Camping in America's largest national park
At 13.2 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States, and it has almost no developed campgrounds. That is part of the appeal. Camping here means trading reservations and hookups for wide-open glacial valleys, midnight light, and genuine solitude. This guide covers your realistic options, from roadside spots to free backcountry camping along the McCarthy Road and beyond.
Getting there: McCarthy Road logistics
Almost all camping starts with the 60-mile McCarthy Road, a gravel route that branches off the Edgerton Highway at the town of Chitina. Allow two to three hours of driving each way; the road is rough, follows an old railbed, and crosses the dramatic Kuskulana River bridge. Old railroad spikes occasionally surface, so carry a full-size spare tire and check that your rental contract allows the road. The drive ends at a parking area by the Kennicott River, where you walk across a footbridge into McCarthy. Practical planning notes:
- Last fuel and groceries are in Chitina (and Glennallen further back), so top off the tank and shop before you leave pavement
- Cell service is essentially nonexistent past Chitina, so download maps offline and tell someone your plans
- From the north, the 42-mile Nabesna Road off the Tok Cutoff is a quieter, low-clearance-friendly alternative with a few stream crossings near the end
Campgrounds along the McCarthy Road
There are no fee campgrounds run by the Park Service deep inside the park, but several practical options line the access roads:
- Liberty Falls State Recreation Site: a small Alaska state campground near Chitina, a good first or last night before driving the McCarthy Road
- Private campgrounds near the Kennicott River: Glacier View Campground and Base Camp Root Glacier sit right by the footbridge, offering tent sites and easy access into McCarthy
- Pullouts along the McCarthy Road: informal camping is allowed at many gravel pullouts on the 60-mile route, free and first come first served
On the park's north side, the Nabesna Road offers similarly informal roadside camping at pullouts and trailheads, with far fewer visitors.
Camping near McCarthy and Kennecott
Most travelers base near the Kennicott River footbridge, where private campgrounds put you minutes from the McCarthy shuttle and the Root Glacier trailhead. This is the most convenient way to combine camping with day hikes, the Kennecott mill tour, and flightseeing. For a full day-by-day plan that pairs camping with these activities, see our Wrangell-St. Elias itinerary.
Backcountry camping
The real magic is dispersed backcountry camping, which is free and requires no permit, though the Park Service strongly recommends stopping at a visitor center to register your plans and get a bear-resistant food canister. Popular zones include the moraine near Root Glacier, the alpine country above the Bonanza Mine Trail, and remote drainages reached by bush plane. Leave No Trace rules apply: camp on durable surfaces, pack out all trash, and stay at least 200 feet from water.
Best day hikes and trails from camp
A few well-known routes make excellent day trips or jumping-off points for backcountry nights:
- Root Glacier Trail: a roughly 4-to-8-mile round trip from Kennecott that leads onto the ice; bring microspikes and consider a guided glacier walk if you want to explore crevasse country
- Bonanza Mine Trail: a steep 9-mile round trip climbing about 3,800 feet to a historic mine with sweeping views, with alpine camping spots near the top for fit backpackers
- Jumbo Mine Trail: another demanding mining-era route above Kennecott with high-country tent sites
- Skookum Volcano Trail (Nabesna Road): a 5-mile round trip through colorful volcanic terrain on the park's quiet north side
Flightseeing and remote fly-in camping
To reach the truly wild heart of the park, book a bush flight from McCarthy or Chitina with an air-taxi operator. Pilots can drop you on remote airstrips, gravel bars, and glaciers in zones like the Chitistone and Nizina drainages, then pick you up days later. This is how experienced backpackers access classic routes such as the Goat Trail through Chitistone Canyon. Fly-in trips require real backcountry skill, river-crossing experience, and a satellite communicator, since weather can delay pickups for days. Always pad your schedule and carry extra food.
Bear safety and wildlife
Both black and grizzly bears live throughout the park, and moose are common in the lowlands. Camp smart:
- Store all food and scented items in a bear canister, free to borrow at park visitor centers
- Cook and store food well away from your tent
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it
- Make noise on trails to avoid surprising wildlife
Best season and what to bring
The camping season runs from late May through mid-September. June and July bring nearly endless daylight, while late August and early September add fall color and fewer bugs but colder nights. Even in summer, temperatures can drop near freezing, and rain is frequent, so bring a warm sleeping bag, a sturdy waterproof tent, and a full rain layer. Mosquitoes peak in late June and July, so pack a head net. Fuel and groceries are extremely limited past Chitina, so stock up before you start the McCarthy Road.
