McCarthy: The Must-See Alaskan Town Cruise Ships Can't Reach
The Wrangell Mountain Air crew just returned from the annual Alaska Travel Industry Association conference, this year held in Juneau! Connecting with other small businesses across the state was invigorating, and it highlighted just how unique McCarthy is, even by Alaska’s wild standards!
Nestled deep in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, McCarthy stands out as a remote haven that’s hard to reach—especially for cruise ship tourists. While most cruise-based travelers stick to Alaska’s coastal cities and highway system, McCarthy is only accessible by plane or a rugged, 60-mile dirt road that branches from the Edgerton Highway. This isolation gives McCarthy a distinct way of life, more akin to settlements in the Arctic Circle than to bustling cruise ports. Yet, I’m here to convince you that extending your Alaskan cruise to visit this heavenly enclave at the end of the road is well worth the journey!
McCarthy serves as the perfect entry point to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States. Spanning over 13 million acres—larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined—this park is a staggering wilderness of mountain ranges, glaciers, and untouched landscapes. From McCarthy, visitors can easily explore some of the park’s most breathtaking features and adventures.
Explore the Historic Kennicott Mines: Just five miles from McCarthy lies the historic mining town of Kennicott. Once a bustling copper mining operation in the early 1900s, Kennicott is now a National Historic Landmark that tells the story of the area’s industrious past. Visitors can take guided tours through the restored buildings and even venture inside the iconic red mill that stands proudly against a backdrop of glaciers.
Glacier Adventures: The mighty Root and Kennicott Glaciers are accessible right from McCarthy. Adventure seekers can hike directly onto these glaciers, try their hand at ice climbing, or join guided tours that offer an up-close look at the dramatic blue ice and crevasses. For an over night trip, you can camp just across the Root glacier on Donoho Basin, or you can keep going and receive a backcountry pickup from Fosse or Lakina air strips.
Best Flightseeing in Alaska: For those craving a bird’s-eye view, we offer flightseeing tours that showcase the park’s incredible scale, revealing endless peaks, valleys, and thousands of glaciers. Wrangell St. Elias National Park has 7 out of 10 of the nation’s highest peaks and the greatest number of glaciers in one park than anywhere else in Alaska, and flightseeing is the only way to see them!
The Big 5: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. If you’re lucky you can see even more than the Big 5 - keep an eye out for moose, bears, Dall sheep, caribou, wolves, wolverines, lynx and even a stray bison!
Epic Remote Backpacking: Visitors can embark on backcountry treks or opt for more leisurely day hikes that promise stunning views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. We provide backcountry drop-offs for both guided and unguided day trips and multi-day trips, including rafting and packrafting trips. For help planning your big adventure, check out our backcountry trips page here.
Life Off the Grid in McCarthy
McCarthy thrives off self-sufficiency. Here, independence is more than a lifestyle; it’s a necessity. The entire community is off the grid, making creative solutions essential for daily living. A visit to McCarthy goes beyond your typical tourist destination. It’s a look into how a real Alaskan community functions, and it’s with a lot of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and community spirit!
Power Supply: Every establishment, from Airbnbs to hotels and local businesses, generates its own power using solar panels, generators, or a combination of the two. It’s common to see rooftops lined with solar panels, ensuring lights stay on even during McCarthy’s seemingly endless summer days.
Water Supply: With few wells in the area, locals source water directly from Clear Creek or McCarthy Creek. Smaller households fill tanks using pumps and ATVs, while bigger operations like Wrangell Mountain Air use a water truck to pump and transport water for their needs. For employees and residents alike, conserving and managing water is an everyday endeavor.
“Pack It In, Pack It Out” Mentality: Trash management in McCarthy is another challenge that visitors must be mindful of. Residents handle their own waste, and our team makes monthly multi-day trips to Anchorage just to dispose of trash and recycling for our crew of 20 people. Visitors are kindly asked to carry out any waste they bring into town—because here, garbage disposal is a major logistical event!
Why Visiting McCarthy is Special
What McCarthy lacks in population, it makes up for in cultural vibrance! Here are some community highlights that keep both locals and visitors entertained:
Live Music: Every Friday and Saturday night, you’ll find lively performances at the Golden Saloon, and sometimes at the beloved local eatery, the Potato. The music scene is the heart of McCarthy’s social life, drawing people in from all corners of the wilderness and even the Lower 48!
Jökulhlaup Whitewater Fest: In early to mid-July, the annual flood of the Kennicott River creates the perfect conditions for a spontaneous and thrilling whitewater festival of sorts. Named for the glacial outburst flood, this event attracts kayakers and thrill-seekers who brave the unpredictable waters. Spectators cheer from the riverbanks, celebrating with bonfires and camaraderie against the backdrop of the Stairway Icefall. Although you won’t be able to plan you trip around it, it is always an exciting time for those lucky enough to witness the flood.
Summer Solstice: Celebrate the endless daylight up at the Angle Station, where musicians and festival-goers gather for an unforgettable summer solstice experience over looking the Root and Kennicott Glaciers.
Fourth of July Parade and Games: McCarthy’s Fourth of July is unlike any other, featuring a historic parade and old-fashioned games that charm visitors and locals alike. This celebration has been going on since the Kennicott Mine was opened in 1903!
Cultural Events at the Wrangell Mountain Center: This community hub offers storytelling nights, poetry jams, yoga classes, birdwatching excursions, nature sketching workshops, and photography tours—highlighting the intersection of art and nature in one of America’s most scenic locales. Their calendar is always full, so there is sure to be an event or two during your stay, but there is always art on display in the historic Hardware Store that the WMC operates out of.
When you come to McCarthy, you aren’t just stepping into the world’s largest national park; you’re entering a tight-knit community that thrives on ingenuity and sheer willpower. At the end of the road, you’ll find adventurers who’ve chosen a life filled with challenges and unparalleled rewards. McCarthy’s location makes it the ideal base for exploring Wrangell-St. Elias. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping outdoor adventures or a tranquil escape into nature’s grandeur, this small town provides a warm welcome to one of America’s last great frontiers. From hiking, rafting, and ice climbing to simply basking in the serenity of untouched wilderness, McCarthy offers a unique way of life for those willing to do the work to call this place their home.
So if you’re thinking of extending your Alaskan cruise, do it! Come to McCarthy! There isn’t a town in Alaska with more character. One trip here and you may never leave. That’s pretty much how this whole town came to be! Hope to see you soon!
Ready to Fly Over Wrangell-St. Elias National Park?
With over 30 years of safe, unforgettable journeys, our experienced pilots are your trusted guides to America’s largest national park. Experience the unparalleled beauty of Wrangell St.-Elias National Park with Wrangell Mountain Air. From flightseeing tours to backcountry adventures, we’ll fly you to Alaska’s most remote and stunning destinations. We make wilderness accessible!
Book your flight today and let the adventure begin!