Alaska River Rafting Trips

Rafting Alaska’s rivers is about traveling through expansive wilderness and experiencing the landscape from the water. On rivers like the Tatshenshini River and Alsek River, trips combine calm sections of river with exciting rapids that generally range from Class II to Class IV. Conditions can change from day to day, and weather—especially rain—is part of the experience, adding variety to each trip rather than defining it. While the rafting itself is approachable for a wide range of guests, days on the river do involve time outdoors and a willingness to adapt to natural conditions. The overall experience is immersive and rewarding, offering a balance of adventure, scenery, and shared time on the water. For CRATE, Alaska trips are about spending meaningful time on the river in one of the most scenic and remote landscapes in North America.

The Tatshenshini River and Alsek River begin as smaller mountain rivers and gradually grow as they collect tributaries and glacial melt along the way. As the rivers move downstream, additional creeks and glacier-fed flows widen the river and increase its overall volume. After the Tatshenshini and Alsek join, the river is wide and steady, moving through broad valleys framed by glaciers and mountains. Water levels and character vary with weather and seasonal glacial melt, but the river’s width and volume increase consistently downstream. Much of the experience comes from traveling a broad glacial river with long views, shifting light, and constant proximity to ice, water, and mountains.

Traveling the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers means spending days in a broad, glaciated mountain landscape. The rivers move through wide valleys bordered by icefields, hanging glaciers, and steep mountain walls, with glaciers often visible from camp or the raft. The scenery shifts gradually as the river winds through changing terrain. Much of the experience comes from the scale of the landscape—wide river corridors, long views, and the presence of ice, rock, and water. The setting feels remote, open, and shaped by glaciers rather than confined by canyon walls.

The Tatshenshini–Alsek corridor supports a wide range of wildlife, and sightings are a natural part of traveling these rivers, though never guaranteed. Grizzly bears are commonly seen along gravel bars and riverbanks, particularly where salmon are present, and black bears may also be encountered. Moose are often spotted in side channels and wetlands, while mountain goats can sometimes be seen high on steep slopes above the river. Bald eagles are frequent along the river corridor, and wolves are occasionally observed moving through open valleys. Wolverines and lynx have also been occasionally seen on our Alaska rafting trips. Wildlife encounters tend to feel incidental and unforced, part of moving quietly through a functioning wilderness.

All Alaska rafting trips meet in Haines, Alaska, specifically at our warehouse located in the historic Fort William H. Seward area of town.

Most guests fly on commercial airlines—typically Alaska Airlines or Delta Air Lines—into Juneau. From Juneau, travelers continue to Haines, Alaska either by a short regional flight or by ferry via the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Pre-trip meeting

We meet the evening before the trip at our warehouse in Haines, Alaska for the pre-trip orientation, final logistics review, and gear preparation.

Travel to the river put-in

On the morning the trip begins, we depart by vehicle from Haines, Alaska and drive to the expedition launch point:

• Tatshenshini River trips put in at Dalton Post
• Alsek River trips put in at Serpentine Creek, on the Kaskawulsh River

All ground transportation from Haines, Alaska to the river is arranged by us.

End-of-trip travel

At the conclusion of the rafting expedition, guests fly by small aircraft from Dry Bay to Yakutat. From Yakutat, guests board a commercial jet to Juneau, where most trips conclude.

All charter flights and transfers associated with the trip—from Haines, Alaska to the river and from Dry Bay back to Juneau—are coordinated as part of the expedition.

Before the trip, guests should plan to stay in Haines. A variety of accommodations are available, ranging from simple motels to comfortable local inns. Common choices include Aspen Suites Hotel, Captain’s Choice Motel, and the Halsingland Hotel.

We recommend arriving in Haines, Alaska the evening before your trip begins. That evening we hold the pre-trip orientation at our warehouse, where guests are fitted with drysuits, review trip logistics, and have time to ask questions about the expedition, including camping gear, personal gear, and what to expect on the river

Our Alaska rafting trips are led by experienced river guides who have been running multi-day expeditions for many years. They know these rivers well and focus on leading smooth, well-run trips in remote settings.

We use expedition-grade rafts and equipment suited for cold, glacial rivers. Drysuits are provided for certain sections of the river, along with appropriate river gear. River travel requires flexibility, and our guides draw on long experience to lead thoughtful, well-run trips.

Yes. Many guests join our Alaska trips without prior rafting experience. What matters most is a willingness to be outdoors and take part in a shared expedition. Alaska is a dynamic place—rivers shift, weather changes, glaciers shape the landscape in real time—and traveling through it by raft offers a rare way to experience that firsthand. Many guests later describe these trips as among their very best memories.

Yes, for families with a sense of adventure. The minimum age for these trips is 14. For families, the experience is about shared days on the river, evenings in camp, and time together away from everyday routines. Many families say these trips become among their very best memories, talked about long after they return home.

Alaska’s glaciers and river systems are changing, and the landscapes we travel through today will not look the same forever. For many guests, that’s part of the reason to go now—to experience these rivers, valleys, and icefields while they can still be seen and felt in this way.

We schedule our Alaska rafting trips during the summer months, typically from late June through August, when conditions are best for multi-day river travel. Trip timing is chosen carefully based on long experience on these rivers, with the goal of offering the best overall river conditions and the most complete Alaska experience.

You’ll need to bring clothing suitable for variable weather conditions. Recommended gear includes lightweight, quick-drying layers, waterproof gear, sturdy shoes (like rubber boots or hiking boots), and sun protection. A packing list with detailed items will be provided, but make sure to bring essentials like a camera, sunscreen, and any personal medications.