Nenana River

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Nenana River
"Alaska's Most Popular Rafting Trip"

Because of the Nenana's close proximity to Denali National Park and its many tourists, this river is the most rafted river in the state of Alaska. The Nenana River is a 'Big Water' class IV run. It has easy in and out road access that also accounts for its popularity. The best whitewater section of the Nenana is the 'Canyon' run. This section begins below the entrance to Denali National Park and ends in the town of Healy, a total of eleven miles. Rapids such as Iceworm, Twin Rock Rapid, Cable Car, and Boxcar await those who challenge this river.

River levels, 10.6 feet (9,080 cfs) is low water, between 10.7 - 12.1 feet (9,470 -
16,000 cfs) is medium water and 12.2 ft (16,500 cfs) and higher is high water. Commercial operations are canceled at 13.6 ft (25,200 cfs), if not sooner. These stages are as measured at the Healy bridge take-out. The following are the Alaska River Forecast Center levels: 8.5 Low, 10.0 Medium, 11.5 High.

Nenanan River - Raft Flip?
Photo and following story by Benji Johnson

"The photo was taken by me at Cable Car Rapid back in 1986 at an upper medium river level range. The guide had gotten himself into a large wave train and then been slapped sideways by a very large breaking wave. Following this he proceeded to be side-surfed in his 18 foot raft for about 20 seconds. Unfortunately he allowed his upstream oar to catch the water and he was immediately leveraged into the position that you see in the photo. Just before going vertical the oar came loose and the boat came down upright. If you look very close on the upstream edge of the raft you can see a spot of yellow falling into the river."

Nenana River Photo
Photo and following story by Benji Johnson