Alaska River Trips

Operating June 1st to August 20th

Experience Alaskaโ€™s Whitewater


WITH THE PIONEERS OF THE INDUSTRY

Take on the rush of Alaskaโ€™s untamed beauty with our expert-guided river trips. Whether navigating Class II rapids or feeling the thrill of Class V runs, we have trips tailored for every adventure level. From the lush rainforests of the Chugach to powerful glacial-fed waters of the Matanuska, our guides navigate you through some of Alaskaโ€™s wildest rivers. Offering both single-day and multi-day trips, we equip you with top-of-the-line gear and prioritize safety every step of the way. Get ready for an action-packed experience through Alaskaโ€™s most stunning and rugged landscapes.

Our River

Adventures

The NOVA Experience

Reasons to Choose Nova Alaska Guides for Your Adventure

Getting to Your River Trip

Location Information

Our river trips begin in two different locations. Please refer to your trips confirmation email after booking for additional location guidance.

Lionโ€™s Head & Midnight Sun Run river trips begin at Novaโ€™s office in Glacier View which is just 2 hours north of Anchorage.

Six Mile Creek river trips begin at Silvertip Station; a public parking area just off the Seward Highway about an hour and a half south of Anchorage.

Six Mile Creek Trips

Silvertip Station; a public rest area. Just off the Seward Highway on Hope Rd.

Matanuska River Trips

38100 W Glenn Highway, Glacier View, AK 99674

Our River Guides

Our guides are professional, personable, and passionate about their work. With extensive river guiding experience in Alaska, they prioritize safety and environmental protection. They educate clients, tailoring each trip to provide in-depth knowledge of the river while ensuring an unforgettable, safe and fun experience. Meet our team!

Preparing For Your River Trip

Frequently Asked Questions

Our whitewater guides are the best of the best, with years of prior whitewater guiding experience, usually on the toughest rivers in the lower 48, before coming to guide for us in Alaska.ย 

Six Mile Creek isย located about 1.5 hours south of Anchorage

Take the Seward Highway south towards Seward. Enjoy the views of this National Scenic Byway until mile maker 57 and the Hope Road intersection. It is a well-marked junction and the Hope Road only turns one-way.Turn onto the Hope Road, travel about 100 yards and turn into the first driveway (public rest area) on the right. The rest area is called Silvertip Station.ย 

The NOVA crew and vehicles will be there waiting for you.

The drive is aboutย 1 hour 30 minutes from Anchorage, 45 minutes from Girdwood, 60 minutes from Seward, 90 minutes from Soldotna.

Check in for Lions Head and Midnight Sun Run isย at our Hicks Creek Facility located about 2ย  hours North of Anchorage

38100 West Glenn Hwy Glacier View, Alaska

Take the Glenn Hwy (Hwy #1) and head north from Anchorage; youโ€™ll be traveling on the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway all the way to Hicks Creek. About 1 hour out Anchorage you will take the overpass to Palmer and continue on the Glenn Hwy (Hwy #1) east through Palmer then Sutton and Chickaloon before arriving at Hicks Creek; Mile 96 of the Glenn Hwy.
Watch for the NOVA sign on left at Trailhead Rd. after crossing the Hicks Creek Bridge; take that left and follow the NOVA driveway underneath the highway bridge to the main building for check-in.ย 

Dress Warm! We will provide a drysuit to keep the cold water out, but you will need to insulate under that! We recommend wearing a warm base layer top and bottom, fleece or wool is great. Wear warm socks as well!ย 
We recommend bringing a change of clothes for after your river trip. Even with brand-new drysuits, a bit of water can get in.

In Alaska, river conditions can change dramatically due to fluctuating water levels. Unlike dam-controlled rivers, natural, free-flowing waterways are highly variable and can significantly affect the intensity and safety of trips. High water levels are more serious than low water, potentially increasing the difficulty of Class IV river sections to Class V conditions.

To maintain safety, Nova uses strict water-level cutoffs and may make necessary adjustments such as changing boat types, group sizes, or even canceling trips. Our guides monitor USGS gauges daily and are authorized to make on-the-spot safety decisions, including trip denial.

Environmental conditions may also impact the length of your trip. If a trip is canceled due to unsafe conditions, guests will receive a full refund or may reschedule.

Boat Load Guidelines:

High Water: Max 5 people per boat

Low Water: Max 4 people per boat

Ideal Group Size: 4โ€“5 people (to fill your own boat)

Smaller groups may be combined with consent

All trips involve active participation, and oar-assisted boats are used in high water for enhanced control.

Still Have Questions?

Reviews from Real Adventurers

Two Adventures Are Better Than One!

Combine Multiple Adventures & Save 10%

Valid on Any Combination of Matanuska Glacier Tours & River Trips

To receive your 10% discount, simply add a second trip from the options below the checkout cart, and the discount will be applied automatically!