Why Us

Hi, I’m Denise! I first came to McCarthy in 1993, and from the moment I arrived, I knew this was my favorite place on Earth. That first summer, I worked at the McCarthy Lodge doing a little bit of everything—housekeeping, bartending, serving meals, even unloading freight in the middle of the night. By the end of the season, I’d saved enough in tips to put a down payment on my Swift Creek property.

In 1995, I co-founded the much-loved Roadside Potatohead (aka The Potato), a tiny eatery at the end of the McCarthy Road. A few years later, I moved it across the Kennicott River into “downtown” McCarthy. I sold The Potato in 2004, and the current owners have since grown it from a humble food truck into the full-service restaurant you can still enjoy today.

While running The Potato, I built two cabins at Swift Creek for nightly rentals—one of the first West Side lodging options. After selling the restaurant, I spent several years living and working year-round in Homer. Missing McCarthy, I returned and expanded McCarthy Cabins by adding Bluff Cabin and Meadow Cabin. In 2022, I also opened Camp McCarthy—a cozy glamping spot on the banks of the Kennicott River.

Today, McCarthy Cabins and Camp McCarthy are run by me, amazing year-round resident Megan Rivard, and my two furry family members: Penny Peanut and Ohney. Together, we’re proud to offer warm, comfortable, and unique places to stay while you explore McCarthy and Kennicott.

Whether you’re here for adventure, relaxation, or a little bit of both—we’d love to share this special corner of Alaska with you.

Denise Jantz
Owner, McCarthy Cabins & Camp McCarthy