Kennicott & McCarthy is a community of two towns. Kennicott is a ghost town of sorts, once a bustling copper work town, now a quiet collection of red and white surviving buildings being revived by the NPS. There are amazing views from Mt. Blackburn to the Chugach Mountains, big views of the Kennicott & Root Glaciers, Kennicott Glacier Lodge, Kennicott Cottages, a gift shop, our guide service, and trails into the mountains.

McCarthy is a small town 4.5 miles down the road. This was once the bustling town that serviced the Kennicott Copper Operation and other area miners/prospectors. Main Street includes McCarthy Lodge (bar, restaurant, Ma Johnson's Hotel) 2 air services, McCarthy Creek, and a museum. There are other historic buildings, including the Hardware Store which now houses the Wrangell Mountain Center. The two towns are one community. This community is at the end of the 60-mile-long 'McCarthy Road' that begins in the town of Chitina.

The McCarthy Road runs from Chitina & the Copper River to the Kennicott River - where you can either camp, or park your car and walk/take a shuttle van to where you're spending the day/night. There is a footbridge across the Kennicott River where you can either meet your ride, or which you can cross on foot and walk the 15 minutes into McCarthy. Shuttles typically run from 9:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. every half-hour or so on the Footbridge - McCarthy - Kennicott circuit. Cars can only get across over the supply bridge ($300) or when the river is frozen. There is also a historic wagon road from McCarthy to Kennicott (4.5 miles) for those wanting to bike or walk up this old thoroughfare through the woods. Make noise for bears when you round corners.

There are nice places to eat in town, and in 2006 a small general store opened up that provides limited supplementary supplies. Food can get expensive and limited - so bring your own if you plan on hiking around, camping, or just want to save money. Groceries: Anchorage, Valdez, Palmer, Glenallen, and a few smaller stores in Kenny Lake and Chitina.