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Klutina Salmon Charters and Campground |
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Milepost 101, Richardson Highway, PO Box 78 |
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Copper Center, Alaska 99573 |
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(907)822-3991 |
Winter Phone Numbers: Home/Office: (505) 772-2930 |
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Local Residents
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Klutina Salmon Charters and Campground is located in the middle of the vast Copper River Basin. The Copper River Basin is steeped in history and abounds in wildlife. Surrounding the Copper River Valley are four majestic mountain ranges: the Chugach, Talkeetna, Alaska and Wrangell ranges. The Wrangell range includes the largest active volcano in Alaska-Mt. Wrangell. We are located on the Old Richardson Highway less than one mile from the center of historic community of Copper Center. We are at the confluence of the Copper and Klutina Rivers which are widely known for Copper River red salmon and king salmon. The Klutina River is noted for its large king salmon which run from late June through early August. The red salmon run from early June through mid-August. There are also Grayling and Dolly Varden. Nearby lakes offer great trout fishing. The king salmon catch is as good as it gets anywhere in Alaska. |
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Copper Center Copper Center is very picturesque and one of Alaska's oldest non-native communities in the interior of Alaska. Founded as a government experimental station, it later served as a transportation center for the gold rush prospectors who came over the old Richardson Trail from Valdez enroute to the forty mile area and Dawson. The town offers a full range of services to the traveler. The nearby Copper Center Lodge is one of Alaska's historic sites. The George I. Ashby Memorial Museum, operated by the Copper Valley Historical Society, is housed in the bunkhouse annex of the lodge. It offers a glimpse into the past containing early Russian religious articles, Athebascan artifacts, telegraph and mineral displays, copper and gold mining memorabilia, and trapping articles from the early day Copper Valley. There is an old log church on a nearby hill. |
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
| Copper Center is the gateway to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The preserve information center is located nearby on the Old Richardson Highway. The Wrangell Range covers an area of over 5,000 square miles, and has twelve peaks over 10,000 feet. several peaks are higher than 16,000 feet. Innumerable glaciers drain northward into the Tanana and Yukon River systems which flow into the Bering Sea. Glaciers also drain southward into the Copper River and Chitina River systems which empty into Prince William Sound and the Pacific. |
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Edgerton Highway
| The Edgerton Highway branches off the Richardson Highway through the small community of Chitina and into the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park to the ghost towns of Kennicott and McCarthy. The mine tours are well worth the time. This is undoubtedly one of the premier driving tours in Alaska. The first 33 miles of the route are paved. Liberty Falls Campground, with 6 units and good grayling fishing is 24 miles from the start of the highway. Along the way, visit the Golden Spruce cabins and convenience store. Two mile lake is seen as you approach Chitina. |
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Liberty Falls |
Two Mile Lake |
Chitina
| Chitina (pronounced CHIT na) has a population of about 50 or so. The entire community is listed on the national register of historic places. Its old buildings and fishing in the nearby lakes and streams are the main attractions. |
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Gift Shop and old buildings |
Services |
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Ample Parking
| Chitina became prominent about 1910 as a railroad and mining supply center, after completion of the Copper River and Northwestern Railway from the coastal town 0f Cordova to the world famous copper mines at Kennicott. The road from Chitina to McCarthy is the old railroad bed. This gravel road is state maintained from May 15-September 15 and is passable by any passenger vehicle. There are no services beyond Chitina and the road is narrow in places, so watch for other traffic. At the end of the road, you must leave your vehicle and cross the Kennicott River on a footbridge to reach the towns of McCarthy and Kennicott. The town of Kennicott offers a tour of the mine. Try the local fare in the restaurants in McCarthy. The scenery in the area is stunning. |
| Richardson Highway to Valdez |
| The Richardson highway continues past the Edgerton highway to Valdez. On the way, stop and walk on the Worthington glacier. Touch the Alaska Pipeline. |
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Looking back up the Copper Valley from the Worthington Glacier |
| Continue through the spectacular Thompson Pass. The descent from Thompson Pass is awesome - from 2,678 feet to near sea-level in less than 8 miles! Watch how you use your brakes here, especially if you are in a large vehicle. As you near Valdez, the waterfalls in Keystone Canyon demand a stop - both Bridal Veil and Horsetail Falls are
stunning. |
Thompson Pass |
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Bridal Veil Falls |
Cruise Prince William Sound from Valdez to the Columbia and the Mears Glaciers. Sea life is abundant. Sea otters and seals are seen nearly everywhere in this region. |
Mears Glacier |
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