McCarthy-Kennicott Sights & Attractions

Across the street from the museum is a short path leading to the old railroad turntable used to flip the engine around so it could push the train the 4.5 remaining miles up to Kennicott. Look for a wooden sign across the street pointing the way. Two or three people can get it moving again. It's a great activity for kids looking for a short but unique ride.

The first two things visitors notice about Kennecott are the spectacular views and the town itself…in that order. The combination of dramatic scenery and strange mining town makes for a unique experience. Give yourself a couple hours to explore and take it in. You can get information and a local map from the National Park Service visitor center. Then walk up Silk Stocking Row,  More...

This historical trail through the woods between McCarthy and Kennicott was the walking/wagon road when the railroad was still running. It's a nice alternative to walking or biking up the 4.5-mile-long road between McCarthy and Kennicott, where you'll find more vehicles and dusty conditions. Besides peace and quiet on this road, you'll experience the old Kennicott Cemetery, about a  More...

Talk about an authentic pioneer town. Time seems to have stood still on McCarthy's Main Street, which is unpaved, only a few hundred yards long, and lined with classic buildings and memorabilia.

Some visitors walk through McCarthy and complain that there's nothing to do—and that's exactly why folks like living here. But while you may not find much activity, you will find a  More...

If you've spent the day in Kennicott, on the glacier trail, or in the mountains and still can't get enough of the outdoors, skip the shuttle ride down the hill to McCarthy and take this nice 1.5-hour walk. The Wagon Trail cuts off the main road just to the right of the St. Elias Guides office.

You can hike for about 35 minutes to get to the old Kennicott Cemetery. Many of those  More...

Thursday evenings are open mic night in McCarthy. It's a great chance to rub elbows with some locals and fellow travelers and get a taste for the neighborhood. All are welcome! Bring your guitar, harmonica, and voice – or just your eyes and ears. Occasionally on Fridays and Saturdays there's a band playing after 8:30 p.m. Be on the lookout for special events that are  More...

Replaced by a footbridge in 1997, this tram used to be the only way to get across the Kennicott River. Today you can take the Kennicott River Footbridge to begin your adventure in McCarthy!

Looking for a mellow 3- to 4-hour walk and a nice spot to relax with a book or a journal? Check out McCarthy Creek. To get here, just walk straight through McCarthy's Main Street, past Ma Johnson's Hotel (on the left), down the hill, and past the Wrangell Mountain Center. Don't underestimate the swiftness of the current, or the frigidness of the water, and remember that what are called  More...

Along the road get good views of Kennicott Glacier, Mount Blackburn and Fireweed Mountain. McCarthy served as the supply and recreation stop for the Kennicott Mining District. Today, the town looks much like it did when it was first established in 1906 thanks to the local who have restored and preserved the original buildings.

This classic swimming hole is a local favorite—it's the perfect spot to relax on a hot summer day. You'll find it at the second footbridge, a 5-minute walk from the Kennicott River, where you can park your car. Lounge on the beach or even go swimming—the water's relatively warm when the sun is shining. While here, you can also explore near the toe of Kennicott Glacier and  More...

Everyone's welcome to come play softball—gloves, bats, and balls are all provided! McCarthy's softball nights typically begin sometime after 5 p.m. Friday from June through August. You may see signs about this fun activity around town, or overhear folks talking about it. Don't be shy. Head down the street just to the right of Wrangell Mountain Air (in "downtown" McCarthy) and  More...

The Wrangell Mountain Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to wilderness education and creative arts, housed in the old hardware store; stop by and see if any events are being held during your visit. There's a kiosk out front with a schedule that often includes free lectures by visiting biologists, artists, naturalists, and students. Activities include early morning bird walks,  More...

If you're hiking up to Kennicott from McCarthy and would like a 1- to 2-hour diversion, the toe of the glacier is it. There are some amazing mountain views, and a good chance you'll see a unique movement of nature involving rock, ice, and glacial silt. When you're here, imagine yourself back in the early 1900s: McCarthy was a boomtown, and this land was completely covered by ice.  More...

The road may end here but the journey isn't over yet. Kennecott River Pedestrian Bridge crosses the main channel of the river, providing access to the road leading to the town of McCarthy and the old mining town of Kennecott. You can walk or bicycle the .6 miles to the town of McCarthy or the 5 miles to the historic mining town of Kennecott. Look for the old hand-pulled, open platform  More...

Talk about an authentic pioneer town. Time seems to have stood still on McCarthy's Main Street, which is unpaved, only a few hundred yards long, and lined with classic buildings and memorabilia.

Some visitors walk through McCarthy and complain that there's nothing to do—and that's exactly why folks like living here. But while you may not find much activity, you will find a  More...

Locals say that "where the road ends, the adventure begins," and the McCarthy Road (an adventure in itself) abruptly ends at the Kennicott River. This is a glacially-birthed torrent, and the best place to watch the action is from the footbridge. Pick a spot on the river's edge and watch the water rise and fall. Listen for the rocks pushed along under the surface. And gaze up at the  More...

Known in town as "The Toe," this area—the toe of the glacier—is a large open space at, yes, the toe of the glacier. It's also relatively hidden, so you won't find many people here. What you will find: a lake that's formed below the ice, the spectacular display of rocks falling off the ice into the water, and, sometimes, a party or concert (an abandoned flatbed truck serves  More...

You can't escape the town's historical dynamic, and this museum is the best place to get the inside scoop on its past, including the copper rush that happened between 1900 and 1938. The museum building itself is a piece of history, having once been the railw¬ay depot. Check out the pictures of railway construction—196 miles of track from Cordova—which are alone worth  More...