Gulkana Guest Cabin

Salmon fishing on the Gulkana, Copper and Klutina Rivers (to name just a few) is a thrilling way to experience the wild outdoors, with catches ranging from 15 – 50+ pounds. Book your trip early (reservations fill up months in advance!) and look into permits needed, type of fish you’d want to chase, length of day and the best time of year to visit.

Though not well known, the Copper River is home to Wrangell St. Elias National Park & Preserve, the largest national park in America. Pictured is the Kennecott Copper Mines, located in McCarthy. Learn more about the park and plan a trip to the visitor center in Copper Center, 25 minutes south of our cabin.

Learn about Athabascan heritage and culture – While at the park visitor center, stop in the Ahtna Cultural Center to learn more about the history and traditions of Athabascan Natives in the Copper River Valley.

Hiking – While there is plenty of space and river banks to wander around the Copper Valley, few marked trails are mapped out for hikers. However several incredible hikes can be found with a little effort. Photographed, Jim at the peak of the Caribou Creek Trail near Slana. Read our blog post about hikes in the valley.

Go out for dinner at either of the valley’s historic lodges. The Gakona Lodge & Trading Post is a 20 minute drive north of Glennallen, and The Old Town Copper Center Inn & Restaurant is 20 minutes south. Both also offer room accommodations and are good resources for booking locally guided activities.

Join the community for the 4th of July in Glennallen! Each year there is a morning fun run, followed by a parade down the main street (Glenn Highway). After the parade, make your way to Pioneer Park (baseball fields behind the public library) for the annual Lions Club Salmon Bake and family activities.

Looking for a good book to enjoy or need a family friendly activity? Visit the Copper Valley Community Library in Glennallen.

Your first resource, the Copper Valley Chamber of Commerce shares news, local information, and business listings for all service needs.

Copper River Record – The valley’s newspaper covering events, business, sports, weather, hunting, and more. Consider subscribing before or after your trip!

KCAM 790 is the “voice of the Copper River Valley” playing music, sharing communications to rural Alaska through Caribou Clatters, announcing high school sports, covering upcoming community events and more.

Eureka Lodge – One hour west of Glennallen towards Anchorage, you’ll pass Eureka at mile 128 on the Glenn Highway. This is a good place to stop and stretch your legs, get a snack, or sit down for lunch. Fondly known by Alaskans as “Home of the 25 Cent Coffee.” There are four-wheel, snowmachine, and hiking trails nearby, including the popular Gunsight Mountain hike.

Lake Louise Lodge – Drive 43 miles out of Glennallen towards Anchorage, and turn left on Lake Louise Road. You’ll reach the lodge 16 miles down this road. Open year round, Lake Louise Lodge offers seasonal activities, lake front property, a restaurant, cabin rentals, wedding services and more.

Chitina – This junction town linking the Richardson Highway and the Kennecott Copper Mines railroad took form in 1910, and boomed for several decades before suddenly turning into a ghost town shortly after copper prices dropped and the mining company applied to abandon the railroad in 1938. The small town has slowly revived, and is a unique destination to experience Alaska’s history and sink into the wild beauty of Wrangell St. Elias National Park.

Chitina continued – A quick 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Glennallen, through the small agricultural community of Kenny Lake. Rooms and meals are available at Gilpatrick’s Chitina Hotel, or tent and camper spaces can be reserved at Liberty Falls State Recreation Site (you will pass the turnoff 10 miles before reaching Chitina.) The National Park Service operates the Chitina Ranger Station (be sure to stop here before heading down the McCarthy Highway) which is a fun family stop to learn the history of the area. Located on the Copper River, Chitina becomes a hustling hub in the summertime of fishermen, campsites, nets and fishwheels (pictured.)

Valdez – Two hours south, up and over Thompson Pass, the historic town of Valdez (pronounced Val-deez) is a highly recommended destination during your time in Alaska. Located on the Atlantic Ocean, fishing opportunities (viewing and doing) are endless, as well as ocean cruises, wildlife viewing, history lessons, waterfalls, family friendly hikes, and much more. Be sure to check out the Valdez Harbor, Allison Point, Bridal Veil and Horsetail Falls, Reflection Lake, Worthington Glacier and the original townsite of Valdez before the 1964 earthquake.

Tok – Located almost exactly halfway between Glennallen and the Canadian Border, about 2.5 hours away, Tok (pronounced Toke) is home to the famous Fast Eddies restaurant, a great place to stop for any meal. One hour before reaching Tok (if driving from Glennallen) at mile 57 on the Tok Highway, turn right onto the Nabesna road to visit the Slana Ranger Station, part of Wrangell St. Elias National Park. The station is open to visitors and is a good place to check in before heading out on a hike.

Drive the McCarthy Highway – Interested in expanding your historic, rugged adventure? Read our blog post about driving the McCarthy Highway from Chitina to visit the Kennecott Copper Mines.

The road is not easily traveled – the pavement stops at Chitina. After crossing the bridge over the Copper River, a somewhat level gravel road winds 60 miles to McCarthy, with travel speeds topping out at 40 mph. But the journey is worth the destination. Photographed, a black bear stops to take in its surroundings on the “highway”.