Our Location

No matter how you get here, you're bound to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Here are a few suggestions on getting to the McCarthy-Kennicott area:

Traveling By Car

Of the various methods of getting here, we recommend driving the McCarthy Road - it's amazing. Conde' Naste Travel Magazine includes it in their recommended route, as it is incredibly scenic. The London Times online calls it: "The most beautiful road I have ever been on" in an article published in 2004.

It is possible to view Alaska Dahl sheep, goats, Tundra swans, moose, black bear, grizzly bear, fox, wolverine and endless assorted waterfowl along this route. If you're an avid fisherman there are many lakes available from Glennallen to McCarthy for trout, salmon, and burbot. (Remember you must have a license. These may be purchased at numerous locations along your route.)

90% of all visitors to Wrangell-St. Elias take their cars on the McCarthy Road. Of the 40,000 visitors to this park, the number of flat tires per year is in the dozens, not thousands as most guide books would like you to believe. Will you get a flat? It is very unlikely if you drive no faster than 30MPH. A new ROAD BLOG on a local website has a regularly updated Road Report from actual travlers of the McCarthy Road.

Also, you can follow this link to read more about the McCarthy Road.

Rental Cars:

The McCarthy Road has been improved so much over the past few years that many car rental companies now allow some of their vehicles on the McCarthy Road. Here is a list of just some of the rental car options that allow you to take their vehicles on the McCarthy Road:

The Alaskan owned company, High Country Anchorage has low prices for rental cars in Alaska, ask for Wes Simons at 888-685-1155 or 1-907 562-8078
Enterprise Rental Cars -When you book with us, request our special McCarthy Lodge rate code for a discount on Enterprise Rental cars , and to assure approval for use on the Mccarthy Road. Use the local alaska number: 1 907 563-5050 to get approval for the McCarthy Road when staying at the McCarthy Lodge.
A-1 Car Rental at 1 800 546-6065 or 1-907-929-1222 in Anchorage. Very low rates and some larger vehicles too. Ask for Stanley.
In Anchorage & Fairbanks: Go North Alaska Travel Center offers 4 wheel drive vehicles that are allowed on the Mccarthy Road. Call 866-236-7272 or (907) 479-7272

Alaska Road Map (If you have problems booking a rental vehicle from one of the major rental car companies, let us know and we will assist in your rental.)

Distances Between Major Towns and Destinations

The following chart lists major cities and their distance to our area:

Anchorage to McCarthy - 322 miles
Fairbanks to McCarthy - 388 miles
McCarthy to Kennicott - 4.5 miles
Anchorage to Fairbanks - 362 miles
McCarthy to Glennallen - 130 miles
McCarthy to Chitina - 60 miles
McCarthy to Valdez - 178 miles

If you do drive, please note - you will not be able to drive your vehicle into town but will have to leave it in a designated parking area instead at the edge of town. At present all parking in the McCarthy/Kennicott area is provided by private vendors and will average $5.00 per day.

Traveling By Bus/Shuttle to the McCarthy Area

NEW IN 2008! There is now a new bus service between Anchorage and McCarthy! www.wrangellsteliastours.com

Wrangell-St. Elias Tours provides direct van transportation from Anchorage to McCarthy and Kennicott (May-Sept). See the website, www.wrangellsteliastours.com for shuttle schedules and rate info. Phone (907) 822 5978 Email jen@cvalaska.net

Another great connection from Glennallen, Chitina to/from Mccarthy:

Back Country Connection operates a daily van service from Glennallen to McCarthy for backpackers during the summer months.

You can contact Backcountry Connection at:

Backcountry Connection
LLC PO Box 65
Glennallen, AK 99588

Phone: (907) 822-5292 or 1-866-582-5292 (within Alaska)
Fax: 907.822.3500

www.kennicottshuttle.com

Email: tourwithus@alaska.net.

To Get From Fairbanks to Glennallen via Alaska/Yukon Trails Bus Line

Take Alaska/Yukon Trails Bus Line from Fairbanks to Glennallen, then take Backcountry Connection from Glennallen to McCarthy.

Alaska/Yukon Trails connects Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, Valdez, Prince William Sound, Whittier, Seward within Alaska and Dawson City, Yukon Territory

For Reservations, Please call:

Phone: 1-800-770-7275

To Get From Anchorage to Glennallen via Alaska Direct Bus Line

Take Alaska Direct bus service from Anchorage to Glennallen, then take Backcountry Connection from Glennallen to McCarthy.

Alaska Direct provides year-round service among Fairbanks, Anchorage, Whitehorse, Haines, and Skagway (Alaska Marine Highway); they also provide service between Tok and Dawson City, YT, in the summer.

Summer service on the Fairbanks/Anchorage/Whitehorse routes is normally three times a week; winter service is normally twice a week, with adjustments for periods of severe weather.

Reservations are required. Please call:

In Anchorage: (907) 277-6652

In Whitehorse: (867) 668-4833

In other areas: 1-800-770-6652

Passengers are allowed one piece of luggage and one overnight or flight bag (which must fit in the overhead rack). Excess baggage will generate an additional charge.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 501, Anchorage, AK 99510-0501.

Flying into the Area

If you have your own private plane, you can also fly into the McCarthy airfield. There are also several private air taxi services available in the area. Go to our "Activities" section and there you willfind the Flight Services that offer trips from Chitina and other points to McCarthy.

No mater how you get here, be sure to do a flight seeing trip into the deep wilderness that surrounds McCarthy!