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Explore the Ghost Towns of McCarthy & Kennicott in Wrangell St. Elias National Park

7 days / 6 nights, from/to Anchorage

Are you looking for the most stunning scenery combined with adventure and history?
McCarthy / Kennicott in Wrangell St Elias National Park is the destination to visit!
Enjoy a week filled with adventures that begin with getting here on the McCarthy Road, a 60-mile-long true Alaska gravel road.  Explore the amazing Wrangell St. Elias National Park by foot or by plane, on trails, hiking the glacier, enjoying from a bird’s eyes view– the largest National Park in the U.S. truly is the secret gem in Alaska.

Itinerary
Accommodations
Rates And Services
Optional Excursions
Request

Highlights

Drive the McCarthy Road and spend two days in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Explore Wrangell St. Elias National Park the way you like

GoNorth SUV 4×4 with gravel road permission

Day 1 Anchorage

Arrival in Anchorage. Spend the day exploring Alaska’s largest city. Visit the museums, enjoy a walk along the waterfront or explore the downtown area.

Day 2 Anchorage to Matanuska Area (110 miles)

Start your adventure north on the Glenn Highway. Enjoy the rather short first drive and marvel at the beautiful scenery you drive through. Once you passed Palmer, a community that is a bit of pioneer Alaska but also a modern-day commercial center for the Matanuska and Susitna valleys, your scenic drive offers great views of the glaciers. If you want to add some adventure to your first day on the road, we suggest adding the Matanuska Glacier Hike. Spend the night in one of the local’s favorite places in the area.

Day 3 Matanuska Area to McCarthy (170 miles)

Today you will drive to the amazing Wrangell St. Elias National Park, the largest National Park in the US. 9 of the 16 highest peaks in North America are located in this park. The road ends just before McCarthy, a very charming ghost town that was once an important town for the world’s formerly most productive copper mine in Kennicott.
Depending on the chosen accommodation, you stay at Currant Ridge cabins, 3 miles before the foot bridge and enjoy the evenings on the deck of your own Alaskan Log cabin or enjoy the peace and quiet of Kennicott in the evening when staying at Kennicott Lodge.

Day 4 McCarthy/Kennicot

Free day to explore the area. Go on a glacier hike, visit the old copper mine in Kennicott on a guided tour, take a hike in the park or go on a scenic flight and enjoy the incredible scenery from above. See our suggested add-ons for more information.

Day 5 McCarthy to Palmer/Wasilla (270 miles)

Enjoy another morning exploring McCarthy and Kennicott before heading back to the Matanuska area. If you have more time and want to add another adventure, we’re happy to send you a customized quote including Denali Highway.

Day 6 Palmer/Wasilla to Anchorage (43 miles)

Return to Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. If you want to see more, take the detour via Hatcher Pass Road and explore the Independence Mine State Historical Park before driving to Anchorage.

Day 7 Anchorage

Return of your SUV and end of trip.

Accommodations

For your stay in McCarthy/Kennicott you can either stay at Kennicott Glacier Lodge with shared bathrooms or at Currant Ridge Cabins with private bath and kitchen, 3 miles before the foot bridge – pending availability. Let us know what you would prefer. There’s also the possibility to upgrade to a room with private bath at Kennicott Glacier Lodge if available, and to pre-book meals.

Customize your adventure:

  • Matanuska Glacier Hike (Milepost 102.5 off of the Glenn Highway)– Ice Fall Trek – $125.00 per person
  • Kennicott Mill Town Tour (Kennicott) – $40.00 per person
  • Half Day Root Glacier Hike (Kennicott) – $115.00 per person
    Full Day Root Glacier Hike (Kennicott) – $155.00 per person
  • Toe of the Glacier Kayak Paddle (Kennecott) – $115.00 per person
  • Ice climbing (Kennicott) – $170.00 per person
  • Flight-seeing (McCarthy)– starting from $250.00 per person

Too many adventures for just 2 nights? Add as many additional nights in McCarthy / Kennicott as you like.

RATES 2025 WITH GONORTH SUV

Available from May 29 to September 10.

From/to Anchorage

Room Per Person Booking Code
Double $1699 GON2005
Single $3397 GON2004
Triple $1242 GON2006

INCLUDING

  • All overnight accommodations including tax
  • GoNorth 5-passenger SUV 4×4 with unlimited miles, standard Collision Damage Waiver (CDW reduces responsibility for damage to the rental unit up to USD 2000.00 per incident. A security deposit of USD 2000.00 will be charged upon pick up)
  • Gravel road permission
  • Detailed itinerary description

*Additional VIP Protection with glass and tire coverage is available for $12 plus tax per day (lowers deductible to $1000.00).

CANCELLATION POLICY

Up to 31 days before departure date 30%
30 – 21 days before departure date 50%
20 – 14 days before departure date 75%
13 – 0 days before departure date 100 %

Recommended Add-Ons

If you want to extend your stay in Alaska, we do have some great add-ons for you!

Request

Use this form to request a non-binding quote for our Explore the Ghost Towns of McCarthy & Kennicott road trip. One of our destination specialists will contact you shortly with specific pricing and itinerary information.

You can use the box below to let us know about any additions or changes you would like to make to the tour.

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