Talkeetna River Guides

Talkeetna River Guides has offered expertly guided rafting day trips for over 20 years. Float through the remote wilderness of Denali State Park, just a stone's throw away from Denali National Park's wild south side, with breathtaking views of glacial moraines, boulder fields, granite canyons, and sparkling hematite beaches. Wildlife abounds in this spectacular country, and it's quite common to see eagles, bears, fox, wolf, lynx, beavers, and moose, as well as many species of birds and fish.

Talkeetna River Tour

The two-hour Talkeetna River Natural History Float Trip explores the lower Talkeetna, a glacier-fed waterway steeped in pioneer history. The launch point is just 10 minutes from Talkeetna, perfect for visitors staying in town. You’ll participate in a safety briefing before launching and floating six to eight miles. Your guides are versed in describing the flora, fauna, and scenery along the way. You’ll stop to visit two active bald eagles' nests, see beaver dams, and look for bear tracks —all before joining the mighty Susitna River for the loop back to Talkeetna. On clear days, the Susitna offers a stunning view of Denali (Mt. McKinley) and the entire Alaska Range, and there’ll be plenty of opportunities to take photos.

For a small additional fee, you can opt to have a professional photographer take pictures of you, the raft, and your guide. There are three departures per day, or an exclusive 8am departure for guests that want to book a private tour.

Chulitna River Tour

On this four-hour tour, you’ll raft down 19 miles of river, through pristine wildlands of Denali State Park (and the borderlands of Denali National Park) towards Talkeetna, taking in scenery most folks only read about or see on TV. Denali (Mt. McKinley) and the entire Alaska Range provide a spectacular backdrop throughout the tour. On clear days, the photo opportunities are unparalleled. This remote portion of the river is the prime bald eagle, bear, salmon, and moose habitat.

For a small additional fee, you can opt to have a professional photographer take pictures of you, the raft, and your guide. Transportation is provided to the launch point which is mile 133 of the George Parks Highway. This is a favorite trip for guests staying at the McKinley Princess Lodge, just 5 minutes from the launch point.

Multi-Day Trips

Talkeetna River Guides offers overnight and multi-day float trips available for visitors craving even more time in Alaska’s wilderness. Trips include transportation to the launch site, meals, and camping equipment. Floats include the Chulitna (2 days 1 night), East Fork of the Chulitna (3 days, 3 nights), and Clear Creek (4 days, 3 nights). Wildlife sightings are common on these trips. Be on the lookout for bears, moose, porcupine, wolves, eagles, and foxes.