McCarthy Cabins — Hotel in Alaska

During my first ever visit to Alaska, I stayed here at incredible McCarthy Cabins for 3 evenings. It's not often I gush about accommodations and lodging from my travels...but I find it imperative to be writing this review because of how memorable my stay was. Yes...this is McCarthy Cabins and if you're looking to become one with nature out here in McCarthy, Alaska...then I can't recommend this place enough!

If anyone out there is a National Parks enthusiast and trying to explore all of the parks out there...then you'll have to come here to the McCarthy/Kennicott area and Wrangell St. Elias National Park.

So...Wrangell St. Elias is quite the primitive park. There are two ways of accessing it...either by the 60 mile gravel McCarthy Road (which most tourists don't mind driving) or by propeller plane with Wrangell Mountain Air.

For those folks who are driving the dirt road...then here it is...McCarthy Cabins! You definitely should stay here!

First off, these McCarthy Cabins (there are only 3 exclusive cabins) are situated right off McCarthy Road and conveniently located just 4.4 miles from the only town in the area known as McCarthy/Kennicott.

Each cabin is extremely private with tons of space, your own parking spot, an outdoor shower and a well-maintained outhouse. Basically, every morning you can wake up at your own accord and get yourself prepared for a terrific tour and or challenging hike at Wrangell St. Elias. Then...hop in your car for the 4.4 miles, park yourself at the footbridge of McCarthy/Kennicott and take the bus into town among the wondrous Wrangell surroundings.

During my time here...I found it so easy and convenient being at McCarthy Cabins knowing I was so close to all the action while at the same time far enough away to feel immersed in nothing but the wilderness.

Booking a reservation was simple. I initially put in a request a few months ahead of time to see about availability. The owner of McCarthy Cabins, Denise Jantz, is absolutely a pleasure to speak with! Denise made my stay and accommodations all that much better from her kindness and availability to her recommending all the terrific spots within Wrangell St. Elias to go about and explore.

Denise responded to my request immediately. Done! I was booked for 3 evenings back in June over this 2021 summertime. It was $150 per night (which, btw, is the cheapest rate you'll find for lodging within this remote McCarthy/Kennicott area). I paid half up front and the remaining half a few weeks prior to my arrival.

What was also amazing about Denise was her providing me with her telephone number in case I had an issue driving rugged McCarthy Road. When I did reach my cabin (called the Swift Creek Cabin), she stopped by to introduce herself and offered me any necessities or guidance I may have needed. Denise also has 2 lovely dogs that hang out with her if you're an animal lover (lol, like I am). They are sweet and good natured.

For my Swift Creek Cabin...it was terrific for myself traveling alone but was also ideal for 2 people. It had a great outdoor patio with a bench and rocking chair. A pleasant surprise was having a mosquito net right outside the door to avoid any bugs coming inside. Within my cabin...Denise provided a battery charging station for my electronics, clean drinkable water from the local creek nearby, a gas stove for cooking, a dresser draw for my hanging clothes, a dining table with 2 chairs, a lounge chair for relaxation and plenty of windows to look outside. This Swift Creek Cabin was perfect for me. All I can say is it reminded me of the true essence of rustic charm!

I can't say enough good things about my time and experience here at McCarthy Cabins within Wrangell St. Elias NP. And...not only was Denise so accommodative and cordial to me, but I left McCarthy with a friend!

For all the 1st timers out there needing to check off Wrangell St. Elias...I'm mentioning this hidden gem that is so deserving of much more...

My wife and I just returned from visiting the McCarthy and Kennecott area, and unfortunately, we left feeling very disappointed. To be clear, our lodging was excellent, and this review has nothing to do with where we stayed.|The problems began with the road into the area. Most descriptions you’ll read only tell half the story. The 60-mile drive is rough from start to finish. About 20 miles are paved, but the pavement is riddled with potholes and deep depressions, forcing you to weave constantly just to avoid damage. The remaining 40 miles are dusty gravel. Every passing vehicle throws up so much dust that visibility is almost nonexistent, and by the time you arrive—after roughly two hours—your car will be completely coated.|No matter where you stay outside McCarthy, you’ll need to drive to the footbridge, pay to park, cross the footbridge and then walk nearly a mile into town. You can wait for a shuttle, but they are very dirty. The road into McCarthy is the same dusty, rutted path, and while you’re walking, ATVs and cars pass by, throwing clouds of dust in your face.|Once in McCarthy, you’ll find two restaurants and one bar. The people working there are friendly, but the food is mediocre at best. The dining areas and buildings are also uncomfortably dirty, largely because of the dusty environment, and it seems like cleaning is not a priority.|Kennecott isn’t much different. Most tours depart from there, and while the historic setting has potential, it suffers from the same problems. The glacier hike was the one real highlight of our trip.|In short: if you’re willing to put up with dust, grime, and poor amenities in exchange for adventure or hiking, this area might appeal to you. But if you value comfort, cleanliness, and quality food, I do not...

OK...here's the INFO! First...DENISE is the bomb-diggity! She is awesome and was super helpful! My parents stayed in the very comfortable BLUFF Cabin...which was very well appointed, had both solar power...and gas lights. McCarthy is pretty much off the grid...and this cabin has a nice outhouse and shower (yup). ||||BUT...here's the SCOOP PEOPLE!!! Denise allowed us to be the FIRST family to stay at her new GLAMPING site...2 amazing tents with fullsize beds and truly luxurious appointments...she just opened them up as a soft opening ...not everything is completly perfect yet, this is the end of season...it is all new...and I gave her a few tips like putting a coat-hook in the brand new outhouse...but basically the location is AMAZING and people will be beating a path to these doors (ok, tent flaps actually). SO, yes, I recommend highly both McCarthy Cabins as well as the brand new Camp McCarthy Glamping tents...and Denise for her vision in her new creation! The experience couldn't have been better...truly a highlight of our entire...