McCarthy Road Ranger Station

Overview

About McCarthy Road Ranger Station

Sitting at Mile 59, the McCarthy Road Information Station is your final, practical stop before crossing the footbridge into McCarthy. It’s a self-service kiosk open in summer with restrooms and day-use parking, plus the latest posted info on parking logistics, local shuttle options, and what’s happening in McCarthy and Kennecott.

Why stop

Restrooms and day-use parking at the end of McCarthy Road
Self-service kiosk with current info on parking, shuttles, and events

Heads up

Seasonal; closed in winter
No overnight parking on-site (use private options nearby)

This is the handoff point from car travel to foot travel. You’ll park for the day, sort shuttle details, grab current info, and then head across the footbridge into McCarthy. If you’re pushing on to Kennecott, confirm shuttle schedules or plan your walk—winter visitors should note that vehicle access and shuttle service don’t operate then, making it foot or ski only.

Parkwolf’s verdictWhy Stop Here

Map

Where it is

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Ranger stationMcCarthy Road Ranger Station61.43657, -142.96437

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting McCarthy Road Ranger Station

Fuel up before Chitina; there’s no fuel, food, or towing along McCarthy Road.
Budget 2–3 hours for the 60-mile gravel drive and keep speeds under 35 mph.
Carry a full-size spare, jack, and basic repair kit—the road can eat tires.
Use the kiosk to confirm parking rules and shuttle times before crossing the footbridge.
Plan overnight parking with private lots; the station is day-use only.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Summer is prime: the kiosk is open, shuttles run, and facilities are available. Aim to arrive early in the day for easier parking, fewer cars on the road, and better chances of wildlife. Late afternoon light can be lovely on the bridges and trestles if you’re stopping for photos on the way in or out.

Getting There: The McCarthy Road Reality Check

The 60-ish miles from Chitina to the footbridge are mostly gravel and can throw you washboard, potholes, soft shoulders, dust, and the occasional one-lane bridge. Figure on 2–3 hours one way in good conditions. There’s no fuel, food, or towing along the road and cell coverage is spotty, so fuel up before Chitina and carry a real spare, jack, tire kit, water, and basics. Drive unhurried—think sub‑35 mph—and you’ll be happier.

Signature sights along the way include the Kuskulana River Bridge and the Gilahina Trestle ruins. Both merit a slow roll and a pullout stop if conditions allow.

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Wrangell-St. Elias Tour Guide

Your drive to McCarthy Road Ranger Station, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

See the Wrangell-St. Elias audio tour

Recorded for this place

McCarthy Road End Information Station

Listen

“You're pulling up to the end of the McCarthy Road, which is the final stop for vehicles. There's day-use parking here, and from this point everyone walks across the footbridge to get into McCarthy.”

Plays as you drive up to McCarthy Road Ranger Station in the Parkwolf Wrangell-St. Elias Tour Guide.

More about McCarthy Road Ranger Station

What You’ll FindSelf-serve information kiosk with park brochures and local updates.

Self-serve information kiosk with park brochures and local updates.
Restrooms and a convenient day-use parking area at road’s end.
Overnight parking and camping are not provided here—look to nearby private businesses for those.

WildlifeThe road approach can deliver moose, black bears, bald eagles, and even porcupines.

The road approach can deliver moose, black bears, bald eagles, and even porcupines. Keep your distance, secure food and trash, and enjoy the sightings from your vehicle or designated pullouts.

Quick TipsFuel up before Chitina; services are extremely limited once you start the road.

Fuel up before Chitina; services are extremely limited once you start the road.
Allow extra time for the drive and keep speeds conservative.
Day-use parking only here; arrange overnight parking with local private lots if needed.
In winter, expect no shuttle service and foot/ski access only to town.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Wrangell-St. Elias

All Wrangell-St. Elias wildlife maps

112 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting map

63 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

21 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 1 PMSighting map

46 sightingsSteller Sea LionMost seen around 11 AMSighting map

37 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

48 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Wrangell-St. Elias. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.