McCarthy Road
Alaska's most notorious approach road
The McCarthy Road is Alaska’s ultimate test of patience — 60 miles of washboard, potholes, and loose planks that will shake your rig apart if you’re not careful. Built on an abandoned railroad bed that once hauled copper ore from the Kennecott mines, this notorious road ends at the Kennecott River where you park and walk across a footbridge to reach McCarthy, one of Alaska’s most authentic frontier towns. The road passes through stunning Wrangell-St. Elias National Park with views of massive glaciers and 16,000-foot peaks.
This is a moderate to difficult drive that destroys rental cars and humbles overconfident drivers. You’ll need high clearance and aggressive tread — this road eats tires. Bring a full-size spare and tire repair kit. Several creek crossings can be tricky during spring runoff. Open roughly May through October, but check conditions first. The reward is stepping back in time to Alaska’s mining era and accessing some of the most spectacular wilderness in North America.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Historic, Mining History, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 60 mi / 96.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2200 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Chitina, Alaska |
| Land manager | National Park Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| 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 McCarthy Road, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can make it, but the road is notoriously rough with embedded railroad spikes, sharp rocks, and unpredictable ruts that shred tires fast. Run quality all-terrain tires in good condition, carry at least two full-size spares, and go slow — most people who get into trouble here were moving too fast for the surface.
When does McCarthy Road open for the season, and can I drive it in early May?
The road is typically passable May through October, but early May can mean soft, muddy sections and ice patches depending on the year. Check current conditions with Wrangell-St. Elias National Park before you commit — spring breakup can make even high-clearance rigs dig in deep.
Do I need a permit to drive McCarthy Road, and is there a fee?
No permit is required to drive the road itself, and there's no entrance fee for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. If you're camping in the park, follow Leave No Trace and NPS backcountry regulations — dispersed camping is allowed but check the NPS site for any current restrictions.
What's the hardest part of McCarthy Road and what should I actually expect?
The road is built on an old railroad bed and the entire 60 miles is the hardest part — there's no single crux, just relentless sharp rock, washboard, and the ever-present threat of a tire-destroying railroad spike punching through your sidewall. Speeds above 25 mph are asking for a blowout; most people average 15-20 mph and treat it like a slow, sustained endurance run.
Is there any place to get gas or supplies along McCarthy Road, and how do I plan fuel?
There is no gas between Chitina and McCarthy — fuel up completely in Glennallen or Chitina before you start, and plan for the round trip (120+ miles of rough driving burns more fuel than highway). Cell service is nonexistent the entire route, so carry a satellite communicator and have your recovery gear sorted before you leave pavement.
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.