Historic mining settlement featuring preserved industrial buildings, abandoned structures, and access to glaciers and rugged wilderness landscapes.
General Information
How to Get There
From Anchorage (300+ mi): Take Glenn Hwy (AK-1 E) to Richardson Hwy (AK-4 N) toward Chitina, follow Edgerton Hwy to McCarthy Road, drive to the end of the road, then continue the final 5 miles to the site by foot or shuttle.
Overview
Kennecott is an abandoned copper mining camp in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and a National Historic Landmark (1986), with a big red mill building climbing a hillside above the Kennicott Glacier. Five mines (Bonanza, Jumbo, Mother Lode, Erie, and Glacier) produced a fortune in copper from 1911 to 1938. The Park Service has stabilized the buildings, and you can take a guided mill tour, hike, or take a glacier hiking or ice climbing trip.
Getting There
- By road: Edgerton Highway to the 60-mile gravel McCarthy Road, then a footbridge and shuttle to Kennecott
- By air: a 3,500-foot gravel runway at McCarthy
Things to Do
Explore the Historic Kennecott Mining District
Kennecott is one of Alaska's most remarkable historic sites and serves as a gateway to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. Once home to one of the world's richest copper mining operations, the town features preserved industrial buildings, dramatic mountain scenery, and direct access to glaciers and wilderness adventures.
Tour the Kennecott Mill
The iconic 14-story Kennecott Concentration Mill dominates the town's skyline and is a National Historic Landmark. Guided tours allow visitors to learn about the mining process, the history of the Kennecott Copper Corporation, and the lives of workers who lived and worked in this remote community from 1911 to 1938.
Walk on Root Glacier
Root Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska and one of the signature experiences in the park. Visitors can hike to the glacier from Kennecott and either view it from the edge or join a guided glacier trek equipped with crampons to safely explore the ice.
Visit the Kennecott Visitor Center
Located within the historic district, the National Park Service visitor center provides exhibits, ranger programs, maps, trail information, and interpretation of the area's mining history, geology, and natural resources.
Take a Flightseeing Tour
Flightseeing tours departing from the Kennecott and McCarthy area provide spectacular views of glaciers, icefields, mountain peaks, and remote backcountry landscapes. Seeing Wrangell-St. Elias from the air offers a unique perspective on the scale of America's largest national park.
Explore Nearby McCarthy
Just a few miles from Kennecott, the historic town of McCarthy offers restaurants, lodges, shops, and a glimpse into the colorful frontier history that developed alongside the mining community. Many visitors spend time exploring both towns during their stay.
Experience Wilderness Recreation
The Kennecott area serves as a jumping-off point for hiking, backpacking, rafting, wildlife viewing, glacier trekking, and backcountry adventures throughout Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Its combination of historic preservation and outdoor recreation makes it one of Alaska's premier adventure destinations.
Top Trails
Root Glacier Trail
Length: Approximately 4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal to Moderate
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
This popular trail begins in Kennecott and leads hikers through glacial moraine landscapes to Root Glacier. Along the way, visitors enjoy views of surrounding mountains, mining relics, and the glacier itself. Many hikers continue onto the glacier with proper equipment or a guide.
Bonanza Mine Trail
Length: Approximately 9 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 3,800 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
One of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the area, this trail climbs steeply above Kennecott to the historic Bonanza Mine. The route offers sweeping views of Root Glacier, the Kennicott Valley, and the surrounding Wrangell Mountains.
Jumbo Mine Trail
Length: Approximately 8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Significant
Difficulty: Strenuous
This historic trail follows old mining routes to the Jumbo Mine site above Kennecott. Hikers encounter alpine scenery, mining remnants, and excellent views of glaciers and mountain landscapes throughout the hike.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article and official pages for National Park Service - Root Glacier, Travel Alaska - Kennicott & McCarthy, Kennecott, Alaska, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
