Best Whitewater Rafting Near Anchorage, Alaska
Whitewater rafting is one of the most adrenaline pumping, fun experiences you and your whole family can have while visiting Alaska! It’s a beautiful, popular way to enjoy wild Alaskan landscapes while surfing some waves and hitting rapids.
Did you know much of Alaska was originally mapped out though rafting trips? With so many rivers in the state, it’s a great way to explore. Be sure to plan a river trip for your vacation! There are lots of options nearby Anchorage that are perfect for any adventurer.
Preparing for Your Alaska River Adventure
The best way that you can prepare for your whitewater rafting trip is by bringing the right layers to go underneath the provided drysuit. While you may be visiting in the summertime to go rafting, the rivers of Alaska are very cold due to glacier melt. Layers are crucial to staying warm during your rafting trip, and will come in handy during your vacation in general.
We recommend that you dress in multiple layers of warm, thin clothing. While your dry suit will keep you as dry as it possibly can, you’ll need to insulate underneath it!
Pro tip: don’t let your layers be too tight on you or you’ll just lose heat.
We recommend you bring:
We recommend you leave these in the car:
Which whitewater rafting trip you choose and the weather for the day may affect what layers you choose. Bring what layers you have along – your guides can help you make a decision on how many layers to wear before your trip.
Choosing Which Trip is Best For Your Group
Your group has a few trip options to choose from. Whitewater rafting in Alaska requires no prior experience, but some trips may be better suited for your group than others. Here are a few things to think about:
Whitewater rafting tours are great for kids that are 12+. If you have younger kids you should consider a glacier adventure!
The Best Whitewater Rafting Tours Close to Anchorage
Six Mile Creek – Alaska’s Ultimate Whitewater Adventure
Raft Six Mile Creek with NOVA Alaska Guides – the original pioneers of this river run. Back in 1985, NOVA first started running trips through the stunning canyons. These three canyons have the most beautiful turquoise water rushing through them!
Six Mile should be on every adventure junkie’s bucket list! This spot is perfect for both new and seasoned rafters. You’ll get to choose between rafting 2 or 3 canyons.
The 2 canyon tour is Class IV and has a 12 year age minimum, while the 3 canyon tour is Class V and has a 16 year age minimum. 3 canyon includes back to back rapids that become more challenging as you go on. This is the only Class V river run in the state!
Six Mile Creek is the ultimate rafting adventure. Hit adrenaline pumping rapids, navigate through steep drops and narrow routes, and enjoy the turquoise blue water and impressive canyon walls as you head downstream. We recommend that you are ready to get wet, are a good swimmer, and in good physical shape for this adventure.
To raft Six Mile you’ll drive to Hope, Alaska just 1.5 hours from Anchorage. Meet up with your guides, get geared up and safety briefed, and then complete a swim test to start your adventure. It’s going to be the most memorable whitewater of your life!
Matanuska River – Lions Head is the Best Whitewater Day Trip in Alaska
Make the 2.5 hour scenic drive from Anchorage to Glacier View for an unforgettable whitewater trip. Head to NOVA to meet your guides and gear up before heading to the put in for this family friendly adventure! Rafting Lions Head on the Matanuska River will offer incredible views and exciting rapids! NOVA is the only operator on the river so you can have a more private experience as you raft downstream.
See where the river meets glacier melt, look for wildlife along the way, and stare up at the iconic Lions Head from your raft. This prominent feature was once a volcanic plug, left behind as the Matanuska Glacier retreated into the valley it now calls home.
Enjoy the scenery, smile big for our photographer, and make memories with your group as you raft this powerful river. There’s nothing quite like it in all of Alaska!
The Talkeetna River – Multi Night Whitewater Adventure
If you are looking for a multi-day, whitewater experience, then rafting the Talkeetna River is perfect for you and your group! This private 3 day trip will take you through exciting rapids, stretches of scenic waterway, and the longest stretch of class IV in North America!
Along with rafting, you also get to fly in a bush plane to start your trip! On your flight you’ll get to see wildlife and beautiful landscapes. Set camp in some pretty remote places. All camping gear and meals are included so that you can just enjoy hitting the rapids and taking in the views. All you have to do is get yourself to the Talkeetna Airport, 2 hours from Anchorage.
Denali Whitewater Rafting – Raft the Nenana River
The Nenana River in Healy is a great way to experience exciting whitewater when visiting Denali National Park. Maybe you’re already planning on visiting Denali, or you want to make the 4 hour drive from Anchorage to go experience the Nenana River and take a chance at seeing Denali!
While you won’t see Denali from the river since you raft through a deep canyon, you can explore and find more scenic views after your rafting trip. The Nenana is regarded for its huge rapids, steep canyon walls, and float sections between the whitewater excitement.
See You On the River!
Whitewater rafting in Alaska should be on your trip itinerary! Come explore Alaska from one of its many rivers and experience a classic mode of travel turned into an exhilarating adventure.
Your group can choose from one of these beautiful trips to get out on the river and have some fun!
