Major city · United States
McCarthy
Spend 1–2 days in McCarthy for historic sites and glacier walks; fly to Anchorage then drive or shuttle the 60‑mi gravel road.
McCarthy is a tiny historic mining town inside Wrangell‑St. Elias National Park. The main attractions – the Root Glacier, historic Kennicott, and short hikes – fit in a half‑day to a full day. Travel time from Anchorage is 6–7 h by car or a short flight plus shuttle, so most visitors stay one night and leave the next morning.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (road open, weather mild)
- avoid Oct–May (road often closed, heavy snow)
- Airport
- GKN
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for McCarthyopen ▾
- Police (non‑emergency)907‑822‑5234
- Fire/Medical911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about McCarthy, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyMcCarthy is remote but safe; main risks are road conditions and weather; carry a cell with emergency contacts.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers907‑822‑5234 police (non‑emergency) · 911 fire/medical
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGKN Gulkana Airport.
- Getting aroundThe 60‑mi McCarthy Road is gravel; most visitors drive a 4WD or take a shuttle from Chitina.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at The Potato$3–$5
- Metro or bus ridePizza Bus slice$8–$12
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed (Kennicott River Lodge), a night, per personUS$35
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (Kennicott Glacier Lodge), a night, per roomUS$200
- High-end bedPrivate room (Kennicott Glacier Lodge), a night, per roomUS$300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GKN Gulkana Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−4°C (24°F)24°F (−4°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Avoid
4°C (38°F)38°F (4°C)
Apr
Avoid
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Jul
Best
43°C (110°F)110°F (43°C)
Aug
Best
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (92°F)92°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (38°F)38°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Oct–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (43°C (110°F)110°F (43°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (49°F)49°F (9°C) low), wettest Jul (3 rain days), driest Mar (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
McCarthy: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−4°C (24°F)24°F (−4°C)
9°C (49°F)49°F (9°C)
1 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Mar
4°C (38°F)38°F (4°C)
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
0 rd
Apr
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
0 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
62°C (144°F)144°F (62°C)
1 rd
Jun
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
70°C (157°F)157°F (70°C)
2 rd
Jul
43°C (110°F)110°F (43°C)
71°C (161°F)161°F (71°C)
3 rd
Aug
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
67°C (152°F)152°F (67°C)
3 rd
Sep
33°C (92°F)92°F (33°C)
56°C (132°F)132°F (56°C)
3 rd
Oct
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
2 rd
Nov
4°C (38°F)38°F (4°C)
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
1 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
21°C (69°F)69°F (21°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The 60‑mi McCarthy Road is gravel; most visitors drive a 4WD or take a shuttle from Chitina. Within town walk or bike; footbridge to Kennicott is 0.5 mi.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Root Glacier
goDoor to door: ≈1 h round‑trip
Walk 2 mi from Kennicott; guide services available in Kennicott.
Glacier walk is easy; bring sturdy boots.
Historic Kennicott
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Footbridge from McCarthy, then 0.5 mi walk uphill.
Open museum of copper mining.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kennicott River Lodge & Hostel
Lodge with dorms, sauna, fire pit; walk 0.5 mi from footbridge to McCarthy.
Kennicott Glacier Lodge
Rooms in main lodge; daily shuttle to McCarthy.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–$120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–$200 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed (Kennicott River Lodge)2 × 3 nights × US$45 | US$270 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$130 | US$780 |
| Ellis Air round‑trip (Glennallen‑McCarthy)2 × US$150 · check | US$300 |
| Shuttle from Chitina (round‑trip)2 × US$80 · check | US$160 |
| Trip total≈ US$252 per person per day, bed included | US$1,510 |
check
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at The Potato | $3–$5 |
| Meal at The Golden Saloon | $12–$20 |
| Pizza Bus slice | $8–$12 |
| Shuttle from Chitina | $70–$90 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road is prone to potholes, washouts and flat‑tire incidents; check conditions with park headquarters (907‑822‑5234).
- Summer shuttles run only May‑Sept; verify schedule with Backcountry Connections or Wrangell‑St. Elias Tours.
- Weather can change quickly; bring rain/wind jacket, hat, gloves.
Emergency numbers
- Police (non‑emergency)
- 907‑822‑5234
- Fire/Medical
- 911
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
McCarthyMcCarthy
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Emergency
- Police (non‑emergency)907‑822‑5234
- Fire/Medical911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ellis Air Glennallen → McCarthy: about $150 round‑trip
- Shuttle Chitina → McCarthy: about $80 each way
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for McCarthy. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (road open, weather mild) · avoid Oct–May (road often closed, heavy snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a 1‑night stay at a lodge in Kennicott for glacier walk.
- Combine with a 2‑night drive from Anchorage to explore Wrangell‑St. Elias.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – McCarthy
- secondaryWikivoyage: McCarthy, revision 5203912 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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