Here at Alaska Wildland Adventures, we prize our time spent on the waterways of Alaska, whether that’s a sparkling, swift-moving river, majestic glacier-fed lake or the expansive, wild Pacific Ocean. On the Kenai Peninsula, the Kenai River holds an extra special place in our heart: our Kenai Riverside Lodge is right on the banks of the Kenai in Cooper Landing, and we also raft and fish on the Kenai River’s turquoise blue waters.
One of our most popular rafting trips on the Kenai River is the Full-Day Kenai Canyon Raft trip. Filled with unspoiled Alaska wilderness, natural beauty, charismatic wildlife and a bit of adventure, this full-day exploration of the Kenai River is a wonderful way to experience a part of Alaska that most visitors don’t see.
Pushing off from the grounds of Kenai Riverside Lodge, we start with a scenic float along the non-motorized stretch of the upper Kenai River through Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. This stretch of the river is perfect for wildlife sightings; have your camera ready as we keep an eye out for moose, eagles, Dall sheep, salmon, waterfowl, beavers and bears as your guide navigates you through snow-capped mountain scenery. This is also a great chance to learn from your guide about Alaskan natural & cultural history, including information about the wildlife, stories about the native inhabitants and early settlers, and the forces of nature that shaped the Kenai River Valley.
After rafting at a leisurely pace on the upper river, our trips stop to enjoy a deluxe picnic lunch. This also allows for a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy the river from the banks for a bit.
After this stop, the River’s pace picks up a bit. Get ready to ride the spirited Class II+ rapids through the Kenai River Canyon! Class II means these are easy rapids with smaller waves and wide, clear channels. This level is fun, splashy and a little bit thrilling. We end our trip with a cruise along the wild and scenic shore of glacier-carved Skilak Lake in the heart of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
Alaska Wildland Adventures began operating trips in 1977, which included visits to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the Kenai River. Rafting trips on the Kenai were introduced soon after, and we’ve been proud to enjoy exploring at the River’s pace ever since. The Full-Day Kenai Canyon Raft Trip has been our most popular trip for over 30 years.
The Kenai Canyon Full-Day Raft Trip can be booked on a stand-alone basis as a day trip and is also included as the means of transportation from Kenai Riverside Lodge to remote Kenai Backcountry Lodge on many of our Adventures and Lodge-to-Lodge packages.