National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve

The Wagon Road

(with access to the Toe of the Kennicott Glacier)

Access: The Wagon Road is a trail that can be accessed near the 

McCarthy Museum or from Kennecott Mill Town. This trail can be 

used to access the toe of the Kennicott Glacier.

Distance: 4.5 miles one-way from McCarthy to Kennecott Mill 

Town. 

Time: 1-3 hours one-way

Maps: Trails Illustrated map of Wrangell-St. Elias, USGS McCarthy 1:63,360 (B6)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Highlights: From the toe of the Kennicott Glacier, there are excellent views of Mt. Blackburn, Mt. Rime 

and the Atna and Parka Peaks, the Kennicott and Gates Glaciers, as well as the Stairway Icefall. Along the 

Wagon Road, you will pass the historic Kennecott cemetary approximately one mile from Kennecott.

Route: These directions are from McCarthy to Kennecott Mill Town. A map is located on the back of this 

handout.

Follow the main road north from the McCarthy Museum toward Kennecott Mill Town for approximately 

1000 feet until you see a turnoff to the left. This turnoff is just past a red and white building (the Tony Zak 

community center). If this turn is missed, there are two more side roads further down the road where you 

can access the wagon road. There are few signs on these roads because this area is private property. Please 

respect land owners and their property by staying on the road to insure you are not trespassing. Please 

reference the map on the back of this handout.

Go straight on the Wagon Road to reach Kennecott Mill town in about 4.5 miles. It is a pleasant trail slowly 

ascending through the forest, with some views of the mountains and the old Kennecott graveyard. The 

Wagon Road is also a nice (but rocky and bumpy) bike ride.

Toe of the Kennicott Glacier: To reach the toe of this glacier, folow the directions to the Wagon Road 

from the McCarthy Museum. After about 3/4 miles on the Wagon Road, the trail will fork - turn left to 

travel on a trail towards the face, or “toe” of the Kennicott Glacier. The trail ends at the terminal moraine 

and expanding meltwater lake of the Kennicott Glacier. Distance is 1.5 miles one way from the McCarthy 

Museum. One may hike and explore along the glacier for several miles. The area is wide open, free of trees, 

and suitable for primitive camping. There is a bear resistant food storage box at the camping area, proper 

food storage is required. Please practice Leave No Trace principles while camping.

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM Revised 9/2018
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM

Hazards: Travel with caution near

 and around glacial melt pools. The

 fine glacier silt may look dry but it can 

be very slippery. The melt pools are

 also extremely cold. There are 

numerous bears in this area. Take 

standard precautions for hiking in 

bear country. All food must be stored 

in Bear Resistant Food Containers, 

which can be borrowed from any 

park visitor center or in bear resistant

 food storage containers at specific

 camping locations, please reference 

the map.

Bikes are allowed on this trail. If you 

plan to bike, please use caution as the

 trail is narrow and rocky. Depending 

on weather, it can be wet with large

 puddles. This is a multi-use trail. Be 

aware of other users. Shaded areas 

indicate private property. Please 

stay on the trail through these areas.

Notes: Dryas plants are plentiful here. 

Please avoid stepping on this delicate

 vegetation. These dandelion-lookalike members of the rose family have

 a root system which is very easily 

destroyed when stepped on.

Toe of Glacier

Footbridge

Kennecott

McCarthy

Visitor Center

Wagon Road

Kennecott Road

Private Property

Kennecott Cemetery