News Release

Getting to Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark

Date: June 30, 2023
Contact: Carrie Wittmer, 907-822-7255

Copper Center, AK – Summer is a great time for visitors to experience the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark (NHL) and nearby scenic landscapes. The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce that there are now two authorized shuttle services from McCarthy to Kennecott. Shuttle times and information are available at the Kennicott River Bridge. You can also reach Kennecott by bicycling or walking approximately 5 miles to the mill town.

In Kennecott, keep in mind that the historic mill town and much of the surrounding area are within the Kennicott Subdivision, a residential community where NPS public lands are interspersed with privately owned lands. State ownership of the McCarthy Road ends at the southern boundary of the subdivision. Beyond that point, Kennicott Subdivision easements are private and reserved for the use of the present owners and their guests only. NHL visitors, as NPS guests in the subdivision, should be respectful of privately owned lands and residents of the subdivision.

On NPS lands in the NHL, parking is only allowed at the shuttle turnaround which is located next to the Kennecott Visitor Center. The turnaround has limited capacity and can accommodate only about 6-7 full-size vehicles. When the parking spaces are filled, there is nowhere to safely park without impacting authorized shuttle operations. Parking on NPS lands elsewhere in the NHL is prohibited except for Federally qualified rural Alaska residents engaged in permitted subsistence activities.

Thank you for recreating responsibly and safely in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark.