Kennecott Mill Town Tour with St. Elias Alpine Guides

The wilderness town of Kennecott—once home to a bustling mining operation—was suddenly abandoned in 1938 when the Kennecott Copper Corporation ceased operations. Today, everything from the machinery to the personal belongings of former residents has been preserved just as it was back then.

Now you can tour the ghost town with an expert: St. Elias Alpine Guides was granted special permission as the only concessionaire with the National Park Service to take travelers not only around the town, but also inside the buildings. Experience the eerie feeling of walking around these abandoned buildings, and hear what life was like for those who worked and lived here during one of the richest copper strikes in history. You’ll learn some of the stories of these larger-than-life characters and come away with some great photos to show.

The tour itself is 2 hours and is open to all ages, but it requires walking a mile, including a steep hill (150 ft elevation gain), climbing down ladders with handrails and steep stairs. Small children must be able to navigate on their own or be held in a carrier.

About St. Elias Alpine Guides

Founded in 1978, St. Elias Alpine Guides has a long history of empowering adventurers to achieve their trip of a lifetime. Their home base is the teeny bush town of McCarthy, Alaska, located in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (the largest national park in America). Largely untouched by human impact, this extraordinary wilderness is the perfect staging ground for glacier hiking, backpacking, rafting, skiing, or even climbing some of the tallest peaks in the country. Take advantage of SEAG’s expertise and dedicated service to customize your dream trip - perfect for families or groups with a range of interests and abilities. No matter what you choose, you’ll be sure to get a slice of the “real Alaska” and make memories to last a lifetime.