Rafting In Alaska
On Wild and Scenic Rivers

Rafting in Alaska is an adventurous sport that many people enjoy. But in many rivers it's not a sport for novices, unless you are with an experienced Alaskan guide.



Besides expert skill, guides will generally provide you with protective clothing and other specialized items you need for such trips. Try one of these Alaska river guides if you are not ready to raft on your own.

The rivers are extremely cold here, so it's important to have the proper clothing and equipment - AND really know what you are doing when you are rafting in Alaska.

Suggested Emergency Gear for Alaskan river rafting trips include:

• first aid kit
• whistle
• signal mirror
• knife
• magnesium fire starter
• waterproof matches
• tightly sealed emergency rations

• waterproof topographic maps
• compass
• GPS
• two-way radio
• and/or personal ELT (Emergency Location Transmitter)

Wear a life jacket and if you are going to get pretty wet, wear a wetsuit.

Whether you go on a guided rafting trip or not, you will have the adventure of a lifetime. And it's not just the experience of taking the trip on a raft. You'll be floating through areas of unmatched beauty where it is just your small group and the wilds.

There is no sign of civilization for many, many miles. If you have never have experienced that before, you will be amazed at the peace and quiet you'll feel.

River water levels are usually high in May, making a perfect time for rafting in Alaska. Snows are starting to melt on the mountains, as it is warming up. High water levels can occur in mid-summer also if there are major rainstorms. Amazingly, summer temperatures in the northern interior of Alaska can be much warmer than southern coastal temperatures. So try some of these northern river floats.

Eastern Central Alaska River Floats for Rafting in Alaska:

Fortymile River Float - This river is the site of the first gold rush in Alaska. It has now been designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. The river has many forks that come together to finally flow into the Yukon River. Because of these various forks, it can be accessed from numerous locations along the Taylor Highway.

The first crossing of Fortymile River on the Taylor Highway, is at the West Fork Bridge. The next one is Mosquito Fork Bridge at Milepost 64. After that is the South Fork Bridge at Milepost 75. Then the Walker Fork Campground at Milepost 82.

Because of all the access points, you can make a short one-day trip or a long several week trip on this river. The rapids occur on the North Fork Sections and after it joins the main river section which flows into the Yukon. If you do float the river to the Yukon, you can continue your trip on the Yukon River and take out at the town of Eagle, which is at the end of the Taylor Highway.

Alaska USGS Maps: Eagle A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, B-6, C-3 Tanacross C-3, D-2, D-3, D-4

Yukon River Float - A very remote area for rafting in Alaska on Alaska's largest river, is in the Yukon-Charley National Preserve. This rafting float starts at the end of the Taylor Highway, in the town of Eagle. You can drive to Eagle or fly in, but bring all your supplies with you. You will have a fairly smooth float on the 158 miles (254.28 km) to the town of Circle. The river is very murky from glacial silt but flows only about 5 to 8 miles/hour. Most people take about 5 days for the trip.

Camping on sandbars is a way to keep as distant as possible from mosquitoes which are ever-present in Alaska's backwoods. However, you can stay at one of the 7 wilderness cabins along the river, if they are not already occupied. These are very rustic and are available on a first come, first serve, basis.

Cabin Coordinates-NO rental fee:

• Nation Bluff Cabin - N65º 12’ 12.32”, W141º 44’ 17.61”
• Glenn Creek Cabin - N65º 17’ 59.58”, W142º 05’ 23.65”
• Kandik Creek Cabin - W142º 05’ 23.65” (temporarily unavailable) substituted by Washington Creek Cabin which is about 1 mile off the Yukon River - N65°, 18' 41.5'', W142° 18' 57.4''
• Coal Creek Camp - Follow the 4 mile trail from Slaven’s Roadhouse to this historic mining campsite
• Slaven's Roadhouse - N65º 21’ 01.93”, W143º 07’ 12.01”
• Slaven's Cabin - about 100 yards from the Roadhouse along the upper trail to Coal Creek
• Smith Cabin - N65° 25' 38.76'', W143°, 33' 16.71''

Alaska USGS maps that cover the float trip from Eagle to Circle are Eagle D-1; Charley A-1, A-2, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, B-6, C-6, and D-6; and Circle C-1 and D-1. Set GPS at NAD 27 Alaska.

Central Alaska River Floats for Rafting in Alaska:

Gulkana River - This is a very popular river for rafting in Alaska and takes 3 to 4 days. Start at the BLM Paxson Lake Campground, Milepost 175 Richardson Highway. From the boat launch, row to the the river outlet at the southwest corner of the lake. This can take 3 to 4 hours. About 2-1/2 miles (4.02 km) of Class I to II rapids are at the beginning, then it joins the middle fork of the river. At about 18 miles (29.97 km) you may have to get out of the river and walk around Canyon Rapids. Below that you'll run into Class II to III rapids for about 8 miles (12.87 km). You may start meeting power boats about 10 miles (16.09 km) before the take-out point at the BLM Sourdough Creek Campground, which is at Milepost 147.3 Richardson Highway (River Mile 45.5).

Both the start and end point are along the Richardson Highway, with Paxson Lake being just south of the Denali Highway junction. Because this is a well-established rafting river, you are expected to use established campsites, bring portable toilets, firepans and as always, pack out all garbage. A boater's dump station is at the end point.

Pick up a complete brochure on this float trip from the BLM office in Glennallen. It gives you all the camping spots and other information for this rafting trip.

The above are just a few rivers for rafting in Alaska. Alaska river guides offer guided rafting trips on many other rivers, from very mild to the roughest of waters. Some are easy enough for very young children. Alaska Railroad tours have vacation packages that include some easy guided floating trips in the area of Portage Glacier at the south end of Turnagain Arm.

Northern Alaska River Floats for Rafting in Alaska:

Birch Creek Float - A National Wild and Scenic River managed by the BLM. This is a 110 river mile (177.02 river km), 7 to 10 day trip if you want to take your time. It is mostly a calm river, but you will run into Class II and III waters at times. Can be accessed from Steese Highway recreation sites at both ends.

Start your trip at Milepost 94 of the Steese Highway. There is a short trail to the Upper Birch Creek BLM Wayside where there is long-term parking. At path takes you to the river. The first 10 miles (16.09 km) of it is shallow and narrow with some deeper spots, but you may have to do a bit of walking. The next 70 miles (112.65 km) is deeper and wider and has 4 sets of rapids up to Class III. After that it flows into the Yukon Flats with some nice wide channels and slower-moving water. You can take-out at the Lower Birch Creek BLM Wayside at Milepost 140.5 Steese Highway, about 12 miles (19.31 km) past the town of Central.

If you want to add another 16 miles to your journey, you can take out at the Steese Highway Bridge, Milepost 147.2, but the land along this section is not public property.

Camp on gravel bars as there are no developed campsites.

USGS maps: Circle B-1, Circle B-2, Circle B-3, Circle B-4 and Circle C-1.

Beaver Creek Float - This very clear Class I river starts in the White Mountains Recreation Area, 50 miles (80.47 km) north of Fairbanks. It is nice and mild, yet beautifully scenic and wild.

The put-in point is at the Ophir Creek Campgrounds. That is reached by taking the Steese Highway from Fairbanks to Milepost 57, then turning left onto US Creek Road. Follow it to a stop, then turn left at the "T". You are now on Nome Creek Road which you can follow to the campgrounds at the end. This put-in point is where Nome Creek and Ophir Creek unite. These two soon join Beaver Creek and you'll be on your way.

This float can be a one week trip if you arrange an air taxi to pick you up at Victoria Creek. If you want to take up to three weeks to complete this rafting adventure and go a full 360 miles (579.36 km), follow it into the Yukon river and do the take-out at the Yukon River bridge on the Dalton Highway. This float is known, not only as the longest road to road float for rafting in Alaska, but for the whole US!

Other Alaskan Rivers for Rafting in Alaska:

You can go almost anyplace to go rafting in Alaska because there are rivers everywhere. Find some way back in the wilderness that nobody else is floating on. Just be sure you are in fairly level country so you won't have any unexpected surprises!

Or let an Alaska river guide show you some of the great rivers he knows about.

In addition to rafting in Alaska, many people also like to try canoeing or kayaking on rivers, for a little more adventure than they would have on a lake...

Return to Top of Rafting in Alaska Page

Return To Alaska Vacation Planning Page

Return To Tips for Backwoods Alaska Vacations Home Page