National Park Service · Alaska
Kennicott Glacier Backcountry (Wrangell-St. Elias NP)
Near McCarthy, Alaska — Free and tent sites only, no RV pads by our record.
Can I bring an RV to Kennicott Glacier Backcountry?
What length RV fits Kennicott Glacier Backcountry? Our record: Kennicott Glacier Backcountry is tent-only, with no RV pads. Free backcountry permits — first-come at McCarthy Ranger Station. Book on the operator's own page.
- Open: Our record: Mid-June through August.
Camping at Kennicott Glacier Backcountry? Tell us the nights.
One email when an Alaska owner lists a rig for those nights.
On the ground
McCarthy Road footbridge ends the road for vehicles — you walk in. Free permit is mandatory; rangers brief you on bear-canister rentals and the unstable moraine zones. The Root Glacier toe sits 1.5 miles past Kennicott town; pitch above the lateral moraine, not on it.
From our record
- Open
- Mid-June through August
- Booking
- Free backcountry permits — first-come at McCarthy Ranger Station
- On site
- Dry / no hookups, Pets allowed
- Camping styles
- Tent camping
Keep planning Alaska
More Alaska campgrounds
- Rosehip Campground (Chena River SRA)$20–$25/night, rigs to 40 ft
- Exit Glacier Tent Campground (Kenai Fjords NP)Free, tent sites only, no RV pads
- Seward Waterfront Park Campground$30–$65/night, big-rig OK; max unverified
- Homer Spit Campground$30–$65/night, big-rig OK; max unverified
- All 10 Alaska campgrounds
Around McCarthy
The rest of the Alaska trip
Kennicott Glacier Backcountry (Wrangell-St. Elias NP) questions
- What length RV fits Kennicott Glacier Backcountry?
- Our record: Kennicott Glacier Backcountry is tent-only, with no RV pads.
- When is Kennicott Glacier Backcountry open?
- Our record: Mid-June through August.
- How do I reserve a site at Kennicott Glacier Backcountry?
- Free backcountry permits — first-come at McCarthy Ranger Station. Book on the operator's own page.
Before you go
Alaska rules for RV renters
Alaska rules
Verified 2026-05-10
- Rental tax
- 2.5%
- Min driver age
- 18+ · 21+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Allowed, disclose
- Generator quiet hours
- 22:00-08:00
- Alcohol in cabin
- Parked only
- Dump station
- Strict