Kennecott Mill Town Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

Kennecott, Alaska is a ghost town frozen in time. When the Kennecott Copper Corporation abruptly abandoned the town in 1938, they left behind their equipment, buildings, and personal belongings; yet, their stories of discovery, perseverance, and ingenuity live on!

St. Elias Alpine Guides holds the exclusive concession with the National Park Service, and access to the 14-story Concentration Mill is only possible through this tour. Come see what it was like to live and work in this remote wilderness as you tour the town site with one of our knowledgeable guides. Listen to tales of lucky fortunes, tenacious frontiersmen, and tragic endings. Gain exclusive access to explore inside the 14-story mill building and several other historic buildings when you join our tour! Our 2-hour historic Mill Town Tour is a must-do for anyone visiting Kennecott, Alaska!

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Infants are required to be in a hands free carrier.

Not recommended for travelers who have difficulty walking.

Not recommended for travelers who experience extreme knee pain.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Hard Hat

What To Expect

Kennecott Copper Mine

Explore the Kennecott townsite with a knowledgeable guide! Start on the edge of town with a scenic vista as you learn about how the site developed and what it was like to live there. Along the walk your guide will explain the historic buildings that you see. Your guide's main goal is to give you access to the 14-story Kennecott Mill and Ammonia Leaching Buildings, which are only accessible on this tour. Once inside these buildings, your guide will show you the old machinery and explain how the copper oar was processed as well as what it was like to work here in the early 1900s. Please note that access to the mines is strictly prohibited by the NPS due to safety reasons. Some of the buildings that you see along the way are open to the public, so please make time to explore these buildings before or after the tour (buildings are open 9am-5pm).

2 hours • Admission Included

Options

Kennecott Mill Town Tour

Reviews

4.96

26 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Bucket list must
Kelly T,
Sep 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very knowledgeable staff. Great place to hike and explore. The van shuttle to get there was very convenient. It's a bucket list must.
Very good exoerience
amirsE2156BU,
Aug 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Pat the guide was very knowledgeable, and abswered all questions arrising. The tours really expose you to the big operation of the mine and history around it. Very recomnended and must do when visiting kennecot
Great educational expierence
Global479562,
Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Was more than we expected and really cool to be able to walk through the old copper mill. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all questions.
Fantastic, knowledgeable...
Damaris B,
Aug 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Fantastic, knowledgeable guide! Beautiful scenery while out in nature and viewing the outside of the mine. Once inside the mine, requires the ability to climb down steep stairs. Lots of great support (Handrails) and you can take your time. Very informative and enjoyable.
Perfect overview of Wrangell/St. Elias NP
terryz573,
Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We did a three day package: Mill Town Tour; Rafting on the Kennicott River; and, All day Glacier hike. All guides were above and beyond in knowledge and skill. We could not have had a better visit. While at the Park, we stayed at Currant Ridge cabins which is two miles up the road from McCarthy. We were also treated to a local play about the history of McCarthy.
If you wanna really tour the mine, you need to go on this tour
Mark H,
Aug 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
If you made it all the way here, of course you’re gonna do a tour. The tours are not done by the park service, this company does them. Our guide, Josh, did a great job of giving an overview of the mine during our two hour tour. It’s a steep walk uphill to go inside the 14 story tall processing building that dominates the site. You need to wear a hard hat because there are lots of cross members. You can hit your head on. There are also lots of tripping hazards. The only way you can enter this building and the leaching plant is to go on a guided tour. For $34, plus tip, it’s a bargain
Must do for history and geology lovers
ana816travel,
Aug 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Major shoutout to Orion for making our Kennicott Mill tour such a pleasant experience. Orion was well educated on the mill, as well as the history of Kennicott. He was engaging with the audience and remained friendly and professional. We had a wonderful time. Thank you, Orion!
So cool
Megan F,
Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This tour was THE experience to not miss in Kennecot! The root glacier hike is also cool, but this mill tour is the thing to do.
The tour was an excellent...
Richard K,
Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The tour was an excellent experience. A great insight into our nations past. Very informative and fun. We would highly recommend.
Worth it
happycamper1060,
Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
While you can walk through the Mill Town and explore some buildings on your own, it is definitely worth taking the tour to get into the mill itself and hear more about life in the town. Rob was an excellent guide, keeping up a lively commentary while we poked around a piece of history.