Flying Wrangell-St. Elias National Park since 1992

Rates Overview

Flying into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the experience of a lifetime. Find all the details on pricing out your backcountry, flightseeing, or charter trip here.

 
 

2025 Flight Pricing

Overview of flight rates for quick reference


Photo by local photographer and adventurer Luke McKinney.


Photo by world traveler and photographer Mitchell Clark.

Scheduled flights from Chitina to McCarthy-Kennicott

One way rate $215 per person (includes excise tax)
Round trip rate $430 per person (includes excise tax)

Daily Schedule (May 15th - September 15)

McCarthy Departures: 8:30a* - 2:00p - 5:00p
Chitina Departures: 9:05a* - 2:45p - 5:45p

*September 1 until closing day, morning flights take off one hour later, due to later sunrise.

Luggage and Flight Notes

Baggage allowance is 25 lbs. (11 kilos) per person. (Soft luggage only, please). Additional luggage requires purchasing an extra seat. Weather permitting, scenic flight over the glaciers of our beautiful Kennicott Valley included with flights from Chitina to McCarthy.


 
 

Photo by world traveler and photographer Mitchell Clark.

Glacier Adventure Day Trip

Full day package including scenic round-trip flights between Chitina and McCarthy, ground transportation between McCarthy Airport and Kennecott, guided half-day glacier hike (approx. 5 hours) and sack lunch. $575 per person (includes excise tax) / $20 discount for children 12 years and younger.

Flight Schedule

Departs Chitina 9:05a, arriving in McCarthy at 9:40a
Departs McCarthy 5:00p, arriving in Chitina at 5:30p

Guided Glacier Adventure Notes

Suitable for anyone who can hike approximately 5-6 miles. It’s a moderate hike to the glacier (with some steep sections). Bring rain gear (both jacket and pants if possible), warm sweater and/or jacket, good pants for hiking, warm hat and light gloves, sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes, camera, water bottle and a backpack to carry it all.


Photo by world traveler and photographer Mitchell Clark.

Historic Adventure Day Trip

Full day package including scenic round-trip flightS between Chitina and McCarthy, ground transportation between McCarthy Airport, McCarthy and Kennecott, lunch at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge and a guided historic tour of Kennecott (approx. 2 hours). $495 per person (includes excise tax) / $17 discount for children 12 years and younger.

Flight Schedule

Departs Chitina 9:05a, arriving in McCarthy at 9:40a
Departs McCarthy 5:00p, arriving in Chitina at 5:30p

Guided Historic Adventure Notes

Suitable for anyone who can walk approximately one mile, including a hiking trail up a steep hill with 150ft of elevation gain, navigating uneven floors and descend multiple sets of steep and uneven stairs with low headroom inside the buildings.


Photo by local photographer and adventurer Luke McKinney.

Flightseeing Tours

All flightseeing tours originate at the McCarthy Airport. Tours have a 2 person minimum. Routes may change due to localized weather on the day of your flight; your pilot will modify the route to provide the best experience for the day. Wear a light jacket, long pants, and closed-toed shoes.

Mile High Cliffs Tour

50 minutes: $320 per person
Fly past the amazing Mile High Cliffs and over Nizina Lake, see the Rohn and Regal Glaciers, the Kennicott Glacier and its tributaries, view the Stairway Icefall and Kennicott Mines.

Thirteen Glacier Tour

70 minutes: $390 per person
See the famous Chitistone Canyon, Mile High Cliffs, 13 Glaciers including Russell and Kennicott Glaciers and the amazing Stairway Icefall. Great views of the Kennicott Mines.

Bagley Icefield Tour

90 minutes: $430 per person
Two scenic routes to choose from: The Bagley Icefield and Mt. St. Elias, or the University Range. See some of the highest peaks and largest glaciers.

Jewels of the Wrangells Tour

120 minutes: $520 per person
For those who want it all. Your pilot can fly south over the Bagley Icefield to Icy Bay and head back by the University Range. See some of the highest peaks and largest glaciers and get plenty of geographic diversity along the way.


Photo by world traveler and photographer Mitchell Clark.

Charter Flights to McCarthy - Kennecott

Round-trip rate is double the one-way rate. For air service from elsewhere in Alaska and for larger groups, please call for a quote. Baggage allowance depends on passenger weights; please call with details for more information.


Photo by local photographer and adventurer Luke McKinney.

Raft Drop-Off / Pick-Up

Typical weight/freight capacities for raft trips
Cessna 185: 850lbs
Beaver: 1100lbs

Weight/freight capacity depending on fuel requirements. Weather conditions may decrease load carrying capacity and require an additional airplane.

Photo by world traveler and photographer Mitchell Clark.

2025 Backcountry Rates

Calculating Total Cost

To figure the final cost, add the price of the drop-off location with that of the pick-up spot. Be sure to consider your passenger numbers and the weight of gear to determine which aircraft is appropriate. Typically the weight/freight capacities are up to 60 lbs. of gear per person. Note that weather conditions may decrease load carrying capacity and require an additional airplane.


Photo by world traveler and photographer Mitchell Clark.

Final Items to Note

Reservations

Full payment is required for each reservation. You will receive a confirmation letter via e-mail after your payment has been received. Reservations made through our online portal will receive a payment request which must be met within 3 days to maintain confirmed status. Flights to/from Chitina are subject to a 7.5% federal excise tax which is included in the rates above.

All flights include ground transportation from the McCarthy airstrip to and from your accommodation in Kennicott or McCarthy, or to and from the footbridge if your accommodation is located on the westside of the Kennicott River. Wrangell Mountain Air does not provide scheduled transportation to and from Kennicott.

Cancellation Policy

All flights cancelled by Wrangell Mountain Air due to weather will receive a full refund. Cancellations received up until 24 hours prior to a flight result in a 10% cancellation fee of total flight cost. No refunds will be issued for a cancellation made within 24 hours of the flight.

Fuel Surcharge

Due to the fluctuating cost of fuel recently, all flights may be subject to a fuel surcharge.