McCarthy: Soul of Wrangell-St. Elias (WRST)—America’s largest park (13.2M acres). Only community inside boundaries, gateway to glaciers/mines/wilds. Post-adventure? Hang in town—saloon toasts with locals, artisan chats, live tunes—forge bonds that echo home. 2-3 nights: Sweet spot for soul-reset.
Dive Deeper: McCarthy's Soul Impact
Imagine swapping trail tales with locals who breathe life into the copper town legacy, under roofs where mining dreams were once forged—raw, real connections that cut through the noise. For the horizon-chasers: It’s your off-grid haven with a quick saloon WiFi pit-stop to share the day’s epic (midnight sun or not, those glacier shots beg for it). For the steady explorers: It’s hearth-and-history comfort, where every chat lingers like good whiskey. 80% of us leave saying, ‘This town’s got soul that sticks—crowds be damned.’ It’s the perfect unplug-recharge loop: Wilderness demands presence, town rewards the share. No judgment, just the honest rhythm that makes the place addictive for all ages.
1. Stay Length: Craft Your McCarthy Escape
Every stay at McCarthy Lodge immerses you in Wrangell-St. Elias’ wild heart—historic lodging, daily breakfast at The Salmon & Bear, and unlimited Copper Town Shuttle access included. We recommend 3 nights for the full gateway: time to raft wild glacier rivers, climb glacier ice, and unwind in off-grid bliss. Shorter? A 2-night tease awakens the soul.
Per-Night Starts (Double Occupancy)
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- Lancaster’s Backpacker
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$219/night
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- Ma Johnson’s Historical Hotel
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$349/$359night
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- Kate Kennedy House (up to 5 occ.)
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$979/night (whole house)
Sample Packages (Double Occupancy)
Nights Lancaster’s Ma Johnson’s Why Stay?
2 Nights $438 total $698 total Tease the soul: Add flightseeing + mill site/mining tours
3 Nights $657 total. $1,047 total. Deep gateway: Raft + glacier ice climb + town unwind. Pure magic.
Totals auto-calculate on our builder (groups 6+? Email groups@mccarthylodge.com). Season: May 15–Sep 15. Ready to customize? Build & Reserve Now.
2. Lodging: Wake Up in History
Per night, double occupancy unless noted. Includes Copper Town Shuttle + daily breakfast at The Salmon & Bear (eggs, French toast, pancakes, sausage, bacon, fresh OJ, coffee—crafted with care). McCarthy Premier Shuttle Pass: unlimited rides from the footbridge through McCarthy’s soul to Kennicott’s mines, glaciers, and park trails. Free WiFi, No TV—embrace the disconnect.
Lodging Double Single. Triple Quad Whole House. Notes
Lancaster Backpacker’s$ 219 $204 $304 $359 —10 private rooms (twins/fulls/bunks, up to 4). Town vibes & views, cozy miner digs.
<td> <span class="ribbon-most-popular">Most Popular</span> Ma Johnson’s Historical Hotel </td>
Ma Johnson’s Historical Hotel $349 –$359 (w/sink) $399 —— Unique 1920s rooms, 2 Bedrooms per shared bath, artifacts. Saloon-adjacent hub.
Kate Kennedy House————$955 low / $1,155 high 2-bed restored 1920s gem (up to 5: King + Full + rollaway). Private bath, Working Victrola and 78rpm records, Yard & family porch soul-spot.
Ready to claim your room in the wilderness? See availability in the package builder → (#)
Dive Deeper: Room Scoop
Lancaster: Private setups (no hostel adds)—e.g., group of 4 bunk-comfy. Ma’s: Semi-private miner charm. Kate: Exclusive whole-house, max 5. Amenities: Breakfast/Linens/towels/shuttle pass ($50+ value). “Time-travel cozy—artifacts whisper history.”
3. Meals: Fuel the Adventure, Feed the Soul
Breakfast included daily at The Salmon & Bear (eggs, French toast, pancakes, bacon, sausage, fresh OJ, coffee). Non-alcoholic beverages included all day. Dinner begins with a celebratory champagne toast.
Upgrade Per Person / Day. What’s Inside
Lunch + 3-Course Dinner +$98• Lunch: Sit-down at S&B or adventure picnic for hikes •
\ Dinner: Copper River Red Salmon + Kenny Lake Red Angus or Wild Sable (veg/GF available) • Award-winning, soul-stirring feast
NEW in 2026 — National Geographic Traveler named The Salmon & Bear the only Alaska restaurant in their 50 Destination Restaurants global Culinary Collection. Come taste why. “January 2026 issue — link to article when live.”
Dive Deeper: Menu Highlights
Pris Fix menu is standard in the Salmon & Bear; (Ala Cart is available)
Eclectic local (wild greens/berry tarts, risotto; 150 wines—Wine Spectator Award Of Excellence since 2020). “Salmon perfection—pairs w/ park soul.” Wilderness note: Foraging yields vary by season/fire/weather—morels peak mid-June–July, but we pivot to what’s thriving for that untamed edge.
4. Adventures: Touch the Wild
PPer person. Lodge books all trips. Pro tip: Flightseeing is essential—only the sky reveals Wrangell-St. Elias’ true scale.
Adventure Duration Price Why You’ll Never Forget It
Root Glacier Hike Full day. $180 Crampons on ancient ice—crevasses, moulins, silence that hums.
Root Glacier Ice Climb Full day. $180. Same hike + vertical adrenaline. Edge optional, awe guaranteed.
Flightsee + Kennecott Mill Town 70 min flight $420 Aerial ruins, glacier rivers—then self-explore the ghost town’s soul. ↳ +Guided Mill Tour: +$34 adult / +$17 child (ladders, secrets, stories).
Kennicott River Rafting Half day $180 Class II–III rapids, iceberg lake float
Dive Deeper: Adventure Vibes
Adrenaline? Raft/climb. Nature? Hike. History? Flightsee/mill (self-guided free w/pass, tour $37 add). “Flightsee = WRST revelation—lodge seamless.” Bundles: Flightsee+Glacier Hike $580. Post-day? Saloon celebrate w/ locals—true gateway magic.
Total builds dynamically. Pricing: Soul-value—lodging ($204–$1,155) edges comps w/ shuttle/pass incl.; meals upgrade $90 funds local sourcing (No alcohol included). Revamped Saloon: Wood-nook glow for those essential hangs.
Customize & Reserve
