Copper River scenery; personal-use dipnet fisheries are resident-only
Chitina marks the junction of the Copper and Chitina rivers and the start of the McCarthy Road.
Alaska local guide · Draft
Chitina
Chitina marks the junction of the Copper and Chitina rivers and the start of the McCarthy Road.
- Gateway towns
- Chitina
- Nearest major airport
- Anchorage (ANC); Fairbanks (FAI) for a northern approach
- Best months
- June–September; remote roads are seasonal
- Getting there
- Edgerton Highway from the Richardson Highway.
Overview
Chitina marks the junction of the Copper and Chitina rivers and the start of the McCarthy Road.
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Highlights
Chitina marks the junction of the Copper and Chitina rivers and the start of the McCarthy Road.
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Mountains
The local skyline shapes weather and access.
Wrangell Mountains
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
Protected lands have different access, camping and activity rules.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Check the land manager's current visitor information before arranging travel.
Type: preserve
Land manager: National Park Service
Permits: Confirm reservations, commercial operator permissions and backcountry requirements with the land manager.
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Hiking
Routes depend on weather, land access and seasonal conditions.
Liberty Falls Trail nearby
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.
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Fishing
Species availability depends on the exact water, season and current closures.
Copper River sport-fishing waters where open
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Salmon where open
Current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders
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Hunting
Hunting is location- and permit-specific; park and preserve rules differ.
Licenses and land access
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.
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
A four-wheel-drive vehicle does not create a right to drive off-road.
Roads and vehicle access
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.
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Rafting & Paddling
Water trips require cold-water equipment and a realistic evacuation plan.
Copper River expeditions; strong current, silt and difficult rescue
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
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Wildlife
View wildlife without approaching, feeding or blocking travel routes.
Eagles and moose
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
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Camping
Confirm legal sites, reservations and food-storage requirements.
Liberty Falls State Recreation Site nearby
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
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Other Activities
Local operators and cultural institutions offer different ways to explore.
Copper River scenery; personal-use dipnet fisheries are resident-only
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
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Access & Logistics
Allow extra time for weather and seasonal transport changes.
Getting there and around
Edgerton Highway from the Richardson Highway.
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Gallery
In pictures
Wrangell-St. Elias & Copper Basin
More in this region
McCarthy & Kennecott
Historic Kennecott copper mills stand above a glacier beside McCarthy, a gateway to the vast Wrangell-St. Elias backcountry.
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.
