Stroll down the dirt road of wrecked wooden buildings that remain from a gold rush town in a glacial valley.
McCarthy is a sleepy village with old-world structures and historic relics relating to the former mining industry. Adjacent to the Kennecott Copper Company, the town thrived in the early 1900s, when the metal was mined and transported to the coast. Relish the spectacular views of forests and mountains in the glacier-carved valley in which the town lies.
Get a feel for the town as you walk past its old buildings. Note how the structures seem like relics from a bygone era the village has hardly changed since the early 1900s. Imagine the site bustling with busy families and workers nearly 100 years ago.
Hear about the town’s infamous shooting in 1983, when a 39-year-old murdered six of the 22 residents. It featured on the Discovery show Alaska Ice Cold Killers. In present day, around 30 people live in McCarthy.
Visit the neighboring town of Kennicott, which is known for its fascinating mining building that is built onto a hill. Climb up and down the 14 stories of the large red structure to see the former offices and halls of the Kennecott Copper Company.
The towns lie in a picturesque region of snow-capped mountains and vast glacial valleys. Hike through Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and PreserveOpens in a new window, the largest of its kind in the United States. Capture photos of Mount St. Elias, which is the second-highest point in the country.
Head to the northern part of the park for the impressive Nabesna Glacier, which is the longest in North America. Tana Glacier is to the south of McCarthy and is flanked by rocky columns.
McCarthy is in the southeastern region of Alaska, close to the Canadian border. Travel west for 300 miles (480 kilometers) to get to Anchorage and the glacial parks of the Kenai PeninsulaOpens in a new window. Driving is not permitted in the town, so it is best to get a short flight from Anchorage.
The town of McCarthy offers a glimpse into the gold rush amid spectacular views of the largest national park in the U.S.
