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Mile 59, McCarthy Rd, McCarthy, AK 99588

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The Copper River in Alaska - McCarthy River Tours

Multi-Day Alaska Rafting Trips

Premier River Camping Trips in Alaska's Wilderness - Copper, Tana, Chitina Rivers, & More

Multi-Day Alaska Rafting Trips

Experience True Wilderness on Alaska Rafting Trips That Go Beyond the Ordinary

Deep in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, our multi-day Alaska rafting trips offer experiences that day trips simply can’t match. Imagine drifting off to sleep in your riverside tent as glacial waters whisper past your camp. Above, the midnight sun paints surrounding peaks in alpenglow while a distant wolf howl echoes through the valley. This isn’t just another rafting trip – it’s complete immersion in North America’s most dramatic wilderness.

Alaska Rafting Trips That Define Adventure

Each day brings new wonders on our multi-day expeditions. Watch brown bears fish in crystal-clear streams, witness massive glaciers calve into rivers, and float through valleys so vast they defy description. From the chocolate-brown waters of the Nizina to the braided channels of the Chitina, every river tells its own story.

The McCarthy River Tours Difference

In the Alaskan wilderness, details matter. While others focus on numbers, we focus on moments – the perfect morning light on glacier ice, the thrill of discovering a hidden waterfall, the stories shared around evening campfires. Our commitment to intimate group sizes (never more than 10 guests) and the lowest guide-to-guest ratio in the Wrangells means your experience isn’t just personalized – it’s truly yours.

This dedication to individualized experience shows in every aspect of our operations:

  • Only outfitter providing professional dry suits to every guest
  • Smallest multi-day groups (maximum 10 guests) for true wilderness immersion
  • Industry-leading guide-to-guest ratio
  • Most experienced guide team in the Wrangells
  • Pioneer of backcountry river routes in Wrangel St Elias National Park
  • Local expertise that runs as deep as the rivers we navigate

Your Alaskan adventure shouldn’t be a cookie-cutter experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, seeking specific photography opportunities, or simply wanting to connect deeply with this remarkable landscape, we take the time to understand your goals and craft each journey accordingly. Our veteran guides don’t just lead trips – they create experiences that resonate with your personal sense of adventure.

Backcountry Dining Redefined

Our Alaska rafting trips are famous for more than just spectacular scenery. Our guides are as skilled in outdoor cuisine as they are in river navigation. Each meal is a celebration of fresh, local ingredients transformed into memorable dishes:

  • Fresh-baked Dutch oven entrees and desserts
  • Local Alaskan salmon and meats
  • Organic produce from Copper Valley farms when in season
  • Gourmet coffee to start your day
  • Dietary accommodations that never compromise on flavor

Comfort in the Wild

We believe comfort enhances your wilderness experience. Our river camps feature:

  • Top quality sleeping kit including comfortable sleeping bag. liner, pillow & pad
  • Spacious tents positioned for optimal views
  • Fire side dining for all-weather comfort
  • Professional-grade camp kitchen
  • Hot drinks always available
  • Comfortable camp chairs for relaxing

Choose Your Alaska Rafting Trip

From 3-day adventures to epic 14-day expeditions, each journey offers its own magic:

Make the most of your journey to McCarthy. Combine your rafting expedition with a stay at one of our recommended lodging options for the complete Alaska experience.

The Northern Lights - McCarthy River Tours

Copper River Rafting Expeditions - 7 Days

As far as scenic Alaska river trips, Copper River Rafting is truly second to none! As we float, mountains rise around us and the river tumbles toward the ocean. Glaciers began to make their way closer to the river. The glacial scenery culminates with the Childs and Miles Glaciers which simultaneously meet us at river level towards the end of our trip. The most reliable wildlife views of eagles, bears, salmon, and seals. Two glaciers come directly to the water level.
7 days
10+
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The Tana River Expedition with McCarthy River Tours

Tana River Rafting Expeditions – 4 & 6 Days

The Tana features some of Alaska’s finest remote, class 4-5, big volume whitewater. This is the ultimate bucket list Alaska river trip for the intrepid adventurer! Starting with a bush plane drop-off downstream of the Tana Glacier, the Tana River rumbles its way down towards the ocean. We’ll begin our trip by exploring the surroundings of this beautiful and unique area. The first day on the river is fairly mellow with some smaller rapids getting us ready for the power ahead. On day two the sheer power of the river meets us, enjoy the ride as your guide expertly rows you thru the big waves or if you like, we’ll bring a paddle boat along and you can enjoy the ride while digging your paddle into some of Alaska’s premier whitewater.
4 & 6 days
18+
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McCarthy River Tours - Group of rafters in the Alaskan frontier

Chitina River Rafting Expeditions - 5 & 8 Days

A Chitina River trip is your chance to follow one of the great waterways of Alaska in its entirety. Starting with an unbelievably scenic bush plane flight from the airstrip in McCarthy, our journey begins just downstream from the terminus of the Chitina Glacier. With massive Mount Logan framing the backdrop just across the Canadian border, we will be ready to launch onto one of the greatest wild Alaska river adventures that Wrangell St. Elias National Park has to offer. A remote, wild, and untamed stretch of river, we often do not see another soul for the entirety of our journey. A Chitina River Expedition is an adventure seeker's dream!
5 & 8 Days
14+
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The Upper Nizina River - McCarthy River Tours

Nizina River Rafting Expeditions - 4 & 6 Days

Fly out to a classic Alaska river! The trip begins with a bush plane flight from McCarthy & drop-off at Nizina & the terminus of the mighty Nizina Glacier. Spending the first day of the trip at Nizina lake allows for exploration of this recently glaciating area. Miles of the wide-open country make this the ideal trip for hiking exploration of the river. Our river journey begins by negotiating icebergs in the lake, winding our way to the mouth of the Nizina River. Unrivaled beauty surrounds us as the river tumbles downstream. Class II and III whitewater make this a ‘must do’ Alaska river adventure.
4 & 6 Day
10+
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The Rivers To Riches Trip - McCarthy River Tours

Rivers to Riches Rafting Expeditions - 3 & 4 Days

The perfect introduction to the amazing world of Alaska wilderness! Our raft trip begins in the small town of McCarthy, just downstream from the Kennicott Glacier. As the Kennicott River leaves the lake at the toe of the glacier it picks up speed as it moves along its unstoppable course towards the ocean. The fast current of the Kennicott River flowing over the shallow gravel shoals of glacier remnants is fun and splashy, providing some high excitement as we negotiate its six-mile course towards the Nizina River. After we merge with the Nizina, the river becomes broader with large rolling waves for the next few miles.
3 & 4 Days
8+
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Costa Rica Raft Excursion with McCarthy River Tours

Costa Rica Rafting - 8 Days / 7 Nights

Explore the beauty and enjoy the adventures the land of Costa Rica can offer through an amazing and well-crafted adventure. Our staff will surely make everything be of your liking and make sure you enjoy all the experiences you can do here. Whether it will be rafting, doing sup, yoga, or simply enjoying the scenery. We're sure your trip will be one you won't forget.
8 days
12+
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Kennicott Lodge Cabins and Grounds - McCarthy River Tours

McCarthy Lodging Options 

 Getting to McCarthy is a journey in and of itself, why not have a place to chill once you’re here? Combine your Alaskan Adventure with one of our amazing McCarthy, Alaska, lodging options.