McCarthy Lodge Resort

McCarthy, Restored Ghost Town, surrounded by wilderness
McCarthy Rose - Theater Production
Ma Johnson's Historical Hotel
Kimmie, Our Lodge Doggo
Something special at the Salmon & Bear
Fine Dining at the Salmon and Bear
McCarthy downtown
Surrounded by the highest concentrations of mountains in Alaska!
Restored Kate Kennedy House
The McCarthy Lodge Restaurant
Copper River Red Salmon
Ma Johnson's Hotel Lobby
Streets of McCarthy
Enjoy Dinner on the deck
Fourth Of July celebrations!
Ice Climbing on a glacier
Grocery Store in McCarthy
Kennicott Mill Town
Plated Desserts - Salmon and Bear Restaurant
Golden Saloon is the local evening hangout!

Spend the Summer Working in Beautiful Wrangell St Elias National Park, Alaska

We are a small, remote Alaskan resort that offers excellent compensation plus FREE ROOM & BOARD with staff kitchen, & basics provided for your use. An amazingly fun and safe work environment in one of Alaska's most dramatic destinations!  Our season is May 15 to Sept 15 each year. There are No J1 or HB2 Visas accepted

McCarthy, Alaska - located in the very center of Wrangell St. Elias National Park

About McCarthy Lodge Resort

Located in the heart of America’s largest national park, Wrangell St. Elias, McCarthy Lodge stands as an emblem of authenticity amidst the majestic mountains and glaciers of McCarthy, Alaska.

Our award-winning resort, woven through several historic landmarks such as The Ma Johnson’s Hotel, McCarthy Lodge, and The Golden Saloon, offers an unparalleled off-grid experience.

As proud Alaskans, we emphasize exceptional dining, a vibrant bar scene, and genuine accommodations.

The essence of local artistry graces our town, amplifying its charm. Dive into an adventurous wilderness with us for a summer that’ll etch everlasting memories. Join our legacy!

The Employee Experience

Your experience in McCarthy, Alaska will change you.

The friends you make will last a lifetime. 

McCarthy is a restored ghost town community in the center of Wrangell St-Elias National Park.

We are a respectful group of wilderness seekers. We love the history of the town because it creates awareness of both continuity in community and man's struggle to keep wild places wild. We've 'tamed' a bit of the wilderness in McCarthy, but the wild is all around us.

The few of us folks who live here own and operate businesses - and we all want YOU to experience the same adventures guests will have. To do that, the activities around us will be made available to you for free (or with minimal cost to cover fuel) when there is space available. Rafting, Flight-seeing, Ice Climbing and so much more...

Interested in Theater, Music or Audio & Lighting? The past few summers we've been developing a Live Music Venue and Stage Play for the town and our visitors...  We do have weekend part time extra work for staff with an interest in Theater Production, sound & lighting. If you've got experience with DMX Lighting or if interested in learning about lighting, Audio Engineering or stage production, ask us for more information during your interview!  

VISUALS ABOUT THE AREA: Check out the video links, or just search all things McCarthy to get a sense of the adventures that await you

Ideal Candidate

We’re on the lookout for individuals who embody a principled work ethic and can thrive amidst unpredictable circumstances with grace and flexibility.

If you’re someone who inherently values hard work and understands the profound simplicity of hospitality — the joy of service combined with the diligence it takes to prepare and maintain a welcoming environment — then you’re the candidate we desire.

We believe in a mutual respect between our team and the company, and if you’re the type who naturally steps up, eager to contribute in a setting that truly values its staff, we sincerely invite you to join our unique journey in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness.

Room and Board

We provide free housing and food. Other staff amenities included: free laundry facilities and a communal employee kitchen. You will also find a grocery store, a bar, and several other restaurants in or near McCarthy.  

We Provide Room and Board at no cost to staff

Meals: We provide a Staff Kitchen and most of the staples to cook your own meals. You should anticipate spending a little bit to supplement your dietary issues or individual tastes. This would allow for your own control over your dietary day-to-day needs. You can expect to see the following items supplied at no cost:

Milk, cheese, bread, condiments, cereal, eggs, lunch meats, produce (veggies and fruits), canned goods, dinner entrée proteins such as chicken, pork, beef, fish; dinner starches such as potatoes, rice or pasta. These items are readily available to our staff at no cost. Since everyone is also expected to pitch in for their own likes and needs, everyone is able to maintain their happiness! You will find some of your peers more adept at not using their own funds for food. For instance, staff with allergens and other dietary concerns may use more of their own supplemental foods than staff with no food aversions. Dietary restrictions are subject to difficult logistics - Please consider your dietary restrictions and the practicality of our remote location.

Everyone is responsible for participating by cooking for themselves and cleaning up after themselves. Many of the staff participate with each other's meal planning in various ways. Keeping the kitchen area clean is the responsibility of the staff using the kitchen areas. Keep the common areas of the employee house clean. 

Housing: Shared housing (2 people per room).  A limited number of Single Occupancy rooms are available for senior staff. We have limited "wall tents" for staff who prefer tent city life, and wish to avoid a roommate. All housing options include showers. laundry, kitchen use, fuels, etc.

Transportation: We will provide transportation to and from Anchorage & McCarthy. You are responsible for getting to and from Anchorage to your home state. 

Employee Perks

When you're not working, you're playing!

You will enjoy adventure opportunities most people only dream of, such as glacier hikes, flightseeing, rafting, and other activities at little or no cost. We strive to give you two consecutive days off a week to enjoy all the wonders of the area. We value happy employees. 

Getting Here and Getting Around

Anchorage to McCarthy round trip ground transportation is provided at no charge.

Mail arrives by plane Mondays and Thursdays. Amazon deliveries by mail plane are a regular thing out here.

You don't need a car, but you could bring it if you like. Discuss your options during your interview or by email if interested in bringing a vehicle to the McCarthy area. 

Bikes are OK but hiking boots are essential! - The world class Hikes are amazing our here...

For Fun

You are having fun in McCarthy when you live, work, and play with us!  

Bands come play from Anchorage and the "lower 48" - rocking the town of McCarthy on Friday & Saturday nights at the Golden Saloon.

Thursday night is open mic night, bring your instrument, your talent, and ham it up!  Or maybe you want to work with the Lighting and Audio for music and other events all summer long. Our local theater production, "McCarthy Rose", is a unique opportunity to bring out your inner actor! 

Our employees enjoy camping, photography, yoga, rafting, flightseeing, mountain biking, performing music, Aurora viewing, painting and more...

How to Apply

Please note that we are not able to work with J1 or HB2 Visas.

Apply online via the link below!


Contact McCarthy Lodge Resort