Alaska Rafting Tours

The focus of the 3.5-hour Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip is great views of the namesake glacier, which is 1.5 miles wide, 150 feet high, and the most famous part of the massive Juneau Icefield that even John Muir once raved about. Glide along the iceberg-studded lake and scope out the glacier, getting up-close views of hanging glaciers and towering peaks. Keep an eye out for birds nesting in the rocky cliffs, as well as otters, seals, black bears, and bald eagles.

Glide down the glacially fed Nenana River right outside Denali National Park and you'll see the Alaskan wilderness from a new perspective. Denali Outdoor Center’s trips let you go smooth and mild or rough and wild.

Just outside Denali National Park, the Nenana River offers a unique rafting experience: The river is big and icy cold, with glacially fed waters. But this rafting outfitter based near the Park Entrance offers a soul-warming experience on the river, which makes an excellent counterpart to a bus tour through the national park. Choose a quick 3 hour trip on mild water or splash through some rapids. Or opt for a longer excursion ranging from 5.5 - 9.5 hours. 

Experience the thrill of rushing rapids or a mild whitewater float through one of America’s great wilderness areas with rafting from Denali Park Village. Operating on two stretches of the Nenana River for nearly 30 years, this company’s guides not only know the area, but also are versed in its natural history.  Their guide safety training program is among the most extensive in Alaska.  Add to that a private riverside launch, a brand-new boathouse, complimentary shuttle buses, and it’s hard to find a safer, more fun river trip near the park.

Experience a scenic float along a glacial river. Just 90 minutes from Anchorage, the Matanuska Glacier is Alaska’s largest road-accessible glacier, and the water running underneath creates a river that’s perfect for rafting. You’ll float downstream for up to 2 hours, taking in the scenery along the way—mountains, river channels, hillsides, moraines—and looking out for wildlife. It’s fun for the whole family—anyone ages 5 and up can do this trip—and you’ll be going with one of Alaska’s most experienced tour companies.

If you’re new to whitewater rafting or experienced in shooting through rapids, Lion’s Head makes for an exciting whitewater rafting trip. You’ll spend 2.5 hours speeding down class II, III, and IV whitewater, either paddling yourself or hanging on as your guide steers the raft downstream. All the while, you’ll be passing through gorgeous wilderness—wide-open vistas with massive rock formations—where you’ll have the opportunity to look for wildlife like Dall sheep and bears. And you’ll be traveling with one of Alaska’s most experienced tour companies.

Float through the remote wilderness of Denali State Park with the company that has offered expertly guided rafting day trips for the past 16 years. You’ll get breathtaking views of glacial moraines, boulder fields, granite canyons, and sparkling hematite beaches. Wildlife abounds in this spectacular country, and it's quite common to see eagles, bears, fox, wolf, lynx, beavers, and moose, as well as many species of birds and fish. Choose a two-hour, four-hour, or full-day float trip.

Taking to the rivers is such an excellent way to explore Wrangell St. Elias National park, and this operator out of McCarthy offers day trips that let you embrace the wonders of the park in a comfortable, hands-on, way. Both day trips are four hours. One allows you to paddle around a glacial lake, relax, and take in the scenery. The other takes it up a notch by floating downriver through class 2 and 3 rapids after a brief paddle around the lake.

Experience the thrill of trying out a new sport: packrafting. Led by expert guides, you’ll leave from the town of Kennicott out to the Alaskan backcountry, then strap a raft to your back (it’s under 9 pounds) and set off on an interpretive walk down to a lake. Then unpack the raft and put in the water. You’ll learn how to use and maneuver these unique boats in Class I-II water, and even have the possibility of taking on some Class III rapids. Don’t miss this chance at a very unique opportunity.

Sprawling Wrangell-St. Elias National Park has huge mountains, North America’s largest concentration of glaciers, and thousands of rivers—but just two roads. That’s why taking to the local rivers is such an excellent way to explore the park: this operator out of McCarthy offers multi-day adventures that embrace the rugged wonders of the park, while keeping you comfortable enough so that you relax and enjoy it.

With bald eagles, bears, and gorgeous scenery, these tours out of Haines are soft adventure at their best: You don’t have to have any previous experience to enjoy these kayaking and rafting tours, but you’ll get the up-close experience of a veteran adventurer.

Alaska’s Portage Valley is the closest spot to Anchorage for learning about and seeing the dramatic beauty of its glaciers. Girdwood-based Chugach Adventures has designed an all-day, all-ages tour that combines the best this valley has to offer: wildlife, informative exhibits, a scenic river float, and a tasty salmon-bake – not to mention all the amazing views along the way.

Alaska River Adventures Kenai River rafting trips are some of its most popular and accessible excursions – and are a great value too. Full day trips showcase 19 miles of Alaska wild from Kenai Lake to Skilak Lake, giving plenty of time for spotting wildlife, historic spots and gorgeous views from all angles. When you have just a few hours, a scenic and serene 14-mile float of the Upper Kenai River provides a variety of sights, from historic Cooper Landing and the world famous Russian River combat fishing area, to spectacular views of the Kenai itself.

Six Mile Creek is one of the most famous—and most challenging—whitewater runs in the entire state of Alaska. Your heart will be pounding and your muscles burning as you paddle through rapids called “Big Rock Drop,” “Suckhole,” and “Let’s Make a Deal.”

Alaska Wildland Adventures pioneered floating the mellow, turquoise Kenai River and has operated continuously since 1977. Join them for a serene 2-hour float, or take on a 7-hour adventure, complete with fun Class II+ rapids and a cruise through a glacial lake. AWA's Kenai River Scenic Float Trip offers a nice introduction to the river, taking you along a stretch of the scenic Upper Kenai closed to motorized boats. Watch for wildlife as your guide navigates you through the mountain scenery of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

River floats offer an ever-changing view of Alaska’s scenery, with ample chances for spotting wildlife. Combine that with a view from on high and you’ve got the best of both worlds. Chugach Adventures has partnered with Alaska Alpine Air to design an amazing helicopter ride/river float combo.

Discover Alaska’s glaciers close-up on one of Chugach Adventures’ Spencer Lake tours.  Two popular options get you off the main roads and into the backcountry – by train and a raft or canoe. Your trip begins with a scenic ride on Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery train, which runs from Anchorage, Girdwood, and other pick-up points along the railbelt. Enjoy a beautiful ride down Turnagain Arm and the Placer River Valley and into remoter areas of Alaska that you can’t get to by car. Disembark at the Spencer Glacier Whistlestop, and gear up for an exploration of the iceberg-choked Spencer Lake and points beyond.

Take to the rivers of Copper Center on a mild float trip or an exciting trip filled with rapids. Choose your level of adventure. One option is a relaxing, scenic float trip through the Alaskan wilderness where you’ll look for bear, moose, and eagles. Or opt to take on Class II/III rapids with great views along the way.Your other option is a heart-pounding, 14-mile trip down Class IV whitewater. Either way, you’ll be led by experienced guides who will fill you in on the area’s history and wildlife as you cruise down the river.