Deep inside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the red mill buildings of Kennecott sit at the edge of a glacier valley, and the Root Glacier is a hike away. Together they make one of the best days in Alaska: copper-boom history in the morning, ice underfoot in the afternoon.
Getting here takes real planning, and a few things changed in 2026, including a new route onto the Root Glacier. This guide covers access, shuttles, tours, prices, seasons, and how to fit it all into a day. For the bigger northern map, use my Alaska, Dempster, and Churchill hub to plan seasons, pacing, and the routes between stops.
Kennecott and Root Glacier at a Glance
| Item | Details (checked October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Park entrance fee | None; Wrangell-St. Elias does not charge one |
| Main season | Mid-May to mid-September; snow is usually on the ground by late September |
| Kennecott Visitor Center | May 23 to September 13, 2026, daily 9 am to 5 pm |
| Drive time | About 7 to 8 hours from Anchorage; the McCarthy Road alone takes about 3 hours each way |
| Last stretch | No public vehicles; walk the footbridge, then shuttle, bike, or walk about 5 miles |
| Mill tour | About $36 adult, $18 child, 2 hours (St. Elias Alpine Guides, 2026) |
| Root Glacier | About 2.5 miles one way on the 2026 reroute |
| Fuel | None on the McCarthy Road; fill up in Chitina or Kenny Lake |
A quick spelling note: the glacier, river, and lodge use “Kennicott,” while the mining company and mill town use “Kennecott.” You will see both on signs.
Getting to Kennecott
Kennecott is in the park’s Kennecott District, reached by the McCarthy Road from Chitina.
- The route: From Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway east, the Richardson Highway south, and the Edgerton Highway east to Chitina. The McCarthy Road then runs about 59 miles to the Kennicott River footbridge.
- The road: It is gravel, built on the old Copper River and Northwestern Railway bed. NPS warns about potholes, soft shoulders, sharp rocks, old railroad spikes, and one-lane bridges. Carry a full-size spare and a working jack, and do not plan on an RV.
- Rental cars: Most major rental companies do not allow their cars on this road. Check your contract, or look for an independent company that permits gravel roads.
- Parking: Private lots near the footbridge charge for day or overnight parking. Free day parking is available at the State Wayside (mile 55) and the McCarthy Road Information Station (mile 58.6).
- The footbridge: Walk across the Kennicott River. McCarthy is about half a mile beyond.
- The last 5 miles: Private shuttle vans run between the footbridge, McCarthy, and Kennecott in summer. The Copper Town Shuttle sells a day pass (about $15 per person in 2026). You can also walk or bike the road.
Not Driving?
- Van shuttle: Kennicott Shuttle runs daily in summer from the Glennallen and Copper Center area to the footbridge, leaving early morning and returning in the evening. Listed fares run roughly $100 to $170 per person depending on the trip, so confirm before booking.
- Fly: Wrangell Mountain Air lists scheduled flights between Chitina and McCarthy three times daily, plus fly-in day tours from McCarthy.
NPS does not operate any shuttles, so contact the companies directly.
Exploring Kennecott Mill Town
From 1911 to 1938, Kennecott processed nearly $200 million worth of copper. At its peak, about 300 people worked in the mill town and another 200 to 300 in the mines on the ridges above. It was a full company town with a hospital, general store, school, skating rink, tennis court, recreation hall, and dairy. As high-grade ore ran out and railroad costs climbed, the company shut the operation down by 1938.
NPS bought many of the key buildings in 1998. Kennecott has been a National Historic Landmark since 1986 and is considered the best remaining example of early 20th-century copper mining.
What You Can See on Your Own
- General Store and Post Office: The biggest exhibit collection, plus the short film “The Kennecott Mill.”
- North Sacking Shed: A scale model of Bonanza Ridge showing the tunnels, trams, and mines.
- General Manager’s Office: The oldest building in town, with panoramic photos showing how the glacier has changed.
- Blackburn School: Now the Kennecott Visitor Center, with maps, trail info, and ranger programs.
- Other exhibits: The Recreation Hall, Refrigeration Plant, Railroad Depot, Power Plant, and a Residential Cottage.
Rangers offer free talks from about Memorial Day to Labor Day, plus a weekend evening program at the Recreation Hall.
The Kennecott Mill Tour
The only way inside the 14-story Concentration Mill and the Leaching Plant is a guided tour with St. Elias Alpine Guides, the park’s concessioner. NPS does not run interior mill tours.
- Price: About $36 for adults (13+) and $18 for kids (12 and under) in 2026, plus tip.
- Length: About 2 hours, with roughly 1 mile of walking.
- Start times: 9:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm, plus 11:30 am from July 1 to August 15.
- Season: May 22 to September 13 in 2026.
- What to expect: A steep trail with about 150 feet of gain, low ceilings, uneven floors, and steep stairs and ladders with handrails. Wear closed-toe shoes.
Book ahead in July and August.
Hiking to the Root Glacier
The Root Glacier trail starts in the mill town and follows the moraine north. The old glacier access near the Erie Mine/Root Glacier Trail junction closed in July 2026 because of unstable ground and landslide risk, and that closure stays in effect.
On August 3, 2026, NPS announced a new route:
- The reroute: Walk 1.8 miles along the Erie Mine Trail, cross the Amazon Creek footbridge, continue about ten yards, then turn left and head downhill.
- The descent: About 0.6 miles from brushy ground to steep, rocky talus, ending at the glacier’s edge.
- Total distance: About 2.5 miles one way, so plan on 5 miles round trip.
- Terrain: Expect rocky glacial debris, mud along the ice edge, and uneven footing.
- Traction: NPS strongly recommends traction devices for anyone stepping onto the ice, and suggests putting them on before you step down at the steep access point.
Bears live along the whole route, so hike in a group and make noise. Glaciers and moraines change constantly, so check conditions at the Kennecott Visitor Center before you go and obey all closure signs.
Guided Glacier Hikes
A guide is the safest way to see crevasses, moulins, and blue meltwater channels. Guides supply crampons and helmets and pick a route based on current ice conditions.
- Half-day glacier hike: About $133 with St. Elias Alpine Guides in 2026. It starts at 9 am and usually finishes by 2 or 3 pm.
- Full-day glacier hike: About $179.
- More options: Ice climbing, ice cave trips, and overnight glacier camping are also offered.
Other outfitters in Kennecott and McCarthy hold park permits too, so compare before you book. If you run warm these days, the glacier’s natural air conditioning is a bonus.
How to Spend One Day
- Morning: Take the 9 am half-day glacier hike, or walk to the glacier on your own with traction devices.
- Afternoon: Join the 3:30 pm mill tour, which is timed to fit after the half-day hike.
- Before or after: Explore the open buildings, generally open 9 am to 5 pm in summer, and stop at the visitor center.
- Evening: Shuttle back to McCarthy for dinner.
Because of the 3-hour drive each way, a day trip from Chitina is exhausting. Most people sleep in McCarthy or Kennecott at least one night.
Suggested Three-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Drive the McCarthy Road (stop at the Kuskulana Bridge), park, cross the footbridge, and settle into McCarthy.
- Day 2: Glacier hike in the morning, mill tour in the afternoon.
- Day 3: Take a strenuous hike toward the Jumbo or Bonanza Mine for big views, or book a flightseeing tour, then drive out.
Where to Stay
- McCarthy and Kennecott: Small lodges, cabins, and B&Bs, including lodging in the mill town itself. Many hosts pick guests up at the footbridge or airstrip.
- Camping: Private campgrounds near the footbridge and along the road, plus the 12-site Copper River Campground at mile 1.6. Jumbo Creek is a primitive NPS camping area 1.4 miles past the mill town, reachable on foot only.
- Food storage: Bear-resistant food containers are required for backcountry camping in the park.
Best Time to Visit
- Late May to mid-June: Services open, fewer visitors, but the trails can be muddy.
- Late June to mid-August: Peak season, with the most tour times and long daylight. Book lodging and tours early.
- Late August to mid-September: Fall color and fewer people; tours wind down around September 13.
- Late September to April: Snow, no shuttles, and no services in McCarthy or Kennecott. The only winter access is a 5-mile walk or ski from the end of the road.
Watch for the summer outburst flood on the Kennicott River (it happened around July 19 in 2026), which can raise water levels quickly.
What to Bring
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support
- Rain jacket and warm layers
- Traction devices or microspikes if walking onto the ice without a guide
- Bear spray, and know how to use it
- Water, snacks, and lunch; services are limited
- A full-size spare tire and a full tank of fuel
- Cash or card for shuttles and parking; check payment options in advance
Combine It With Your Alaska Road Trip
Kennecott works best as a stop on a bigger loop. Back on the Richardson Highway, Valdez is roughly 120 miles from Chitina and adds glaciers by boat. Back toward Anchorage, you can pair it with Seward or a day trip from Anchorage to Whittier. My Alaska road trip shows how a full loop fits together, and the best time to drive an Alaska road trip helps you pick the month. For bookings and packing systems, see my flashpacker travel logistics hub.
FAQs
How do you get to Kennecott?
Drive the 59-mile gravel McCarthy Road from Chitina, park, walk the footbridge, and take a shuttle about 5 miles. You can also ride a van shuttle from the Glennallen area or fly from Chitina.
Is there an entrance fee?
No. Wrangell-St. Elias does not charge an entrance fee. You pay for parking, shuttles, tours, and lodging.
Do you need a guide to see the mill?
Only to go inside. The 14-story mill and Leaching Plant are open only on St. Elias Alpine Guides tours, but several other buildings are open to explore on your own.
Can you walk on the Root Glacier without a guide?
Yes, on the reroute, with traction devices and caution. For crevasses and moulins, go with a guide.
Can you visit Kennecott as a day trip?
It is possible, but with about 6 hours of round-trip driving on the McCarthy Road, most people stay at least one night.
