Most visitors drive in. Two unpaved roads access Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: the 60-mile McCarthy Road on the south side (most popular), and the 42-mile Nabesna Road on the north side (much quieter). Anchorage is the typical starting point. From Anchorage to McCarthy takes about 7 hours of driving, including 2.5 to 3 hours of gravel.
Driving to McCarthy and Kennicott (the most common visit)
From Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway east to Glennallen, then the Richardson Highway south to Chitina. From Chitina, the McCarthy Road runs 60 miles east on the bed of the old Copper River and Northwestern Railway. The pavement ends at Chitina; everything past that is gravel.
Plan two and a half to three hours for the gravel section alone. The McCarthy Road is not a road to hurry on. Washboard, loose rock, blind curves, and occasional railroad spikes working up out of the bed are normal. Speeds of 25 to 35 mph are about right for most of it. Driving faster doesn’t save much time and meaningfully increases the chance of a flat tire or cracked windshield.
The road ends at the Kennicott River footbridge. Cross on foot. A shuttle van runs the last half mile up to Kennicott, or you can walk it.
Rental car warning
This is the single biggest logistical mistake first-time visitors make. Many rental car companies in Anchorage explicitly prohibit driving on the McCarthy Road, or they void insurance coverage if you do. Some prohibit gravel roads entirely. Call your rental company and confirm in writing before you book. Local Alaska rental outfits that specialize in gravel-road travel are set up for this. The big national chains usually are not.
Driving the Nabesna Road (the quieter option)
From Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway to Glennallen, then continue northeast on the Tok Cutoff to Slana. The Nabesna Road runs 42 miles south from there into the park. The first 28 miles are state-maintained and most vehicles handle them fine. The last 14 miles get rougher and include several creek crossings that want clearance and attention. Sedans should stop at the maintained section. AWD and SUVs handle the full length without much trouble.
The Nabesna side has fewer services, fewer visitors, and a different feel: open tundra, big river country, glimpses of the volcanic peaks of the Wrangell range, and good chances at wildlife from the road. Worth considering if you want a quieter experience or you’re connecting to a Yukon trip on the Top of the World Highway.
Flying in
Air taxi services operate out of McCarthy, Chitina, and Gulkana, primarily for backcountry trips and remote drop-offs. For most road-based visitors, the only relevant air access is scenic flights, which leave from McCarthy and run over the high peaks, the Bagley Icefield, and Mt. Blackburn’s west face. These are typically booked locally once you arrive.
Total time from Anchorage
- Anchorage to Chitina: 4.5 hours, paved
- Chitina to McCarthy: 2.5 to 3 hours, gravel
- Anchorage to Slana (start of Nabesna Road): about 5.5 hours, paved
- Slana to end of Nabesna Road: 1.5 to 2.5 hours, gravel
Plan a full day each way for the McCarthy round trip. Plan to stay at least two nights once you arrive; a day trip from Anchorage isn’t realistic.
One thing to expect
Cell service ends past Glennallen. There is no cell coverage in McCarthy, Kennicott, or anywhere along the McCarthy Road. The Nabesna Road has spotty to nonexistent coverage. Plan for this in advance: download maps, confirm reservations, and let someone know your itinerary.
