Kennecott to McCarthy Road — Wrangell-St. Elias Glacier Country Drive
Railroad spikes, glacier views, and zero cell service.
The McCarthy Road follows the old Copper River and Northwestern Railway bed from Chitina to the Kennicott River, where you park, cross a footbridge, and walk or hitch into McCarthy and the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark. The roadbed still has embedded railroad spikes that’ll shred a sidewall if you get careless — ask anyone who’s run it with a full overlanding rig and a nail through a BFG. The Kuskulana Bridge, a 525-foot single-lane span 238 feet above the river, is the kind of crossing that makes passengers grip the oh-shit handle. Beyond it, the road pushes through boreal spruce, braided glacial outwash, and views of Root Glacier that feel genuinely prehistoric.
High clearance is mandatory; 4WD helps on the soft gravel sections after rain. Carry two full-size spares — this is not negotiable. Cell service: zero. The road is maintained by the state but only minimally, so early-summer washouts are common. Best window is late June through early September before freeze-up. Fuel in Chitina; the nearest real services are back in Glennallen. What you get out of it is one of the most dramatic backcountry drives in North America, full stop.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 60 mi / 96.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3000 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD minimum, 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Chitina, AK |
| Land manager | Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve / Alaska DOT |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | nps.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle the McCarthy Road, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner handles it fine. The road is rough gravel and dirt on an old railroad grade — the bigger threat is embedded railroad spikes that can shred tires, not technical obstacles requiring suspension upgrades.
When does the McCarthy Road actually open, and can I drive it in May or October?
June through September is the reliable window. May and October are possible but the road can be muddy, washed out, or closed after freeze-thaw cycles — the Park Service and Alaska DOT don't maintain it to a predictable standard outside summer.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive the McCarthy Road into Wrangell-St. Elias?
No permit and no fee to drive the road itself. Wrangell-St. Elias has no entrance fee. If you're hiking backcountry beyond the road corridor, check NPS regulations, but driving in and camping dispersed along the route costs nothing.
What's the hardest or most dangerous part of the drive?
The old railroad spikes and sharp gravel are the real danger — blowouts are common and people have been stranded out here. Bring at least two full-size spares, not a donut. The road itself has no serious technical sections, but the remoteness makes any breakdown a serious situation.
Where's the last gas before the McCarthy Road, and how far out am I really going?
Chitina is your last realistic fuel stop before the road. It's roughly 60 miles to the end at McCarthy, and there's zero cell service the entire route — plan for fuel, food, and mechanical self-sufficiency before you leave pavement in Chitina.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.