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Excellent base camp for exploring the area. Great views of Mount Blackburn, glaciers, and river. Walk across the bridge to the town of McCarthy and/or take a shuttle to Kennicott.
Some recommendations after camping here for a few days:
- Food: The Potato, Meatza Wagon
- Outfitter: Alpine Guides
- Cell service: Verizon
Like everine...Great. I loved the old ads on walls, the hike, the history, the staff, the shuttle to McCarthy a wild west, friendly town. Amaaazing experience
August 2023. Stayed for 2 nights. $30 per night = location, location, location!
Some reviews say minimal facilities and a field of rocks. This is at the foot of the glacier and and glaciers push rocks. This is camping - cabin rentals and B&B options are available in the area.
Saw RV's, trailers, buses, vans, tents etc. here. All would work.
Most sites have a picnic table and rock fire ring.
More people around on a weekend than I expected for remote AK.
Vault toilets only
Bring your own water, river is very sediment laden and will likely plug any filters. River is also very fast moving, with minimal backwaters in this area so be careful with kids, pets, etc.
Close to the bridge, people camp pretty close together, go further down towards vehicle bridge (not public) and you can spread out a bit. Rocky area so bring steel stakes if using a tent.
10 min walk to town of McCarthy - which has some restaurants opens during season, some stores with minimal camping gear available.
Free shuttles to town of Kennicot and hiking trailheads right at East/McCarthy end of bridge.
Beautiful area - hike to glacier, see the historic mine and town, could easily spend a week just in this area.
We spent several days here camping while exploring the area. The facility was clean and had great views of the glacier and mountains. Everyone who was working there was friendly and helpful. They made great suggestions of things to do and see. I highly recommend this place to spend your vacation.
The setting is beautiful - no doubt about that. It is adjacent to the river and has a great view of the glacier. As for the campground itself, I feel it is quite expensive for what you get. $35 a night to camp. There are no improved campsites. No hookups. No water or electricity. There are wooden outhouses set up around the grounds. Also, There are a few wooden picknick tables scattered around. I don't recall seeing any fire rings. However, there are plenty of rocks around to build a fire ring. Wood is $10 per bundle. Essentially, there are no real campsites. You simply park and set up camp anywhere there is available space. The grounds are next to the footbridge into McCarthy. Very convenient. If you stay somewhere else, you can park on the grounds for a daily fee - I think it is $10 per day.
