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Reached by the long, unpaved McCarthy Road (or light aircraft), this historic former ghost town has one of America’s most spectacular settings.

This tiny town of old wooden cabins and restored boomtown era buildings is car-free and provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, while at its doorstep are rugged peaks and raging rivers fed by massive glaciers.

Kennicott mine

Kennicott Mine near  McCarthyMcCarthy faces the Kennicott Glacier’s terminal moraine and the abandoned former copper mining town of the same name is not far away. In 1900 'Tarantula Jack' Smith and Clarence Warner discovered one of the richest copper deposits ever found here. When it was exhausted in 1938 almost everything was left behind and today the mine makes a haunting ruin to wander around.

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Suggested itinerary featuring McCarthy & Kennicott

This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in McCarthy & Kennicott, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of McCarthy & Kennicott

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near McCarthy & Kennicott

    Accommodation choices for McCarthy & Kennicott

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit McCarthy & Kennicott. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    Ideas for experiencing McCarthy & Kennicott

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting McCarthy & Kennicott, and which use the best local guides.

    • Half Day Glacier Hike
      Kennicott Glacier, Alaska

      Half Day Glacier Hike

      Half Day Glacier Hike

      Depart Kennicott on a two-mile trail that was originally built in the 1920s as a wagon road. Along the way stops will be made to discuss glaciology and local geology and take in the spectacular views of the rock-covered Kennicott Glacier and the surrounding mountain peaks.

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