Base Camp Root Glacier and Kennicott Riverside Campground provide luxury glamping accommodations amid the stunning wilderness of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Base Camp offers safari-style canvas tents with comfortable bedding while Kennicott Riverside features yurts equipped with essential amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to proper shower facilities. "This place is so far out of the way and worth it," commented one visitor about their glamping experience at Base Camp. Both locations combine rugged Alaskan wilderness with upscale amenities, allowing guests to experience the magnificent glaciers, mountains, and rivers without sacrificing comfort. Though remote, these glamping sites maintain essential services while preserving the authentic outdoor experience.
The breathtaking natural setting forms the backdrop for numerous outdoor adventures accessible from these glamping accommodations. Guests can explore Root Glacier, hike established trails, or arrange guided ice climbing excursions. According to a camper, "Chugach Mountains on one side, the Root Glacier on the other, and a rushing river on the third side. The MOST gorgeous scenery at a campsite I've ever been to." The sites serve as convenient basecamps for exploring the historic mining towns of McCarthy and Kennicott. Each glamping location offers varying levels of seclusion, with Kennicott Riverside providing more private accommodations away from the main tourist areas. Access requires navigating a challenging road, but the reward is unparalleled stargazing and wildlife viewing opportunities in one of Alaska's most remote and spectacular settings.
"Great spot for families, only 1/2 from McCarthy and 5 miles from Kennicott. Over the footbridge you can take public shuttles for a fee to Kennicott."
"You can either drive the 30-mile gravel road for 3 hours or take a 4-seater plane in. The flight was our vacation splurge and it was breathtaking."
$25 / night
"This campground is only suitable for those with their own transportation as it is a considerable drive from the footbridge, but the trek is worth it."
RangerGreat spot for families, only 1/2 from McCarthy and 5 miles from Kennicott. Over the footbridge you can take public shuttles for a fee to Kennicott.
Warning- McCarthy can attract a lot of partying, some visitor may be louder and stay up late.
GuideThis campground is only suitable for those with their own transportation as it is a considerable drive from the footbridge, but the trek is worth it. Nice level tent sites near the river with a picnic table and stone fire ring. Outhouse and showers are a short walk away. Guides for river rafting trips live in walled tents nearby if you need anything. Breeze near the river keeps insects at bay and some greenery between sites provide privacy. A nice place to camp away from the hubbub at the end of the road.
GuideChugach Mountains on one side, the Root Glacier on the other, and a rushing river on the third side. The MOST gorgeous scenery at a campsite I've ever been to. There is no NP campground in this remote part of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (the largest NP in the US). You can either drive the 30-mile gravel road for 3 hours or take a 4-seater plane in. The flight was our vacation splurge and it was breathtaking. We were dropped off by a shuttle at the other side of the river and used a wheeled cart to carry out gear and cross the pedestrian bridge to the campground. No one was there but we found a picnic table with instructions to put our $20/night cash in an envelope. We found a site on the other side (the side by the picnic table had cars/RV's that had driven in, our side had 3 tents the first night, none the next 2 nights). There aren't really any designated campsites, but there were a scattering of picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of land. Despite the remoteness, we were glad to discover an outhouse and a large container of potable water on site. The town of McCarthy (15 minute walk) had 1 restaurant open that we ate dinner at each night after exploring the Root Glacier and ice climbing. We bought sack lunches from the lodge in Kennicott and only had to cook breakfast. Bear containers are required here if you don't have a vehicle, and we were able to check one out for free from the NP visitor center (not on site, but several hours earlier in the day's drive). While the campground itself is very basic, the remote location and beauty make the effort and expense to get here absolutely worth it! Highly recommended!
TravelerThe host was really friendly and helpful, easy going guy who owns the property. It’s a flat rate and you can camp wherever you want! There is lots of space to have your own spot. There are lots of fire pits and picnic tables around, as well as outhouses. Great location right by the river and bridge and a short walk to the lake with amazing views of the glacier!
LegendI came to this campground in the middle of May. No one else seemed to be camping there. There were cars parked in the parking area but most of them seemed to be broke down. No one ever even acknowledged that we were there. You pay buy an honor system of filling out a white slip of paper and putting it on your dash. $20 for overnight camping and $5 for day parking. This campground is conveniently located right next to the foot bridge that goes into McCarthy. If you are tent camping you have to set up on the bare rocks. It can also get very windy. Outhouses did not seem to be set up so we drove a mile out of town to the NPS public pit toilets since they were clean and open. There are picnic tables and rock fire rings scattered around for public use. The views are stunning and I'm sure they are even better in the summer!
LegendThis is less of a campsite and more of a just roughing-in it (boondocking) on the side of the river on some gravel. Gorgeous views in every direction so worth the gravelly spots. Perfect Campground for the jumping off into Kennicott and McCarthy. Listen to the Raging River as you fall asleep. Friendly host went out of his way to let us use his phone to check up on grown kids at home. No real fire puts to speak of, we used rocks to enclose our fire and there were plenty of those. No table either but considering the price we really didnt mind for being close to the bridge into McCarthy.
GuideWhile this campsite might be basic in amenities, the views are unbeatable! This also give great access to McCarthy and Kennicott shuttles. Be very careful on the road here, we got a flat on the way out but some very kind Alaskans helped us out and got us on the way.
LegendThis place is so far out of the way and worth it. We only stayed one night but there was enough around and the site was so great, I wish we could have stayed for two. The road to get here isn't hard, just extremely long. When it's wet and the potholes are full of water, you have to treat each of them like they're a foot deep since you have no depth perception. It took us about 3 hours on Nabsena road in our rental jeep compass. We were here in shoulder season and had our pick of spots. We set up right along the water. It was extremely peaceful and relaxing. You could sit here to just enjoy the scenery. Walking into McCarthy is fun too and has a couple of dining options. The city's public outhouses are night, the home made pits on the campground are okay (the dimensions are a little off and they're awkward to sit on). I can't remember if they have wood available but don't count on any amenities. Being shoulder season, we were treated to less than 10 others in the campground (any RV's should be prepared to bondock). Plenty of bear tracks sited hiking in the area and locals said the grizzly's were coming out at night. We even got a glimpse of the Northern Lights but the stars alone are incredible here. This site was well worth travelling for.
LegendStopped here before our hike up to root glacier. The drive there was so beautiful but definitely challenging.
McCarthy, Alaska offers multiple glamping and camping options situated at the edge of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States at over 13.2 million acres. The camping area sits at approximately 1,400 feet elevation with a subarctic climate featuring mild summers and harsh winters. Access requires navigating the 60-mile McCarthy Road, which takes 3-4 hours each way due to challenging conditions.
Glacier hiking with proper equipment: Root Glacier, accessible from the camping areas, offers day hiking opportunities but requires proper gear. "Stopped here before our hike up to root glacier. The drive there was so beautiful but definitely challenging," notes Riley N. about Base Camp Root Glacier.
Explore historic sites: The abandoned copper mining facilities at Kennicott provide a glimpse into early 20th century industrial history. "The town of McCarthy (15 minute walk) had 1 restaurant open that we ate dinner at each night after exploring the Root Glacier and ice climbing," shares Abby M.
Utilize shuttle services: Transportation between camping areas and attractions is available seasonally. "Over the footbridge you can take public shuttles for a fee to Kennicott," explains SJ D., noting it's "only 1/2 from McCarthy and 5 miles from Kennicott."
Riverside locations: Many sites offer proximity to flowing water. "We set up right along the water. It was extremely peaceful and relaxing. You could sit here to just enjoy the scenery," reports Melissa W. about her stay at Base Camp Root Glacier.
Privacy options: Some sites provide more seclusion than others. "Breeze near the river keeps insects at bay and some greenery between sites provide privacy," notes Cody M. about Kennicott Riverside Campground, calling it "a nice place to camp away from the hubbub at the end of the road."
Stargazing opportunities: The remote location offers exceptional night sky viewing. "The stars alone are incredible here," writes Melissa W., who even "got a glimpse of the Northern Lights" during shoulder season.
Limited facilities: Most camping options have minimal amenities. "This is less of a campsite and more of just roughing-in it (boondocking) on the side of the river on some gravel," explains Shadara W. about her experience at Base Camp Root Glacier.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active in the area. "Plenty of bear tracks sited hiking in the area and locals said the grizzly's were coming out at night," reports Melissa W.
Road conditions: The road to McCarthy presents significant challenges. "When it's wet and the potholes are full of water, you have to treat each of them like they're a foot deep since you have no depth perception. It took us about 3 hours on Nabsena road in our rental jeep compass," explains one camper.
Consider timing: Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds but cooler temperatures. "I came to this campground in the middle of May. No one else seemed to be camping there," notes Hannah C. about her stay at Root Glacier Primitive Backcountry Camping.
Expect varied noise levels: Some areas experience more activity than others. "Warning- McCarthy can attract a lot of partying, some visitor may be louder and stay up late," advises SJ D.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near McCarthy, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near McCarthy, AK is Base Camp Root Glacier with a 4.1-star rating from 9 reviews.
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