McCarthy, Alaska, in the heart of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, is, at 13 million acres, the largest national park in the United States, reports the National Park Service. Accommodations in McCarthy are within 30 minutes of glacier hiking and climbing opportunities in the park. McCarthy hotels are also less than five minutes from tourist shops and historic restaurants in the town center. Water sports enthusiasts can go kayaking and fishing in the Kennicott River, approximately 10 minutes from McCarthy hotels.
The Ma Johnson's Historic Hotel is in downtown McCarthy and was built in 1923, making it the oldest hotel in town. This hotel features 16 rooms on two floors. The rooms have antique furniture and artifacts; every two rooms share a bathroom. None of the rooms have televisions or telephones, but guests receive complimentary bathrobes and slippers during their stay. This hotel has been featured in "National Geographic" magazine. Other hotel amenities include a library for group gatherings and a gourmet breakfast prepared by the staff every morning. The hotel is within five minutes of local McCarthy restaurants, including the McCarthy Lodge and New Golden Saloon. The McCarthy Lodge offers American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while the Golden Saloon is a pub-style establishment with live folk music entertainment.
Situated in downtown McCarthy, the Lancaster's Backpacker Hotel provides reasonable room rates. The hotel is only open from May through September and is designed similar to a hostel; however, it has private rooms, rather than rooms with bunk beds. Some of the 10 rooms have shared bathrooms, while other have private bathrooms. This hotel is lodged in a converted house from the early 20th century. Lancaster's is approximately five minutes from shops and restaurants in downtown McCarthy, and the hotel provides complimentary shuttle transportation to the town center. The hotel is less than 10 minutes from kayaking and fishing opportunities on the Kennicott River.
The Kennicott Glacier Lodge in Kennicott is less than 20 miles from McCarthy, within 20 minutes of glacier hiking and climbing activities in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The lodge is also 15 minutes from Kennicott, an early 20th century gold mining settlement. This "ghost town" settlement is open for the public to tour. The lodge rests on the side of a hill, overlooking nearby Kennicott Glacier. Vacation packages are available, which include room rates, three meals and transportation between McCarthy and Kennicott. The lodge's on-site restaurant is in the Main Lodge and provides the meals in the vacation packages. The rooms in the Main Lodge have views of the glacier and mountains, while the South Wing offers views of the glacier. Each first floor room in the Main Lodge has an outdoor entrance on the lodge's front porch.
