Chitina
A former railway town at the start of McCarthy Road where the Copper and Chitina rivers meet; in summer, large numbers of Alaskans come to catch salmon with dip nets.
Chitina was once an important station on the Copper River and Northwestern Railway. After the railway closed, its population dropped sharply, and today a few old buildings and small shops remain. It is the last place to refuel and restock before McCarthy Road. Just outside town, the Copper and Chitina rivers meet. Each summer, when the salmon run, Alaska residents use long-handled dip nets to catch sockeye from the canyon walls, a unique sight that is open only to state residents. The national park runs a seasonal visitor information station here where you can ask about road conditions.
Opening hours
Summer
Nearby sights
- Liberty Falls State Recreation Site
- Kuskulana Bridge
- Gilahina Trestle
- McCarthy Road
- Kennicott Glacier
- Kennicott River Footbridge
- McCarthy
- Root Glacier