MAPS - link to one of the following
- www.topozone.com (McCarthy B-6) or Terraserver
- Latitude:61.433 degrees North - Longitude 142.922 degrees West
- GPS Coordinates UTM7 297397382e 6812519N (WGS84/NAD83)
You can drive or fly to McCarthy and catch a shuttle to Kennicott. For van services and buses connecting to Anchorage and Valdez/Alaska Marine Highway travelers, see the Travel Options section below.
The trip is an adventure in itself, crossing the Copper River Valley and the Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Expect to pay for parking on the private lands at the end of McCarthy Road, about $10 per night. Shuttle rides to Kennicott are currently $5 and run about every half hour, or less if things are slow. Get tickets at the bridge or walk into McCarthy. In Kennicott, catch a ride from the Kennicott Wilderness Guides, partners of Kennicott Cottage, or walk up to Silk Stocking Row.
From Anchorage - 314 miles
Take the Glenn Highway out of the downtown area and into the Matanuska Valley. Pass the Parks Highway cloverleaf, continue through the town of Palmer (last grocery store northeast of stop light) and follow it to Glennallen, 130 more miles. The Talkeetna Mountains are to your left (north) and great vistas of the Chugach Mountains and the glaciers are on the south. Turn right at the end of the Glenn Highway, a stop sign onto the Richardson Highway. You may want to get gas in Glennallen or Tazlina, five miles south. Travel 33 miles past Copper Center, where you can stop at the Wrangell St. Elias National Park Headquarters and Visitor Center, to the Edgerton Cut-off. Along the way you will see the Wrangell Mountains boldly presenting themselves in the East. From a left turn on the Edgerton Highway, head east 33 more miles to Chitina. Look for Liberty Falls on your left for a nice view and wayside break. From Chitina, you will cross the Copper River and enter the park.
Check your gas, tires and supplies. From there it's 67 miles of dirt to McCarthy. The recommended speed limit is 25 mph or 10 around blind narrow curves.
From Fairbanks - 374 miles
Take the Richardson Hi-way south through Delta Junction and Glennallen before taking a left on the Edgerton Highway to Chitina & McCarthy. A great side trip is taking the Denali Highway 14 miles out of Paxson and staying at Tangle Lakes. Beautiful alpine tundra, lakes, and Alaska Range monster peaks. There is camping and lodging at the end of the pavement.
From Valdez
Take the Richardson Highway North 100 miles, then head East (take a right) on the Edgerton Highway to Chitina and McCarthy. This is a gorgeous drive through the Chugach Mountains, some highlights including Thompson Pass and the Tonsina River.
McCarthy to Kennicott
FLYING DIRECTIONS
Many Alaskans are pilots and many visitors on flight seeing tours of Alaska say Kennicott and McCarthy are the best Alaska has to offer.
You can charter a flight
- from Anchorage to McCarthy,
- drive to the town of Chitina and take a scheduled flight from there.
Flying from Chitina is an affordable way to skip the drive and get amazing views of Mt. Blackburn,Sanford and Drum and the Copper, River Valley area.
Save some time for a flightseeing trip out of McCarthy for breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers and the Kennicott area abandoned mines.
McCarthy Air
Flightseeing & backcountry drops - Anchorage & Cordova charters
907-554-4440
Wrangell Mountain Air
Chitina to McCarthy and flightseeing or backcountry drop offs
800-478-1160
Visitors who need a break from driving can
Van Service Backcountry Connection 907-822-5292
From Valdez,
Check local visitor services in any Alaskan community or with the Alaska Marine Highway for additional travel information.
return to Kennicott Cottage Home
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Contact us now for reservations at Kennicott Cottage, 16 Silk Stocking Row
Get more info on Backcountry trips from the Kennicott Wilderness Guides
