Abandoned before the mid-20th century, Kennecott drew enough attention after the 1980’s to initiate its stabilization and rehabilitation by the Park Service. Current visitors to Kennecott enjoy NPS tours of the restored mill town, available each day during the summer.Visiting McCarthy and Kennecott is worth the small journey to get there, 3-4 hours via road (See other road and air options below).

The road leads south through Kenny Lake and historic Chitina, through an impressive railroad cut above the broad confluence of the Copper and Chitina Rivers, and onto the 60 mile McCarthy Road to McCarthy and Kennecott. Check in at the at Chitina, just before you cross the Copper River on a modern bridge. North of the bridge you’ll see a small city of fish wheels turning all along the river, bringing local subsistence users a bright seasonal catch.