Cantwell is a small community located at the crossroads of the Parks and Denali Highways, nestled in the wide-open expanse of Broad Pass in the Alaska Range. The town was named after Lieutenant J.C. Cantwell, commander of the steamer Corwin on the Yukon River in the early 1900s. Long before that, the area was inhabited by Athabaskan Alaska Natives whose presence still shapes the region’s character today.

Originally a flag stop along the Alaska Railroad in the 1920s, Cantwell helped supply the nearby Valdez Creek mining operations. It remains a stopover for travelers heading north to Denali National Park or south toward Anchorage. While the town is often passed through quickly, it holds its own appeal for those who pause to explore.

Cantwell is known for its peaceful scenery, local wind that always seems to whistle through the mountains, and proximity to nature without the bustle of nearby tourist hubs. One quirky roadside landmark is the abandoned Igloo Hotel—a domed structure that’s a memorable sight along the Parks Highway.

Visitors come here to enjoy easy access to hiking trails, wildlife photography, fishing, and berry picking in late summer. With fewer crowds than Denali but just as much wilderness beauty, Cantwell offers an authentic slice of life in interior Alaska.