Historic mill tours and guided glacier walks
McCarthy & Kennecott
Historic Kennecott copper mills stand above a glacier beside McCarthy, a gateway to the vast Wrangell-St. Elias backcountry.
Alaska region guide · Draft
Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin
The Copper Basin lies beneath immense volcanic and glaciated mountains. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve surrounds historic Kennecott, the McCarthy and Nabesna roads and expedition-scale wilderness.
- Gateway towns
- Glennallen, Copper Center, Chitina, McCarthy, Slana
- Nearest major airport
- Anchorage (ANC); Fairbanks (FAI) for a northern approach
- Best months
- June–September; remote roads are seasonal
- Getting there
- Glenn and Richardson highways; gravel McCarthy and Nabesna roads or air taxis.
Overview
The Copper Basin lies beneath immense volcanic and glaciated mountains. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve surrounds historic Kennecott, the McCarthy and Nabesna roads and expedition-scale wilderness.
Local guides
Inside Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin
McCarthy & Kennecott
Historic Kennecott copper mills stand above a glacier beside McCarthy, a gateway to the vast Wrangell-St. Elias backcountry.
Chitina
Chitina marks the junction of the Copper and Chitina rivers and the start of the McCarthy Road.
Glennallen
Glennallen is the Copper Basin's service hub at the meeting of the Glenn and Richardson highways.
Nabesna
Nabesna Road reaches the northern edge of Wrangell-St. Elias, with open valleys, alpine routes and remnants of mining history.
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Highlights
The Copper Basin lies beneath immense volcanic and glaciated mountains. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve surrounds historic Kennecott, the McCarthy and Nabesna roads and expedition-scale wilderness.
Copper River scenery; personal-use dipnet fisheries are resident-only
Chitina
Chitina marks the junction of the Copper and Chitina rivers and the start of the McCarthy Road.
Ahtna cultural history and park visitor center
Glennallen
Glennallen is the Copper Basin's service hub at the meeting of the Glenn and Richardson highways.
Volcanic geology and backcountry photography
Nabesna
Nabesna Road reaches the northern edge of Wrangell-St. Elias, with open valleys, alpine routes and remnants of mining history.
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Mountains
Explore mountains across Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Wrangell and Saint Elias mountains
McCarthy & Kennecott
Conditions range from valley walks to technical alpine terrain. Match the route to your experience and obtain local advice.
Wrangell Mountains
Chitina
Conditions range from valley walks to technical alpine terrain. Match the route to your experience and obtain local advice.
Wrangell Mountains
Glennallen
Conditions range from valley walks to technical alpine terrain. Match the route to your experience and obtain local advice.
Wrangell Mountains
Nabesna
Conditions range from valley walks to technical alpine terrain. Match the route to your experience and obtain local advice.
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State & National Parks
Explore state & national parks across Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
McCarthy & Kennecott · Chitina · Nabesna
Check the land manager's current visitor information before arranging travel.
Type: national park
Land manager: National Park Service
Permits: Confirm reservations, commercial operator permissions and backcountry requirements with the land manager.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park visitor center at Copper Center
Glennallen
Check the land manager's current visitor information before arranging travel.
Type: national park
Land manager: National Park Service
Permits: Confirm reservations, commercial operator permissions and backcountry requirements with the land manager.
Content coming soon
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Hiking
Explore hiking across Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Root Glacier approach
McCarthy & Kennecott
Carry navigation, rain layers and bear-safety equipment; confirm current trail or route conditions.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: About 4 mi round trip to the glacier
Access: Seasonal McCarthy Road or air taxi; pedestrian bridge and local shuttle for Kennecott.
Liberty Falls Trail nearby
Chitina
Carry navigation, rain layers and bear-safety equipment; confirm current trail or route conditions.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: About 2 mi round trip
Access: Edgerton Highway from the Richardson Highway.
Visitor-center nature trails
Glennallen
Carry navigation, rain layers and bear-safety equipment; confirm current trail or route conditions.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: Short loops
Access: Paved Glenn or Richardson Highway; fuel and resupply before remote trips.
Skookum Volcano Trail
Nabesna
Carry navigation, rain layers and bear-safety equipment; confirm current trail or route conditions.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Length: About 5 mi round trip
Access: Nabesna Road from Slana; unbridged creek crossings require current advice.
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Fishing
Explore fishing across Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Local streams where open
McCarthy & Kennecott
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Dolly Varden
Copper River sport-fishing waters where open
Chitina
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Salmon where open
Gulkana River
Glennallen
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Arctic grayling · Rainbow trout · Salmon where open
Local lakes and creeks
Nabesna
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Arctic grayling
Current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders
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Hunting
Explore hunting across Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Licenses and land access
McCarthy & Kennecott
Do not assume that public land allows sport hunting. Verify the precise unit, land designation and any permit before planning.
Game management unit: 11
Nonresidents: Nonresidents hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep or mountain goat need a licensed Alaska guide or an eligible Alaska-resident relative; nonresident aliens require a guide for all big game. Check current permits, seasons and emergency orders.
Licenses and land access
Chitina
Do not assume that public land allows sport hunting. Verify the precise unit, land designation and any permit before planning.
Game management unit: 11 / 13D
Nonresidents: Nonresidents hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep or mountain goat need a licensed Alaska guide or an eligible Alaska-resident relative; nonresident aliens require a guide for all big game. Check current permits, seasons and emergency orders.
Licenses and land access
Glennallen
Do not assume that public land allows sport hunting. Verify the precise unit, land designation and any permit before planning.
Game management unit: 13
Nonresidents: Nonresidents hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep or mountain goat need a licensed Alaska guide or an eligible Alaska-resident relative; nonresident aliens require a guide for all big game. Check current permits, seasons and emergency orders.
Licenses and land access
Nabesna
Do not assume that public land allows sport hunting. Verify the precise unit, land designation and any permit before planning.
Game management unit: 11 / 12
Nonresidents: Nonresidents hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep or mountain goat need a licensed Alaska guide or an eligible Alaska-resident relative; nonresident aliens require a guide for all big game. Check current permits, seasons and emergency orders.
Seasons, permits and land restrictions change. Check current Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations before planning a hunt.
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Four-Wheel Drive & Backroads
Explore four-wheel drive & backroads across Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Roads and vehicle access
McCarthy & Kennecott
McCarthy Road is rough gravel; check bridges, conditions and rental terms.
Conditions: Verify seasonal openings, washouts and land permissions.
Vehicle: Check rental exclusions; do not enter uncertain water crossings.
Roads and vehicle access
Chitina
McCarthy Road begins here; check seasonal conditions.
Conditions: Verify seasonal openings, washouts and land permissions.
Vehicle: Check rental exclusions; do not enter uncertain water crossings.
Roads and vehicle access
Glennallen
Richardson Highway and regional gravel access roads.
Conditions: Verify seasonal openings, washouts and land permissions.
Vehicle: Check rental exclusions; do not enter uncertain water crossings.
Roads and vehicle access
Nabesna
Nabesna Road creek crossings change with rain; do not assume a 4WD can cross safely.
Conditions: Verify seasonal openings, washouts and land permissions.
Vehicle: Check rental exclusions; do not enter uncertain water crossings.
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Rafting & Paddling
Explore rafting & paddling across Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Kennicott River guided rafting; technical glacial channels
McCarthy & Kennecott
Kennicott River guided rafting; technical glacial channels
Difficulty: Reach- and weather-dependent; obtain local advice
Season: Generally summer; verify water levels, ice and operator schedules
Copper River expeditions; strong current, silt and difficult rescue
Chitina
Copper River expeditions; strong current, silt and difficult rescue
Difficulty: Reach- and weather-dependent; obtain local advice
Season: Generally summer; verify water levels, ice and operator schedules
Gulkana River floats; rapids vary by section, check flows
Glennallen
Gulkana River floats; rapids vary by section, check flows
Difficulty: Reach- and weather-dependent; obtain local advice
Season: Generally summer; verify water levels, ice and operator schedules
Remote river expeditions; specialist logistics required
Nabesna
Remote river expeditions; specialist logistics required
Difficulty: Reach- and weather-dependent; obtain local advice
Season: Generally summer; verify water levels, ice and operator schedules
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Wildlife
Explore wildlife across Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Black and brown bears, mountain goats
McCarthy & Kennecott
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
Eagles and moose
Chitina
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
Moose and trumpeter swans
Glennallen
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
Dall sheep, moose and bears
Nabesna
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
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Camping
Explore camping across Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Private McCarthy-area campgrounds or park backcountry
McCarthy & Kennecott
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
Liberty Falls State Recreation Site nearby
Chitina
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
Regional BLM and state campgrounds
Glennallen
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
Kendesnii campground
Nabesna
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
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Other Activities
Explore other activities across Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Historic mill tours and guided glacier walks
McCarthy & Kennecott
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
Copper River scenery; personal-use dipnet fisheries are resident-only
Chitina
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
Ahtna cultural history and park visitor center
Glennallen
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
Volcanic geology and backcountry photography
Nabesna
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
Content coming soon
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Access & Logistics
Explore access & logistics across Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Getting there and around
McCarthy & Kennecott
Seasonal McCarthy Road or air taxi; pedestrian bridge and local shuttle for Kennecott.
Getting there and around
Chitina
Edgerton Highway from the Richardson Highway.
Getting there and around
Glennallen
Paved Glenn or Richardson Highway; fuel and resupply before remote trips.
Getting there and around
Nabesna
Nabesna Road from Slana; unbridged creek crossings require current advice.
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Gallery
In pictures
