McCarthy Road — Chitina to the Kennicott River
Old railbed to a ghost town at the end of the road
The McCarthy Road follows the old Copper River and Northwestern Railway grade, built to haul copper out of Kennecott. The rails are long gone, but the railroad’s fingerprints are everywhere. You leave Chitina and cross the Copper River, then roll onto a narrow gravel shelf above the Kuskulana River. The Kuskulana Bridge is a 1910 railroad span, 525 feet long and 238 feet above the water, and it has almost no railings. A few miles later you cross the Gilahina Trestle. Spruce and muskeg close in, then open to glacier views. The road dead-ends at the Kennicott River. There’s no bridge for vehicles, only a footbridge, and you walk the last stretch into McCarthy.
This isn’t technical, but it isn’t casual either. Expect washboard, potholes, and sharp rocks that eat tires, so carry a full-size spare and a plug kit. A stock high-clearance 4×4 or a decent AWD is plenty. Many rental agreements ban this road, so read the fine print. Fuel up in Chitina, because there’s none on the road. Cell service is basically nonexistent, and the gravel is best from late May to mid-September. State land along the road allows free camping in spots. You get a quiet, wild corner of Wrangell-St. Elias and a ghost town at the end. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 59 mi / 95 km |
| Duration | 3-4 hours one way |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1700 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance, AWD acceptable |
| Nearest town | McCarthy, Alaska |
| Land manager | Alaska DOT&PF / Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Wrangell-St. Elias NPS |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock AWD crossover or SUV drive the McCarthy Road?
Yes. It's a graded gravel road, and a stock high-clearance vehicle or AWD is enough in dry conditions. The real threats are washboard, potholes, and flat tires, so carry a full-size spare, a jack, and a plug kit. Check your rental agreement too, since many rental companies prohibit this road.
Is the McCarthy Road open in winter?
The road is not maintained to summer standards in winter, and snow, ice, and drifting make it a serious remote trip with no cell service. Most lodging, food, and services in McCarthy close for the season. Best access is June through September.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive the McCarthy Road?
No permit or toll is needed to drive the road, and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park doesn't charge an entrance fee. Expect to pay private parking fees at the end of the road near the Kennicott River. Much of the land along the corridor is private, so check land status before camping.
What's the hardest part of the McCarthy Road?
The hardest parts are mostly mental: narrow one-lane bridges like the Kuskulana, long stretches of washboard, and soft shoulders where trucks push you over. Slow down for blind crests and bridge approaches. Nothing technical is involved, but a flat tire 30 miles from help is the usual trip-ender.
Can I drive all the way to McCarthy or Kennicott, and where do I get fuel?
No. The road ends at the Kennicott River, and you cross on a pedestrian footbridge, then walk or take a shuttle into McCarthy (about 1 mile) and Kennicott (about 5 miles). Fuel is not available along the 59 miles, so fill up in Chitina or Glennallen before you go. Budget 3-4 hours one way and tell someone your plan, since there's no cell service.
Trail track
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