Description
Location Overview
May Creek Airstrip sits in the remote backcountry of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, nestled between May Creek and Chititu Creek in the Nizina River valley, roughly 11.5 miles southeast of McCarthy, Alaska. Surrounded by mixed spruce and aspen forest at an elevation of about 1,650 feet, it lies within the vast expanse of the Wrangell Mountains, one of the most isolated and scenic corners of the park.
Camping & Recreation
The airstrip serves as a hub for backcountry adventure, providing access to camping, mountain biking, and rafting on the Nizina and Chitina river system. Visitors can also enjoy short hikes in the surrounding forest, which bursts with wildflowers in late summer. Two National Park Service public-use cabins are available near the strip on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations, no fees), including the May Creek Cabin, a small squared-timber structure sleeping up to three with a wood stove, bunks, and an outdoor pit toilet. Campers should bring their own gear in case the cabin is occupied, along with food, bedding, and supplies, since there's no running water or plumbing on site.
Notes & Warnings
The strip is turf, about 2,700 feet long, with public tie-downs available at the southeast end; CTAF is 122.9. Because it's frequently used as a staging area, pilots should watch for other traffic and users on the ground. As with many Alaska backcountry strips, brush encroachment on the approaches has been an ongoing maintenance concern, and head nets are strongly recommended in June through August due to heavy insect activity in the area.
History
May Creek Airstrip traces its origins to Alaska's mining era, developed between roughly 1910 and 1940 to support territorial mining activity in the surrounding Wrangell Mountains region. After mining operations wound down, the strip and its surrounding cabins were preserved as part of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, becoming a key access point for backcountry recreation rather than industry. In recent years, volunteer groups such as the Recreational Aviation Foundation and EAA Chapter 42 have partnered with the National Park Service on annual work parties to clear brush and maintain the runway approaches, helping keep this historic airstrip usable for the bush pilots and adventurers who rely on it today.
Runway
-
Length
3500
-
Width
60
Details
-
Facility ID
MYK
Location
61.336427, -142.686074
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