Nenana Raft Adventures

Favorite part of our Alaska trip! We originally planned to do both options… the paddling at level 2 – 3 and then another stent of paddling at level 4 – 5 …but changed our minds last minute as we were suiting up. The staff was eager to please and accommodated our request! So we did the ore trip on level 4 – 5! We got wet immediately and were laughing the entire time down the river. We had no clue we would get so wet! Soaked!!! But It was so thrilling! The guides are all so much fun and jokesters but still very professional. We felt safe the entire time! So much fun!!! A must do if you ever visit Denali!!! The water is from the glacier and has melted in the past 12 – 14 hours. It has silt in it which is a natural exfoliant. So we got a «glacial facial» while on this trip and our skin was glowing w radiance ;) it was an adventure and spa treatment all in one excursion ;)

First ever whitewater trip. I’ve been wanting to do the Kern for a couple of years, but with our drought, I’m gonna have to wait. The Nenana was at the top of my list of things I wanted to do on our two weeks in Denali.
We arrived and were sent to the back to get situated. We got our drysuits and our safety talk. This took about an hour because of the number of people.
Bus ride across the street and we got introduced to our guide who was a nice friendly girl up for her first summer as a guide. She was informative and knowledgeable. I would say the rapids were more class II and III, but we had a blast anyway. I wish the trip was longer than the 11 miles. I was wanting more.
When we were done, we were escorted to a covered deck with all our shoes and a place to get out of our drysuits. I guess one of my booties had a pin hole in it since my sock was slightly wet. They offered me a nice spruce tree to take a piss upon. The bus ride back was a unique experience. I think they need to get that bus serviced. It seemed like it wasn’t gonna make it and the last mile of the trip you could smell boiling coolant spewing from the radiator.
I can’t wait for my next whitewater adventure. You can’t really go wrong with this outfitter. Besides 5 grizzly sightings, this was a highlight of our trip.
Remember, you are in a drysuit, not a wetsuit. That means you can’t piss in it.

Awesome! We took the Denali Deluxe full day trip. The first half was a nice gentle float, watching the scenery go by. The second half got a little more intense — and wet!
The company provides you with a dry suit but be sure you dress WARM underneath, and wear a hat and gloves that you don’t mind getting wet. Remember: the water is under 40 degrees and was part of a glacier the previous day. There was some idiot on our raft wearing pajama pants and a tank top under his drysuit… not smart.
Have fun!

I don’t have anything to compare this trip to, since it was my first time rafting, but this was an awesome trip!
The service was exceptional. We were picked up at our hotel by the owner himself, who explained that a group of kids they get every year was late and so our trip would start late. It was not their fault, but he was very nice and apologetic and offered us complimentary food while we waited.
This company was the first in Alaska to offer drysuits for their customers. The suits can be baggy and uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as being soaked with 36º water. They are very helpful in ensuring everyone gets in their suit and bus you a short distance to the river. They give a full safety speech and we were very impressed with their attention to safety.
We finally set out on our paddle raft trip that went 11 miles on the Nenana River with class 3 & 4 rapids. Our guide was so awesome! He was energetic and clear with directions. We eased into the rapids and I had a great time rolling over the rapids and getting the occasional «glacial facial!»
It was my first time rafting and I had an amazing time! The service was exceptional, the guide was fun and knowledgeable, and the experience was one I won’t forget.