McCarthy is a census-designated place (CDP) in Copper River Census Area, Alaska, United States.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP of McCarthy has a total area of 148.3 square miles (384 km2).

Historically, from the end of the road one had to cross the Kennecott River and then a smaller stream using manually propelled ropeways, but a footbridge was built in 1997.

Drawn by an increase in tourism since the founding of Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, a significant portion of McCarthy's summer population resides elsewhere in the winter.

Their permanent camp was on the Copper River at the village of Taral near Chitina where they fished for salmon.

Partly because alcoholic beverages and prostitution were forbidden in Kennecott, McCarthy grew as an area to provide illicit services not available in the company town.

It grew quickly into a major town with a gymnasium, a hospital, a school, a bar and a brothel.

The old mine buildings, artifacts, and colorful history attract visitors during the summer months.

The Kennecott and McCarthy area ranks as one of the United States' most endangered landmarks by the National Trust for Historic Places.

In an attempt to disrupt the Alaska pipeline,[12] 39-year-old Louis D. Hastings, armed with a .223-caliber Ruger Mini-14 semi-automatic rifle,[13] murdered six of the 22 citizens of McCarthy on March 1, 1983.

[14] This case, and the town of McCarthy, were showcased on the Discovery Channel's Alaska Ice Cold Killers episode "Frozen Terror".