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Exploring Alaska’s Forgotten Mining Towns in Wrangell-St. Elias

When most people picture Alaska, they think glaciers, cruise ports, Denali, or maybe dog sledding. But tucked deep in the largest national park in the United States—Wrangell-St. Elias—is a slice of the past that feels like something straight out of a movie.

Welcome to the ghost towns of Alaska’s mining days, where crumbling wooden structures, rusted ore carts, and glacier-fed rivers create a surreal backdrop for one of the most unexpectedly fascinating adventures in the state.

This is not a cruise excursion. This is remote. This is rugged. And this is absolutely worth the detour.

📍 Where Are We?

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve covers over 13 million acres—that’s larger than six Yellowstone National Parks combined. Nestled within this vast wilderness are the remnants of once-booming mining towns like Kennecott, McCarthy, and Nabesna, where the gold and copper rushes of the early 1900s left behind weathered towns frozen in time.

Getting there takes effort—but the payoff is a truly off-the-beaten-path Alaska experience that most travelers never even hear about.

🛤️ 1. Kennecott: The Crown Jewel of Alaska’s Mining History

The most famous (and well-preserved) of these ghost towns, Kennecott, was once a bustling copper mining town that operated from 1911 to 1938. Today, its 14-story red mill building—perched dramatically on the side of a mountain—still stands tall against the Wrangell Mountains.

What to Do in Kennecott:

Take a guided mill tour with the National Park Service or St. Elias Alpine Guides. You’ll go inside the towering structure, walk over creaky catwalks, and see the machinery that once powered the copper empire.
Hike the Root Glacier Trail—a 4-mile round trip hike that gets you on the glacier with crampons (gear rentals available).
Explore abandoned buildings on your own—many are open to the public and slowly being stabilized by the park service.

Getting There:
It’s an adventure in itself. You’ll need to drive (or shuttle) the 60-mile McCarthy Road, a gravel road that follows the old railway line and takes about 2–3 hours. From the end of the road, it’s a short walk across a footbridge and then a shuttle ride to Kennecott.

📍 Kennecott, AK
🔗 More info from NPS »

🏚️ 2. McCarthy: Small-Town Vibes in the Middle of Nowhere

Just five miles from Kennecott, the quirky little town of McCarthy is still very much alive—but it feels like stepping into the past. With a year-round population hovering around 30 people, it’s a place where everyone knows your name by the second day.

What Makes It Special:

A mix of historic buildings turned into lodges, saloons, and sandwich shops
Live music in summer at the Golden Saloon
No cars allowed in town—you’ll walk everywhere
A true sense of community and isolation all at once

McCarthy is the ideal basecamp if you want to explore Kennecott but stay overnight with a few creature comforts (and maybe a good burger).

📍 McCarthy, AK
🔗 McCarthy-Kennecott Info Hub »

🏞️ 3. Nabesna: The Other Side of Wrangell-St. Elias (and Fewer Visitors)

On the northern edge of the park lies Nabesna, a less-visited but equally historic mining area that’s perfect for travelers who want solitude, epic hikes, and true wilderness.

The Nabesna Road is a 42-mile gravel route that leads to old mine sites, trailheads, and wide-open scenery you’ll likely have all to yourself. Highlights include the Skookum Volcano Trail (yes, an extinct volcano) and the Nabesna Gold Mine ruins, hidden near the end of the road.

Why Go Here?

Zero crowds
Great hiking and backcountry camping
A raw, quiet side of Alaska few ever see

📍 Nabesna Road begins near Slana, AK
🔗 Nabesna Info from NPS »

🧭 Planning Tips

Timing: Late June through early September is ideal—many roads and businesses shut down for winter.
Lodging: You’ll find rustic lodges in McCarthy, basic B&Bs in Slana, and even a few campsites within the park.
Fuel Up: There are no gas stations on McCarthy or Nabesna Roads. Fill up before you head in.
Expect Adventure: Cell service is limited. Bring offline maps, water, snacks, and the willingness to go with the flow.

🏕️ Final Thoughts: Alaska Beyond the Postcards

The ghost towns of Wrangell-St. Elias aren’t polished. They’re not crowded. And they don’t have souvenir shops on every corner. But that’s what makes them so unforgettable.

You’ll hike past rusting cables, peer into cabins that haven’t changed in decades, and stand where men once braved unimaginable conditions to chase riches in the wilderness.

It’s Alaska with grit. With history. With stories waiting in the silence.

Want a Custom Adventure in Alaska?

Let me help you build a trip that skips the cruise crowds and takes you deep into Alaska’s forgotten corners. From mining towns to glacier hikes and hidden trails, I’ll create a personalized plan that brings out the wild side of the Last Frontier.

📩 Contact Me for a Custom Itinerary »