Top Day Trips from McCarthy (Updated October 2026)

If you like to learn history, you should try this tour. However, there are several steep staircases along with a ladder.

My wife and I had a great time on our half day hike. It was us plus a mother and her son - so a nice small group. A few weeks before we did the hike a rockslide had necessitated a change towards the end of the hiking trail. However the NPS had done a great job blazing a new trail. The hike is not super strenuous, though the last bit is a bunch of switchbacks down to the glacier, so it is a bit of a leg burner on the way back up. Having proper crampons for the glacier made it a breeze to hike around. It was really fun to get to see some of the different features, and drink nice clear glacier water. Our guide Stephanie made the experience even better. We were back in plenty of time to do the later afternoon mill tour. The tour included transport from the footbridge and back (though at the end of the day they dropped us off at the Potato - which was nice since it saved us a bit of a hike to dinner).

Emma was our guide on the Mill Tour and was fun and informative. She had the right balance of keeping us safe but engaged in the remarkable history. Highly recommend

We had a great time on the afternoon tour. It was a bright and sunny day and we stayed completely comfortable even when there was an iceberg in our path. Our guide was great and made us feel safe and have fun. She talked all 3 of my sons into getting into the glacier water which is something they won't soon forget. It's not a super long trip but it a really fun thing to do in the afternoon and enjoy the sun, the glacier, the river and the gorgeous views.

A fabulous adventure! All the gear was included and well thought out. Ana was a great guide and very knowledgeable. She also expertly took us through the rapids. We loved every minute of it!

Hiking the Root Glacier was exciting and a little scary as our first glacier hike. However, hiking with a friendly, experienced, and knowledgible guide, such as Veronica, from McCarthy River Tours made our day. Veronica prepared us for the hike and provided all of the guidance needed. Veronica stayed with us every step, she shared her experience and knowledge to insure a safe hike as well as an interesting experience. We would never have ventured as far and as safely on the Root Glacier if we had hiked without a guide. Veronica made this hike a memorable and fun one.

The tour was customized for us. John, our guide, was very helpful in helping us get into our dry suits and explaining what to expect on the short hike to the lake we were Kayaking on. Not only was he exceptionally knowledgeable about the history of McCarthy and the mountains and glaciers we were seeing, but had lots of information of the geology of the area. He told us about local plants. John is very skilled, patient and kind. We loved every minute of our Four hour adventure!

A group of friends and I went on the Glacial Lake Inflatable Kayak Tour and wow, what an amazing day of adventure! The scenery was breath taking, our guide was friendly and professional and even the weather cooperated with us. After a lovely paddle back to an ice wall we stopped for some lunch and a chance to take in our surroundings. Then it was off to find an iceberg to jump off! Yes, an iceberg to jump off! That was definitely the highlight of the day. Each of us took our turn plunging into the glacier lake and swimming back to the iceberg edge. Exhilarating to say the least. We have lived in Alaska for 6 year years now and have done lots of adventures, but this experience is at the top of our list. Even our friend who are lifelong Alaskans agreed it was one of the best adventures they've had. And if that was not enough on the return paddle back we hit a couple awesome rapids that also thrilled us! I would highly recommend trying this or another trip offered by McCarthy River Tours & Outfitters. Safety and professionalism come first, but adventure definitely comes second!

We were lucky to have a private tour with probably the most knowledgeable and personal guide we’ve ever met. Ben went out of his way to answer every question we had (and we had a lot). His enthusiasm is over the top!

We found the mill tour to be interesting and educational. Emma, our guide, also made it fun. There were quite a few stairs and ladders on our trip down. On every level, Emma told us something about the history of the mill and how the copper was processed.

After a bumpy start due to miscommunication from Cool Destinations, we had a fabulous float trip with Cesar and Veronica. First off, make sure you meet at the shuttle turnaround near the Wrangell visitor center, just up the street from the Kennicott Glacier Lodge or you will miss your shuttle pickup and cell phone is spotty so it is very difficult to communicate with McCarthy River tour operator. We got picked up an hour after our start time by Cesar. Immediately, Cesar apologized for the delay and made us feel relaxed and excited about the upcoming raft trip. He was going to be our guide and with 10 years of experience we felt we were in good hands. We changed into a dry suit, life vest, helmet and borrowed some shoes so ours would stay dry back at camp. Then we walked to the raft and paddled around on the glacial lake. We stopped and walked on a rock debris covered iceberg and viewed several areas were the unprotected advancing glacier was melting away. Spectacular and awe inspiring! We stopped and waited on another piece of floating ice so we could eat a quick lunch and then we were joined by Veronica, who rode in a separate kayak to be a rescue person, just in case someone fell out. The rapids were thrilling and the water was freezing cold as it splashed on our hands and face. Throughout the entire trip Cesar made us feel safe and comfortable. He was informative, polite and very cautious. As we rode back to base camp in a truck, Veronica told us more about what brought her to guide in Alaska. We were very pleased with our adventure as the area is breathtakingly beautiful but I feel like we were so lucky to have Cesar and Veronica join us as they both made this an adventure of a lifetime. As a bonus, we saw a bald eagle take flight from the shoreline and a black bear wandered in front of the truck on the way back to camp. Double score and a bonus for sure!

We had a great experience on our water tour. We first explored the glacier lake before rafting down level III rapids. Our guide Leo was very knowledgeable about the area and water. We were also assisted by Cesar.

An amazing view of a real live glacier. A scenic hike along the historic mining town of Kennicott takes you to the bottom of the root glacier where you strap on supplied crampons to hike around a beautiful white ice glacier with the option to swim in a glacial pool. Knowledgeable guides keep you informed about your surroundings and the history of the old mining town.

This was a great day hiking to the glacier and over it. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly.

We were not sure what our weekend getaway would look like due to COVID but McCarthy River Tours & Outfitters provided an unbelievably fun experience! Health was always considered, as we prepared and got out on the lake. Our guides Sam and Johnny were a blast to hang out with, and made sure we felt safe throughout our trip— especially as we navigated our own inexperience on kayaks. Such a great time. I’d definitely book with them again!

Thank you to Johnny at McCarthy River Outfitters for a great trip from start to finish! Our family had a wonderful time kayaking on Kennicott Glacier Lake and learned a lot about the McCarthy area. Johnny was professional, knowledgeable, safety-minded, energetic, and super fun to hang out with for four hours!We highly recommend McCarthy River Outfitters. Thanks and let us know when you get those t-shirts in stock.