Where to Start Rafting in Alaska

From Alaska Outdoors Wiki

Alaska is a big place and it is full of rivers. There is no shortage of places to go or rivers to explore. However, it is probably advisable to tag along with other boaters for your first few trips off the beaten path. It’s also a good idea to start off with short trips that are easy to get to. For most of us that means something close to the road system. That is more limiting, but there are still plenty of options.

Kenai River is easy to get to and easy to float. That doesn’t mean you should be careless, because even easy rivers are potentially dangerous if you don’t pay attention. The usual put in is under the south end of the bridge at the end of Kenai Lake. From Anchorage, cross the bridge and take the first right to get into the parking lot and boat ramp. This is likely to be a crowded area, so get your boat unloaded and out of the way, and then park your vehicle. The take out is most commonly at Jim’s Landing, a few miles below the Russian River Ferry crossing. Look for Skilak Lake road and turn left. Then quickly take another left about 50 yards off the highway. The take out is at the end of the short road. Parking is limited, and there is a fee to access both areas.

The river is an easy class I-II for several miles. Fisherman’s Bend and Schooner bend are the only real rapids and they are both rated at class II. Nothing that should terrorize a rafter. This section takes about 3-4 hours of rafting, but usually far longer because of all the fishing stops. After Jim’s Landing there are several class II+ spots that are kind of fun, but this ends at Skilak Lake, at which time there is an 8 mile row to the take out at Upper Skilak Lake Campground. Take a small outboard to make this easier. The area right at the end of the river as it flows into the lake is often a great area to fish.

Eagle River near Anchorage has several section s for rafters. Starting at mile 7.2 on Eagle River Road, there is a state maintained parking lot and river access to the North Fork. The first mile or so is pretty low water, so some boat dragging may be called for. After you join the main stream or Eagle River there will be plenty of water. This is all class I until you get passed Briggs Bridge (Eagle River Loop Road) so plan on taking out there. There is a state parking lot and river access on river left right upstream from the bridge. The access road to get tot he parking lot is right before the bridge as you are heading towards the town of Eagle River. This stretch of the river can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours depending on the river flow.

This same Briggs Bridge parking lot is also the put in for the Campground Rapids run. This section is a solid class III+ at one point. Some safety paranoid types call this a class IV section, but most experienced boaters don’t buy it. It starts off easy, and gradually picks up pace as the river starts dropping quicker. Right near the bottom, while running in front of Eagle River Campground, the river makes an S bend while dropping perhaps 15-20’ overall. The usual route is to far river right, and the chicken route is on far river left. Don’t go through the middle. Generally there is not enough water to get through the middle and you will just get hung up on some ragged rocks, but if there is enough water to get through you life will get worse before it gets better. But the good news is there are usually plenty of spectators to watch you get scrapped. Just don’t expect them to help. Take out is on river left shortly after the rapid, and access is through the campground. This section takes about 30 minutes to an hour to get through.

You can also put in here or continue down through Ft Richardson, but you have to get a permit first. They are available free at the main Ft Rich gate and are good for two years, but all the adult boater need to have their own. The river is class II-III from here to Bravo Bridge, but there is nothing as interesting as Campground Rapids in this section. Take out is just above Bravo Bridge on river left. Ask the nice people at the gate for instructions on how to drive your shuttle vehicle there. Figure on 2-3 hours to do this section.

Chulitna River is a 3-4 day trip that starts in Broad Pass, about 200 miles north of Anchorage. The put in is on the East Fork, a small clear water stream that meets up with the middle fork a few miles down stream. Several other rivers are added to the mix as the river gradually becomes a large silty glacial river. The river alternates between several canyons and braided sections. The scenery is great and the change in river conditions makes for an interesting and varied boating experience. The river is all class I-II unless the water is raging very high, and then perhaps it is class III with very large waves in several sections. Take out is at the bridge near the Denali Princess Lodge, or at Talkeetna, or at the Parks Highway bridge near Sunshine Creek.

Other places to go for good float trips in the area are Nelchina/Tazlina Rivers, Fortymile River, Gulkana River, Chitina River and Copper River. More info can be found at http://paddling.jimstrutz.com