Kennicott Copper Mine: The Abandoned Mining Town In Alaska

There’s a good chance you’ve heard about Kennecott, but if you haven’t, it’s a destination in Alaska that everyone must check out. Once a booming town in the center of several copper mines, it now stands almost completely empty… yet eerily preserved. This ghost town in Alaska is a must-see if you’re in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve! Kennicott Copper Mine is one of the most amazing abandoned places in Alaska; this is one place you won’t forget after you visit.

Have you ever been to the ghost town of Kennecott?

Kennecott is located beside the Kennicott Glacier, northeast of Valdez, inside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The copper mines it sits between were very active and very profitable in the early 1900s.

But in the 20s and 30s, the mines were quickly depleting, meaning the end was near for towns like Kennecott.

By 1940, Kennecott was little more than a ghost town except for a family of 3 that served as watchmen until 1952. As the buildings began to age, this town became one of the creepy places in Alaska to visit.

Here's a small residential area and hospital that's leftover from when Kennecott was a lively place.

There were attempts over the years to demolish it, but ultimately it became a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

With that came tourism and it's likely why those of you who have been there heard about it at all. The town has never been repopulated.

Touring the abandoned buildings and mines is definitely an awesome experience. Many people also go glacier hiking and ice climbing.

There's still lots of leftover debris from the mill, making it a truly preserved ghost town.

The houses, left empty, are eery. They are truly a time capsule to the past.

While many of the buildings have been restored, when I visited there was still an air of mystery around the town.

If you're ever in the area, check it out. It's accessible by air or driving the infamous McCarthy Road.

Want to see more? Check out the video:

Have you ever been to Kennecott Copper Mine, this ghost town in Alaska? If so, tell us about your experience in the comments. Was it creepy? Were the views incredible? We want to hear all about it! If you’re driving out to Kennecott, don’t forget the road trip snacks!

If you love this town and want to stay longer, book a stay where The Views At This Glacier Lodge In Alaska Will Leave You Speechless. You’ll love the views!

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Megan McDonald | August 28, 2020

What is so special about Wrangell - St. Elias National Park?

Wrangell- St Elias is actually America’s largest National Park! It covers 13.2 million beautiful acres. It is so huge it could fit Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined! It has the largest concentration of glaciers in all of North America. The highest peak in the park, Mount St Elias, sits at 18,008 feet. That’s the 2nd tallest peak in the entire United States. Wrangell - St. Elias also has nine of the sixteen highest peaks in America. It has a fantastic representation of Alaskan wildlife, and is home to a glacier larger than the state of Rhode Island. This park is home to an unimaginable amount of beauty and majesty. You truly have to see it to believe it!

How many people visit Wrangell- St. Elias National Park every year?

Even though this park is the largest in all of America, it has some of the lowest number of visitors. In 2019, only 74,518 people visited this awe inspiring National Park. This is mostly due to the fact that the park, although immense, is almost entirely remote. Nabesna Road and McCarthy Road both head into the park, but those are the only roads. McCarthy and its neighboring historic mining town of Kennicott both reside inside the boundaries of the park, and they receive visitors every summer.

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Kennicott, McCarthy, AK 99566, USA

Going To This Abandoned Alaska Ghost Town Is Eerie But Awesome

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