape takes over again.
A scheduled shuttle van service operates between the footbridge, McCarthy, and the historic mining town of Kennicott, running regularly throughout the day during the summer season.
Travel Planning Tips
Reaching the McCarthy–Kennicott valley requires a bit more planning than a typical destination, but the journey is straightforward with the right preparation. The following notes will help make your travel smooth and enjoyable.
Allow Time for
the Journey
Travel in Alaska often moves at a slower speed. Weather, road conditions, and small aircraft schedules can occasionally shift. When possible, we recommend building a little flexibility and extra time into your travel plans, particularly on your arrival and departure days. Give yourself wiggle room between connecting travel. For example, if you’re taking a charter flight between Anchorage and McCarthy, it’s a good idea to arrive in state a minimum of 3 to 4 hours or even the evening before this flight.
Rental Cars and McCarthy Road
The final 60 miles to McCarthy follow the historic McCarthy Road, a gravel road built on the old Kennicott railway route. The road is typically passable for most vehicles during the summer season, though some rental car companies restrict travel on it. We recommend confirming this with your rental provider before departure.
Luggage on
Bush Flights
If you plan to fly to McCarthy by charter aircraft, luggage space may be limited. Most bush planes allow soft-sided bags rather than hard suitcases. Your pilot or charter company will provide specific weight limits ahead of your flight.
Parking and
Final Access
Private vehicles do not cross the Kennicott River bridge into McCarthy. Parking is available at the end of McCarthy Road near the footbridge. From there, our team will arrange transportation to the lodge.
Services in McCarthy
McCarthy is a small and remote town. Basic services such as fuel, small restaurants, and a general store are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but options are limited. Guests should plan accordingly before leaving larger towns along the route.
A Journey Worth Taking
This is not a place reached by accident.
The road narrows, the air is fresh, and the scale of the mountains begins to feel immense. By the time you arrive in the valley, it is clear that you have stepped into the deep wilds of Alaska.
Let us help plan your travel and coordinate the best way for you to arrive. Reach out at any stage to begin planning your journey.
