Attractions and Places To See around Mccarthy - Top 10

The area is rich in history. You can visit the Kennecott Mill Town, a beautifully preserved ghost town that was once a booming copper mining operation. Explore the historic mill building, bunkhouses, and other structures. Additionally, the McCarthy Town Center itself has historic buildings and offers a glimpse into the town's past as a recreational hub for miners.

The McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum, housed in the former Copper River & Northwestern Railroad depot, showcases the area's rich history through photos, documents, and artifacts. You can also visit the McCarthy Cemetery for another layer of historical insight into early settlers and miners.

McCarthy is a gateway to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, America's largest national park. You'll find breathtaking glacial landscapes, including the accessible Root Glacier, and impressive views of the Kennicott Glacier. The vast park features nine of the country's highest peaks and numerous other glaciers.

Yes, you can find several stunning viewpoints. The View of Kennicott Glacier from Kennicott Mine offers expansive vistas of the glacier. Another notable spot is the View of Stairway Icefall, which provides expansive views of Root Glacier and the fast-moving portion of the glacier known as Stairway Icefall.

The area boasts an extensive trail network. Popular options include the Root Glacier Trail, a 5.7-mile out-and-back path leading directly to the glacier's surface. For more challenging hikes, consider the strenuous 9-mile round-trip Bonanza Mine Trail or the 10-mile Jumbo Mine Trail. The Erie Mine Trail is an 8-mile round-trip offering expansive views. You can find more details on these and other routes in the Hiking around McCarthy guide.

Yes, the Root Glacier is one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers for hiking and trekking. Guided tours are available, often including equipment like crampons and ice axes, allowing you to explore its unique features such as rivers, waterfalls, crevasses, and blue pools.

Beyond hiking and glacier trekking, you can experience flightseeing tours from McCarthy's airstrip for unparalleled aerial views of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Rafting day trips or multi-day adventures are also available on rivers like the Kennicott, Nizina, and Chitina, including floating through the vertical-walled Nizina Canyon.

McCarthy is accessed via the McCarthy Road. While you can drive most of the way, vehicles can only go as far as the Kennicott River Footbridge. From there, you'll cross a pedestrian-only footbridge to reach the McCarthy Town Center. Along the McCarthy Road, you can also see the historic Kuskulana River Bridge and the Gilahina Trestle Wayside.

The McCarthy Town Center itself is a relaxed community to explore. For outdoor activities, the Root Glacier Trail offers an accessible path, and easy day hikes like the Wagon Road Trail (connecting McCarthy and Kennecott) are suitable for families. The McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum also provides an engaging educational experience.

The best time to visit McCarthy is typically during the summer months (June to September) when the weather is mildest, and all attractions, tours, and hiking trails are fully accessible. This period allows for glacier trekking, flightseeing, rafting, and exploring the historic sites without significant snow or ice.

Visitors frequently appreciate the unique blend of natural beauty and rich history. The opportunity to explore a well-preserved ghost town like Kennecott Mill Town, combined with the accessibility of glaciers like Root Glacier and the vast wilderness of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, creates a memorable experience. The laid-back atmosphere of the McCarthy Town Center is also a highlight.

As McCarthy is within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, visitors should be aware of park regulations. The Kennecott Visitor Center, run by the National Park Service, provides essential information about the mines, the town, and local hiking trails, including safety guidelines for glacier travel and wildlife encounters.