Everything You Need to Know About Getting to McCarthy, Alaska
*Disclosure: I only recommend products/services that I would use myself & all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links meaning that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission which in turn helps fund my next adventure! Please read the Privacy Policy for more information.
When you start planning a trip to McCarthy, Alaska, one of the first questions that comes up is “How do you even get there?” And honestly, I asked myself the same thing. This small town tucked inside Wrangell–St. Elias National Park is about as remote as it gets. Between horror stories of the rough dirt road, the long drive from Anchorage, and the idea of taking a tiny bush plane, it can feel a little intimidating at first.
But the truth is, getting to McCarthy is part of the adventure, and it’s absolutely worth it! Whether you choose to drive yourself, hop on a shuttle, or fly in on a small plane, each option offers its own kind of Alaskan experience. I ended up driving to McCarthy from Anchorage, and while I was nervous at first, it turned out to be an unforgettable journey that felt just as memorable as the days spent in McCarthy and Kennicott.
In this post, I’ll break down all the different ways you can get to McCarthy, what to expect from each, and a few tips from my own experience to make the trip smoother. Because while it might take a little extra effort to reach, you’ll have an adventure you won’t find anywhere else in Alaska. It’s truly a unique experience!
View from McCarthy Footbridge
Where is McCarthy, Alaska?
McCarthy is located inside Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States. To give you an idea of just how massive this place is, it’s about the size of six Yellowstone Parks put together. Yet despite its size, very few visitors ever make it here, which is exactly what makes McCarthy so special.
From Anchorage, McCarthy is roughly 300 miles away, or about a 7–8 hour journey depending on how you travel. The route feels straightforward at first, with plenty of highway driving through mountain scenery and small Alaskan towns. But once you pass the little community of Chitina, things change. This is where the legendary McCarthy Road begins. The McCarthy Road is a 60-mile stretch of dirt and gravel that winds its way through remote wilderness before finally reaching the footbridge into town. Outside vehicles aren’t allowed in the town, so you have to park your vehicle at the end of the road and cross the footbridge to reach the town.
It’s remote, it’s rugged, and yes, it takes a little more planning and effort than most trips. But that’s also what makes arriving in McCarthy feel like such an accomplishment. You know you’ve reached somewhere truly unique and off the beaten path.
Driving to McCarthy from Anchorage
The most common way to get to McCarthy is by driving yourself, and it’s the option that gives you the most freedom to stop, explore, and go at your own pace. We flew into Anchorage and picked up a rental car from Alaska 4x4 Rentals at the airport and stayed near Eklutna Lake at BlueWater BaseCamp before making the journey to McCarthy.
One very important thing to note is that not every rental company in Alaska allows its vehicles to be driven on the McCarthy Road, so it’s important to double-check before you book. I personally rented through Alaska 4x4 Rentals and can’t recommend them enough. The process was smooth, the car was in good condition, and there were no issues or extra questions about heading down McCarthy Road. Having a reliable vehicle made the whole drive feel less stressful and a lot more enjoyable.
The majority of the drive is spent on the highway, and it’s a very easy, scenic drive the entire way to Chitina, which is where the road to McCarthy begins. Throughout the route to Chitina, there are tons of scenic viewpoints and pull-outs where you can park and take in the views. We stopped about 5 times, and it was a great way to break up the drive. You’ll pass everything from glaciers to giant mountains on your way to McCarthy Road, and we took advantage of almost every viewpoint.
The town of Glennallen is the last major hub and the perfect place to fill your tank and grab some food. As you arrive in Glennallen, you’ll be greeted by Mt. Drum in the distance if it’s a clear day. The mountain is smack in line with the highway, and you’ll drive straight towards it until you arrive in town. This is where the highway splits off to go south to Valdez and Chitina. There’s not much in Glennallen, but I’ve heard great things about the Thai food truck, and there’s a visitor’s center that’s worth stopping into for a map of McCarthy and other nearby destinations.
Between Glennallen and Chitina lies the Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center. I highly recommend that you stop here for a bathroom break, to stretch your legs, and to learn more about the area. There is an easy loop trail that takes you around the visitor center property and leads to stunning views of Mt. Drum. Once you’re ready for the last leg of the trip, hop back in the car and make your way to Chitina.
You’ve reached the beginning of McCarthy Road when you arrive in Chitina. Chitina is a very small community with no places to eat or fill up with gas, so please, please, please make sure that you get gas before getting to Chitina. There is a small visitor center at Chitina, and they can give you details about the road conditions that day if you’re concerned. This is the leg of the trip that we were most nervous about, but in all honesty, it ended up not being so bad. We averaged 30mph the entire time and went well below that in some of the rougher areas. Maybe we were lucky, but we didn’t see any other vehicles that had gotten a flat tire or any railroad spikes, despite the horror stories you read online.
Kuskulana Bridge on McCarthy Road
What It's Really Like on the McCarthy Road
The final 60 miles into McCarthy are along the infamous McCarthy Road. Once a railway bed that carried ore from the Kennicott mines, it’s now a dirt and gravel road maintained by the National Park Service. While it is graded from time to time, it’s still bumpy, narrow, and slow-going. Most travelers spend at least two hours on this stretch.
If you’ve read stories about the road online, you might expect the worst: flat tires, breakdowns, washouts. And while it’s important to be prepared, in reality, it’s a road that just requires patience. Go slow, watch for potholes, and you’ll be fine. For me, the nervousness I felt at the start of the dirt road quickly turned into excitement. It felt like we were really headed into Alaska’s wild side, and the entire time, my eyes were on the lookout for wildlife.
Even though the ride is rough, it’s absolutely beautiful. You’ll pass serene ponds, a couple of scenic viewpoints with pullouts, and remnants of an elevated railroad track. One of my favorite parts of McCarthy Road was crossing the Kuskulana Bridge. This historic single-lane bridge is 525 feet long and about one-third of the way from Chitina to McCarthy.
Once you arrive at the end of the road, there will be a turnaround point with a parking lot on the left. This is Base Camp Kennicott, where you can park your car and pay by the day. Reservations are not required for parking, and the daily fee is $12, or $6 for up to four hours. You simply park your car and check in with the camp host inside the office. After paying for your parking, you’ll receive a piece of paper that you’ll put next to your windshield, pack up your luggage, and cross the McCarthy Footbridge.
If you’re considering driving a campervan out to McCarthy, this lot also allows RVs and campers. I was surprised by how many RVs we saw out there despite the rough road conditions. It’s definitely doable!
Road Trip Checklist Before You Go to McCarthy
Gas up in Glennallen, before Chitina - there are no gas stations once you’re on McCarthy Road.
Bring snacks and water - there aren’t many places to eat along the way. Glennallen has the most options.
Plan for extra time - there are tons of scenic overviews along the highway before the dirt road with views of mountains and glaciers. I’d also recommend stopping at the Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center before Chitina.
Be flexible - think of the drive as part of the adventure, not just a way to get from A to B.
Make sure you have a spare tire - this goes for any road trip, but especially this one.
Driving to McCarthy might sound intimidating, but once you’re on the road, it feels more adventurous than scary. By the time you reach the footbridge into town, you’ll feel like you’ve really earned the experience.
Taking a Shuttle Bus to McCarthy
If driving the McCarthy Road feels a little outside your comfort zone, don’t worry, you can still get there without ever driving yourself down the dirt road. Several companies offer shuttle service from Chitina, Glennallen, or even Anchorage to McCarthy, making it one of the most stress-free ways to arrive.
The shuttles are typically comfortable passenger vans with room for luggage, and they follow the same route you would if you were driving yourself. The difference is you get to sit back, relax, and let someone else navigate the bumps and potholes. For many travelers, especially those short on time or nervous about the dirt road, this is the easiest choice.
Here are the main options:
Kennicott Shuttle - Daily summer service from Glennallen, Copper Center, and Chitina into McCarthy. Rates range from $139-$169 round-trip, or $119-$149 round-trip from Chitina.
Overflow Transit - Twice-weekly service from Anchorage to McCarthy during summer (May–September). Rates are $225 each way. They also offer shuttle services from Glennallen, Chitina, & Valdez.
Who it’s best for: solo travelers who don’t want to drive, anyone worried about rental car issues, or those who prefer not to deal with unpaved roads.
While I didn’t take the shuttle myself, it’s nice to know there are options if you’d rather skip the driving and still want to experience McCarthy. I considered this option when planning out my trip, but ultimately it didn’t work out since we wanted to spend a few nights in Palmer before heading back home.
Flying to McCarthy
For those who don’t mind flying in a small plane, or those who simply want to save time, taking a bush plane into McCarthy is an unforgettable option and mixes the best of both worlds. Wrangell Mountain Air runs daily flights into McCarthy from Chitina during the summer months. Chitina is a small community right where the dirt road begins, so you’ll need to drive to Chitina, but that part of the drive is smooth highway. The flight takes about 30 minutes, which means you skip the 60-mile dirt road entirely and get treated to some of the most spectacular aerial views in Alaska.
Flying over Wrangell–St. Elias is an experience in itself and is one of the top things to do in McCarthy. From above, you’ll see endless mountains, braided rivers, and even the Kennicott and Root Glaciers sprawling across the landscape. Many travelers say the flight is a highlight of their trip, and not just a way to get there.
Rates are $430 per person for round-trip flights from Chitina to McCarthy. Wrangell Mountain Air also offers custom charter flights from Anchorage, Glennallen, and Valdez if you want to make the flight part of a bigger itinerary.
Who it’s best for: travelers short on time, those nervous about driving McCarthy Road, or anyone who wants to splurge on a truly unique Alaskan experience.
While I didn’t take the bush plane to McCarthy, I did take a flightseeing tour with Wrangell Mountain Air during my stay in McCarthy, and it was an absolute dream. I was mesmerized and glued to the window for 70 minutes straight and loved every second of the tour. So, if you’re willing to invest in it, this is one of the most memorable ways to arrive in McCarthy.
No matter which option you choose, getting to McCarthy is part of the adventure. Although the drive was long, I personally loved being able to go at my own pace and stopping along the way to take in the scenery. It felt like a rite of passage into one of Alaska’s most unique towns. But if you’re short on time or not up for the bumpy road, the shuttle or bush plane are equally great choices.
Getting to McCarthy isn’t the easiest journey in Alaska, but that’s exactly what makes it so special and rewarding. But I promise, as soon as you arrive, you’ll be in awe of your surroundings and the adventures that lie ahead.
Once you cross that footbridge and step into town, you’ll know the effort was worth it. Between the history of Kennicott, the chance to hike Root Glacier, and the warm welcome from the seasonal community, McCarthy has a way of sticking with you long after you’ve left.
If you’re ready to start planning your visit, check out my Complete Guide to McCarthy, Alaska, where I break down what to see, do, and eat once you arrive. You might also love my 4 Days in Palmer, Alaska itinerary or my post on Glacier Paddleboarding at Knik Glacier - both are perfect add-ons to a Southcentral Alaska trip.
No matter how you end up getting to McCarthy, it’ll be an adventure you’ll never forget!
Happy travels!
-Tess
Looking for more information about Alaska? Check out these articles!
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!