Best RV Parks & Resorts near McCarthy, AK

RV camping options near McCarthy include Base Camp Root Glacier, Glacier View Campground, and Kennicott Riverside Campground. Base Camp Root Glacier accommodates RVs with basic sites on gravel terrain, though no hookups are available for electricity, water, or sewer connections. "This is less of a campsite and more of just roughing-in it on the side of the river on some gravel," noted one visitor about the boondocking-style setup. Glacier View Campground provides RV sites with more amenities including toilets, while Kennicott Riverside Campground offers RV parking with shower and toilet facilities but no hookups. All three locations require self-sufficient motorhome setups as full hookup services are not available in this remote area.

Access to McCarthy RV sites requires careful planning due to challenging road conditions. The McCarthy Road is approximately 60 miles of gravel with numerous potholes that can damage RVs, particularly after rain when depth perception becomes difficult. A review mentioned the drive taking "about 3 hours on Nabsena road" to reach the camping areas. Cell service is limited throughout the region. RVs should arrive with full water tanks and empty waste tanks as dump stations are not available at these campgrounds. The camping season typically runs from late May through September, with shoulder seasons offering fewer crowds but potentially limited services. Pets are allowed at Base Camp Root Glacier, though wildlife encounters are common throughout the area.

Best RV Sites Near McCarthy, Alaska (3)

    1. Glacier View Campground

    4 Reviews
    McCarthy, AK
    3 miles
    Website

    "Beautiful views close to McCarthy's walking bridge. Picnic Benches. Very friendly host. Must try the Roadside Potatohead! It was about a 10 minute walk from our campsite."

    "Our campsite had a short walk to a waterfall the family and I played in. It was an amazing experience. The showers/bathrooms here weren’t terrible."

    2. Base Camp Root Glacier

    9 Reviews
    McCarthy, AK
    3 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Kennicott Riverside Campground

    1 Review
    McCarthy, AK
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 302-0688

    $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."

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Recent RV Camping Photos near McCarthy, AK

2 Photos of 3 McCarthy Campgrounds


RV Park Reviews near McCarthy, AK

14 Reviews of 3 McCarthy Campgrounds


  • SJ D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2021

    Base Camp Root Glacier

    Stunning views

    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.

    Warning- McCarthy can attract a lot of partying, some visitor may be louder and stay up late.

  • A
    Sep. 5, 2016

    Base Camp Root Glacier

    Remote, difficult to get to, and totally worth it!

    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. 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!

  • Hannah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2019

    Base Camp Root Glacier

    Rocky and sketchy but with amazing views!

    I 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!

  • Cody M.
    Jun. 24, 2021

    Kennicott Riverside Campground

    Primitive & Secluded

    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. 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.

  • K
    Jun. 7, 2019

    Base Camp Root Glacier

    Friendly host, lots of space

    The 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!

  • V
    Jun. 27, 2016

    Glacier View Campground

    Glacier View Campground

    Beautiful views close to McCarthy's walking bridge. Picnic Benches. Very friendly host. Must try the Roadside Potatohead! It was about a 10 minute walk from our campsite.

  • E
    Jun. 11, 2024

    Base Camp Root Glacier

    Best campsite in all of Alaska

    While 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.

  • Melissa W.
    Oct. 29, 2023

    Base Camp Root Glacier

    Great secluded camping

    This 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.

  • Shadara W.
    Aug. 12, 2019

    Base Camp Root Glacier

    Breathtaking Views!

    This 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.


Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular RV campsite near McCarthy, AK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near McCarthy, AK is Glacier View Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find RV camping near McCarthy, AK?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 RV camping locations near McCarthy, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.