Kenai River Rafting Trips
Scenic Floats On The Kenai River
Looking for a fun and relaxing way to experience the spectacular Upper Kenai River? Drifters Scenic Floats are the perfect way to get you off the road and onto the water! Our entertaining and knowledgeable rafting guides will navigate you down breathtaking stretches of river so you can spot wildlife and soak in the towering mountain views and famous baby blue waters of the Kenai.
Great activity for all ages
Private floats available
Experience Alaska from the river
Morning, afternoon, and evening floats daily
Mellow Class I and II rapids
All safety and splash gear provided
See scenery and wildlife from the river
2 Hour Trip
7 River Miles
This 2 hour scenic float on the Upper Kenai River covers 7 river miles with mountain peaks on either side and some mild Class I and II rapids. Keep your eyes open for wildlife at the riverbank, mountainsides and sky. We typically spot many eagles and eagle nests, dall sheep, waterfowl including mergansers, goldeneye, and harlequin ducks, and wading birds. Lucky rafters might see brown or black bears, moose, or beaver.
You’ll meet your guide at Drifters Lodge to be outfitted with splash gear and lifejackets (provided). The trip starts at our stairs down to the river and ends at Sportsman’s Landing boat launch. From there, we will shuttle you back to Drifters Lodge. You should wear very warm layers and bring a small snack and water if you wish. It’s always colder on the river!
3 Hour Trip
12 River Miles
This 3 hour scenic float on the Upper Kenai River covers 12 river miles with mountain peaks on either side and some mild Class I and II rapids. Keep your eyes open for wildlife at the riverbank, mountainsides and sky. We typically spot many eagles and eagle nests, dall sheep, waterfowl including mergansers, goldeneye, and harlequin ducks, and wading birds. Lucky rafters might see brown or black bears, moose, or beaver.
You’ll meet with your guide here at Drifters Lodge to be outfitted with splash gear and lifejackets (provided). The trip starts at our stairs down to the river and ends at Jim’s Landing boat launch. The last hour of the float takes you inside the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, giving you increased chances for wildlife sightings. From the take-out point, we will shuttle you back to Drifters Lodge. You should wear very warm layers and bring a small snack and water if you wish. It’s always colder on the river!
Full day Canyon Raft Trip
20 River Miles, plus a 2 Mile hike
On this incredible day trip, we float the entire upper Kenai River down to the inflow at Skilak Lake. This is the most pristine and protected section of the entire river, with much of the 20 mile float being inside the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Take in the famous turquoise waters of the Kenai, the peaks of the Chugach Mountains on either side, see anglers fishing at the combat banks near the confluence of the Russian and Kenai rivers, and feel the excitement of Class II and III rapids as you navigate the canyon.
Your guide will point out features like huge bald eagle nests perched on tall cottonwoods, dall sheep on the mountainsides, and backchannels braiding off the main channel. Keep a lookout for brown and black bears, moose, beavers, and plentiful waterfowl such as mergansers, loons, harlequin ducks and goldeneye. Enjoy the expansive views from the banks of Skilak Lake before a 2 mile hike on Hidden Creek Trail back to the shuttle vehicle. This hike has some gentle elevation gain and is considered easy-moderate
Here are a few of the things you can hope to see on any of our Kenai River floats
- Towering mountains on all sides of the glacially carved river valley
- Baby blue/turquoise river (the sunnier it is, the bluer the water gets!)
- Picturesque landscapes of the river, boreal forest, and Kenai Mountain range to frame it all
- Folks fishing for Rainbow trout
- If it’s the right time of year, salmon swimming up river to spawn
- Combat fisherman at the confluence of the Kenai and Russian rivers
- Bald Eagles cruising the river or perched near their nests
- Ducks! Adorable families of Common Mergansers, striking Goldeneye and Harlequin ducks, Loons and more are in the area
- Arctic Terns – aerial acrobats that have migrated 12,000 miles from Antarctica to breed
- Dall sheep or mountain goats on the surrounding mountains
- If you are lucky… we sometimes spot moose and/or bears along the banks of the Kenai River
Looking for a fun and relaxing way to experience the spectacular Upper Kenai River?
What We Provide
Life jackets. We have sizes for everyone including youth/toddler sizes
Splash gear. Rain jacket and rain pants, if you don't have your own.
Knee high rubber boots
Dry bag for extra layers, cameras, phones, etc.
All safety gear
What You Should Bring
Camera
Warm layered clothing. It’s 10-15 degrees cooler on the water
Snacks, beverages
Sunscreen & Sunglasses
Comfortable hiking shoes (canyon float only)
