McCarthy Road is a 60-mile road that will take you deep into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Originally an old railway to service the Kennecott Mines, the road was later transformed into the dirt and gravel road that it is today. Rugged and narrow at times, it’s a rare opportunity to drive deep into one of Alaska’s national parks. Count on about 2 hours each way as potholes and other obstructions will make the voyage longer. Along the way, you’ll see the amazing wilderness and get spectacular views of canyons and mountains. The road connects Chitna with the town of McCarthy. It’s a seasonal road that is only maintained in the summer. If you’re renting a car, you’ll want to make sure it’s permitted on the road.

One of the more unique sites in the park is the Kennecott Ghost Town. The town is an abandoned copper mine that is now a National Historic Landmark. Established in 1903, the mine was once the world’s richest copper mine, but was a ghost town by the 1930’s due to the falling price of copper. The 14-story mill building is the highlight of the town, which includes the empty remains of homes and some of the town’s businesses. To reach the town, you’ll need to drive the McCarthy Road, park and walk about 5 miles. To go inside the buildings, you’ll need to use a guided tour company with special permission.

A short distance from Kennecott Ghost Town is the Root Glacier Trail. Only about 1.5 miles out and back, you’ll see the most accessible glacier in the part, as well as great views of the surrounding mountains and peaks. You may also want to have crampons on your shoes or boots if you’re planning on walking on the glacier. Conditions can always be treacherous and you’ll want to be mindful of the presence of bears. The glacier is generally only accessible during the summer months. Guides are also available. Note that the trip to the town itself will be about 4.5 miles from McCarthy Road, so you’ll need to add that to your hike.