Scenic Wilderness Float Trip on the Nenana River from Denali - Oar Raft

Float the boundaries of Denali National Park on this 2 Hour trip! Enjoy the Alaskan splendor as we view the Yanert Fork River, Musher's Monument and Mount Fellows. Watch for a variety of wildlife while enjoying class II and mild class III rapids. Families with small children and the less adventurous will discover the joys of rafting.

Oar Rafts: Just sit, hold on and enjoy the Alaska raft ride! This Alaska raft adventure is a perfect introduction to whitewater rafting from "mild to wild" and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Your Alaska river guide will be seated in the middle of the raft operating the oars to navigate the whitewater. We are a family friendly excursion and invite all Alaska travelers ages 5 and older. Children must be big enough to fit into our smallest "smiley face" drysuit in order to raft in Alaska.

Two Alaskan glaciers are the source of whitewater adventure on the Nenana River bordering Denali National Park, Alaska. This glacier fed Alaskan river is known for swift current and exciting whitewater. Hosting nearly 50,000 adventure travelers each summer, this large volume whitewater river offers spectacular scenery as it traverses the Alaska Range and creates a natural eastern boundary for Denali National Park. From its glacial source, the Nenana offers several sections of road accessible river miles with adventure for all levels of ability.

Glacial Alaskan rivers need some special considerations when determining the level of difficulty. Technically, the river is rated class I through class IV, based on an international scale of I (moving, unobstructed current) through VI (extreme hazard). A variety of factors combine to result in a rivers final classification, including: difficulty of river features (i.e., rocks, hydraulics or holes, waves, etc.); water volume and speed; water temperature; difficulty of rescue. While the overall rating is most affected relative to water volume, higher river levels general increase the intensity of all other factors, in Alaska we must also consider "ambient temperatures" and "remoteness of location".

Glacial river water temperatures are obviously very cold. Of course, spring run-off in the Rocky Mountains is cold water but the air temperature is generally 80 degrees or above in the summer; whereas, average temperatures in Denali Park are commonly in the 50's and 60's. Additionally, the nearest primary care facility (hospital) is 2 hours drive away, in Fairbanks. This does not include evacuation time. Consequently, we cannot spare any precaution in the prevention of systemic injury, such as Hypothermia.

Drysuits:
Not a wetsuit! We provide every whitewater guest with the comfort and confidence of state-of-the-art river apparel with Kokatat and OS System drysuits! Glacial waters are unforgiving but with the proper outfitting you can make a splash and have fun in the water.

A "drysuit" is a technical piece of river apparel designed specifically for protection against cold-water immersion in a whitewater river. Features of the suit include latex gaskets at the neck and wrists, latex socks, a waterproof zipper and rain hood. In the event of a swim, the suit is designed to maintain "dryness," except head and hands. As well, the suit is cut ergonomically to allow for good range of motion for swimming.

Comfort, Confidence and Safety: Unlike a "wetsuit," the individual wears layers of clothing underneath the suit to insulate, making the suit far more comfortable and sanitary in a commercial use situation. On a warm day one layer of long sleeves, long pants and warm socks is adequate. In the event of colder temperatures, it is recommended to add layers, similar to snow skiing.

Latex Neck Seal	Latex Wrist Seal	Latex Sock & Neoprene River Bootie

Your protection is always our primary concern! No outfitter or guide can ever guarantee keeping guests out of the river. (Our guests jump in for fun and the novelty of a swim in a glacial fed river). All riverrunners are suited appropriately in a "Drysuit," Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD), triple-thick soled River Booties and Helmets (for paddlers).

MINIMUM AGE IS 5. Child rates apply to children ages 5 to 13. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-613-6039.