Base Camp Root Glacier offers pet-friendly camping near McCarthy, Alaska with access to stunning views of the Chugach Mountains and Root Glacier. This established campground allows pets and provides several amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and trash disposal. Located at the end of a 30-mile gravel road, the campground accommodates tents, RVs, and glamping setups with drive-in, walk-in, and boat-in access options. Campers pay a flat rate of $20 per night using an honor system and can set up anywhere on the property. The campground features outhouses and potable water containers, though facilities are basic. The gravel terrain may be challenging for tent campers seeking soft ground.
McCarthy's remote location provides excellent opportunities for dogs to enjoy wilderness experiences. The campground sits directly beside a rushing river and serves as an ideal base for accessing dog-friendly hiking trails, including routes to Root Glacier. A 15-minute walk takes campers to McCarthy town where limited services are available. The Root Glacier Primitive Backcountry Camping area in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park also permits pets but requires proper containment as bear activity is common in the area. The drive to reach McCarthy can be challenging, taking approximately three hours on rough gravel roads with numerous potholes. During shoulder seasons, campers often have their pick of spots with significantly fewer visitors sharing the grounds.
"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."
"Perfect Campground for the jumping off into Kennicott and McCarthy. Listen to the Raging River as you fall asleep."
TravelerOutstanding glacier view; quiet; picnic tables, firerings, and (smelly) out houses scattered throughout. Rocky and lumpy road access but do-able with caution. Short walk to shuttle to McCarthy (town) and Kennicott mine. Mine tour and Lots of hiking in area. Be bear aware.
LegendBooked three nights after driving the McCarthy Road
Area is pretty open with fire rings and a few pit toilets.
The ground is not paved or graveled so it’s bumpy coming back.
We parked our pickup camper with a view of the glacier out our door.
Easy walk to McCarthy foot bridge.
Need to pack out trash as there is no local pickup.
$35 a night for small rigs, $45 for large.
GuideWhile this campsite might be basic in amenities, the views are unbeatable! This also give great access to McCarthy and Kennicott shuttles. Be very careful on the road here, we got a flat on the way out but some very kind Alaskans helped us out and got us on the way.
LegendThis place is so far out of the way and worth it. We only stayed one night but there was enough around and the site was so great, I wish we could have stayed for two. The road to get here isn't hard, just extremely long. When it's wet and the potholes are full of water, you have to treat each of them like they're a foot deep since you have no depth perception. It took us about 3 hours on Nabsena road in our rental jeep compass. We were here in shoulder season and had our pick of spots. We set up right along the water. It was extremely peaceful and relaxing. You could sit here to just enjoy the scenery. Walking into McCarthy is fun too and has a couple of dining options. The city's public outhouses are night, the home made pits on the campground are okay (the dimensions are a little off and they're awkward to sit on). I can't remember if they have wood available but don't count on any amenities. Being shoulder season, we were treated to less than 10 others in the campground (any RV's should be prepared to bondock). Plenty of bear tracks sited hiking in the area and locals said the grizzly's were coming out at night. We even got a glimpse of the Northern Lights but the stars alone are incredible here. This site was well worth travelling for.
LegendStopped here before our hike up to root glacier. The drive there was so beautiful but definitely challenging.
RangerGreat spot for families, only 1/2 from McCarthy and 5 miles from Kennicott. Over the footbridge you can take public shuttles for a fee to Kennicott.
Warning- McCarthy can attract a lot of partying, some visitor may be louder and stay up late.
LegendParking/campground at the end of the road. 25$ for very limited service. The view of the glacier is nice but the rest of the campground has no charm. If you have time, look for a dispersed site 10miles or so before McCarty.
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.
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.
Base Camp Root Glacier provides camping options along the Kennicott River in Alaska's remote Wrangell-St. Elias wilderness. The property sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation with gravel terrain common throughout the area. The campground serves as the main accommodation point after the long drive from Chitina, before crossing the footbridge to McCarthy.
Glacier exploration: From Base Camp Root Glacier, visitors can access guided ice climbing excursions on the nearby glacier. "Stopped here before our hike up to root glacier. The drive there was so beautiful but definitely challenging," reports Riley N. from Base Camp Root Glacier.
Visit McCarthy: The historic mining town provides dining and supply options within walking distance of camp. "Walking into McCarthy is fun too and has a couple of dining options. The city's public outhouses are nice, the home made pits on the campground are okay," notes Melissa W.
Stargazing opportunities: The remote location allows for exceptional night sky viewing when conditions permit. "We even got a glimpse of the Northern Lights but the stars alone are incredible here," shares Melissa about her stay at Base Camp.
Proximity to attractions: The location provides strategic access to both McCarthy town and the glacier areas. "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," explains SJ D. from Root Glacier Primitive Backcountry Camping.
Scenic waterfront: The riverside setting adds natural ambiance to the camping experience. "Listen to the Raging River as you fall asleep," writes Shadara W., who appreciated the "Gorgeous views in every direction" despite the gravelly terrain.
Seasonal quiet: During shoulder seasons, campers enjoy significantly more solitude. "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," shares Melissa W.
Road conditions: The access road presents significant challenges that require preparation. "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," cautions Melissa.
Campsite variability: The campground layout is informal with mixed quality sites. "This is less of a campsite and more of a just roughing-in it (boondocking) on the side of the river on some gravel," explains Shadara W. from Base Camp Root Glacier.
Wildlife awareness: Bears frequent the area, particularly during certain seasons. "Plenty of bear tracks sited hiking in the area and locals said the grizzly's were coming out at night," warns Melissa W., highlighting the importance of proper food storage for pet friendly camping near McCarthy.
Accessibility planning: Consider transportation logistics with children when visiting. "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," shares Abby M.
Meal planning: Limited food options require advance planning. "We bought sack lunches from the lodge in Kennicott and only had to cook breakfast," notes Abby from Base Camp Root Glacier.
Weather preparation: Temperature variations can be significant, requiring appropriate gear for children. "It can also get very windy," warns Hannah C., which can make camping with pets near McCarthy more challenging for families.
Alternative sites: Consider dispersed options if the main camping area seems too basic. "If you have time, look for a dispersed site 10miles or so before McCarty," suggests Christian D. from Base Camp Root Glacier.
Limited amenities: RVers should prepare for true boondocking conditions. "Being shoulder season, we were treated to less than 10 others in the campground (any RV's should be prepared to bondock)," advises Melissa W.
Self-sufficiency: Bring all supplies needed for your stay. "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," explains Hannah C., underscoring the independent nature of camping in this remote area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near McCarthy, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near McCarthy, AK is Base Camp Root Glacier with a 4.1-star rating from 10 reviews.
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