Quick Details
See Wildlife on a Scenic River Rafting Tour
Enjoy some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities for moose, bald eagles, beavers, spawning Alaskan king salmon, and more Alaskan wilderness in Fairbanks on this 2-3h Chena River float trip.
Our wildlife viewing and scenic wilderness river float trips in Fairbanks are on Interior Alaska’s famous salmon and Arctic grayling river, the Chena River. This spectacular State Park area so close to Fairbanks offers you grandiose wilderness scenery and unique wildlife or salmon (spawning) viewing opportunity on a five-hour roundtrip from Fairbanks. You may observe Alaskan wildlife such as moose, bald eagles, beavers, king salmon, chum salmon, arctic grayling, martin, minks, bears, and waterfowl.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience for individuals as well as the entire family or a group of friends. A popular activity for all ages or skill levels!
The River
The Chena River has a run of King salmon (chinook) during July and Chum salmon in July/August/September. The head waters that we float, during the salmon run season provide an outstanding opportunity to see these migrating salmon spawn after their almost 1,000 mile journey up the wild Yukon and Tanana Rivers! Its something you will always remember!
The Chena River is a class 1-2 river that provides for a gentle relaxing float through the Chena- and White Mountains ranges. The Chena River State Recreation area is home to wildlife such as moose, beaver, bald & golden eagles, water fowl, and wolf. Also grizzly and black bears inhabit this country, though seldom seen.
We choose our float trips to be different on any given day, depending on current conditions and our local knowledge to guarantee you the best to date and safest experience available in Fairbanks. This can sometimes also include switching to the Chatanika River a very similar and intimate clear water river.
Tour Schedule: Our tour times include hotel pick ups/transportation (80miles round trip), boat handling, and outfitting you for this tour. You will be on the river for about 2-3h (depending on water flow rates). If you choose to drive yourself you meet us at 9am or 5pm and will be off the river at 11:30-12:30pm or 7:30-8:30pm (morning or evening tour respectively). For any more questions call our office at 1 800 819 0737.
-
- Transportation: Hotel pick-up and drop-off included (80mile round trip)!
- Guide/Boat captain (Raft)
- Rain boots
- Light lunch snack (salami & cheese snack/chips/bottled water)
- Safety equipment (life vest,…)
-
-
Guide gratuities
-
-
- Raincoat, hat, sunglasses, socks
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Extra snacks
-
BUY your FISHING LICENSE ONLINE here: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/Store/
OR you can also buy physical licenses at these stores (make sure to check for opening/holiday hours): Big Ray’s, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Frontier Outfitters, Walmart.
Online Purchase Instructions: Buying a fishing license online is a simple process: Each participating Angler 16 years or older in age, is required to carry a valid Alaskan fishing license with them while fishing (no exceptions). You will only need a 1 day (24h) sport fishing license. You do NOT need a king salmon stamp. Day licenses are $15. After buying your license online you receive an email from Alaska Fish and Game (ADFG) with the electronic (pdf) copy of your license. You can also still print out the license or you can simply save them on your phone. You will need to save the license in order to sign the license, but also to be able to still pull it up when you do not have cell/data reception in remote ice fishing locations. To save, either take a screenshot or save a copy to your “files” app on your phone. Bring a picture ID and the fishing license with you on the tour.
Licenses still need to be signed: To sign on your phone use the edit – pencil/draw function and sign using your fingertip. Only signed licenses with the accurate date & time (24h from start time of tour) are accepted.
Be aware: It is your responsibility to acquire and provide a valid Alaskan fishing license when asked by a guide, wild life trooper (game warden), park ranger, or any other legal authority. Failing to provide the fishing license can result in being denied participation in a tour, being fined, or denied the future ability to acquire a valid fishing license in Alaska.