Dispersed campgrounds near McCarthy, Alaska require prepared campers due to their remote location within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Located at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,700 feet, these primitive sites experience temperature fluctuations from near-freezing to 80°F during summer months. Rain occurs frequently throughout the camping season, making waterproof shelter essential at any campsite near McCarthy, Alaska.
What to do
Glacier exploration: Root Glacier offers accessible ice hiking from Kennicott. "We loved the hike to Bonanza Mine and out the other direction to Root Glacier (where we strapped on crampons with our guided tour)," notes a visitor at Jumbo Creek Camping Area. Tours provide necessary equipment and safety guidance.
River activities: Stay at riverside camps for water access. "Nice level tent sites near the river with a picnic table and stone fire ring. Guides for river rafting trips live in walled tents nearby if you need anything," reports a camper at Kennicott Riverside Campground.
Historic mining tours: Kennicott mining buildings provide self-guided exploration opportunities. "We also enjoyed hearing about the history of Kennicott from rangers in the many available ranger tours," mentions a visitor at Jumbo Creek, where hiking access to Kennicott requires a 1.5-mile trek.
What campers like
River sounds: Sleeping near moving water enhances the camping experience. "Listen to running water at night and view the glacier from your tent," notes a camper at Glacier View Campground, highlighting the natural soundtrack.
Waterfall access: Some sites offer unique water features. "Our campsite had a short walk to a waterfall the family and I played in. It was an amazing experience," shares a visitor to Glacier View Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Dark skies provide exceptional night viewing. "We even got a glimpse of the Northern Lights but the stars alone are incredible here," reports a camper at Base Camp Root Glacier, emphasizing night sky visibility.
What you should know
Road conditions: McCarthy Road requires careful navigation and appropriate vehicles. "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 a visitor to Base Camp Root Glacier.
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "Plenty of bear tracks sited hiking in the area and locals said the grizzly's were coming out at night," notes a camper at Base Camp Root Glacier.
Payment systems: Most sites operate on honor system. "You pay by 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," explains a visitor to Base Camp Root Glacier.
Seasonal planning: Facilities change throughout the season. "I came to this campground in the middle of May. No one else seemed to be camping there. 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," reports an early-season visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options: For families wanting more shelter, cabins provide comfort. "Nice cabins to rent if you don't want to take a tent or RV!" says a visitor to Currant Ridge, located at mile 56.7 on McCarthy Road.
Noise considerations: Some areas experience evening activity. "Great spot for families, only 1/2 from McCarthy and 5 miles from Kennicott. Warning- McCarthy can attract a lot of partying, some visitor may be louder and stay up late," cautions a camper at Base Camp Root Glacier.
Water play opportunities: Natural features provide entertainment. "Our campsite had a short walk to a waterfall the family and I played in. It was an amazing experience," shares a Glacier View Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Finding suitable terrain requires early arrival. "We parked our pickup camper with a view of the glacier out our door. The ground is not paved or graveled so it's bumpy coming in," notes a visitor at Base Camp Kennicott.
Pricing tiers: Costs vary based on vehicle size. "$35 a night for small rigs, $45 for large," reports an RVer at Base Camp Kennicott.
Water resources: Bring sufficient supplies. "We filled up our camper with water and dumped our camper at this site with ease," shares a camper at Glacier View Campground regarding water management.
