Tana River Rafting Alaska
4, 6 or 12-Day Expeditions
- Trip Length: 4, 6 or 12 days
- Season: June through August
- Age Requirements: 18+
- 2026 Trips: July 7 and August 7 (custom dates available)
- Difficulty: Challenging (Class IV rapids)
- Group Size: Capped at 10 guests, best guide to guest ratio in Alaska
Where Mountains Meet Whitewater
Picture this: You’re standing in a raft, surrounded by peaks that scrape 16,000 feet into the Alaskan sky. The Tana River churns beneath you—powerful, wild, and utterly magnificent. This is Alaska whitewater rafting at its most raw and beautiful.
Our Tana River expeditions offer what serious rafters dream about: technical Class IV rapids threading through Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, North America’s largest wilderness. For 4 or 6 days, you’ll navigate Alaska’s premier whitewater adventure through landscapes so remote, the only way in is by bush plane.
The Real Deal: Remote Alaska Rafting
Let’s be honest—this isn’t a float trip. The Tana serves up big Alaska whitewater rafting conditions with waves that’ll make your heart skip. As the outfitter with the most experience on this river, we’ve spent years learning every eddy, every wave train, every moment where the Tana shows its teeth.
Our guides? They’re not just certified—they’re Tana specialists. Each one holds Swiftwater Rescue and Wilderness First Responder certifications, but more importantly, they know this river intimately. They know where the salmon spawn, which peaks catch the alpenglow, and exactly how to read the water when it’s running high.
Gear That Matches the Challenge
Rafting Alaska class IV demands respect and professional equipment. Every person gets:
- A full drysuit (because glacial water is cold)
- Professional safety gear designed for technical whitewater
- Comprehensive training before we even see the Tana
Here’s what sets us apart: Before launching on the Tana River, you’ll complete safety training on the nearby Kennicott River. By the time you’re navigating those big rapids, you’ll know exactly what you’re doing—and why.
Why Raft the Tana with Us?
Expert Guides in Epic Wilderness
Our team lives for this river. Their expertise turns challenging into exhilarating.
Class IV Rapids That Rival the Grand Canyon
Same scale, same intensity—Alaska style with mountain views.
Bush Plane Access
The adventure begins the moment you lift off into pristine wilderness.
Tana River Sand Dunes & 16,000-Foot Peaks
Geology meets glaciology in views you won’t find anywhere else.
Trip Details: What the River Has in Store
Your expedition starts with a flight you’ll never forget—banking over glaciers in a bush plane, watching the wilderness unfold below. The first day and a half? Consider it your warm-up. The water’s mellower here, which means time to explore the Tana River Sand Dunes, a geological wonder that feels almost extraterrestrial.
Then the river wakes up.
As you push deeper into the canyon, the Tana gains momentum and shows you what Wrangell St. Elias whitewater rafting is all about. Massive standing waves. Technical drops between towering rock walls. Rapids that demand every bit of skill you’ve got. This is Alaska whitewater at its finest—and it’s why experienced rafters keep coming back.
Duration:
4, 6 or 12 Days
Gourmet Meals:
included
Age Requirement:
18+
Difficulty Level: For Experienced Rafters
This Alaska rafting trip is for experienced rafters. This expedition requires previous whitewater experience. If you’ve run challenging rivers before and want to push your limits in one of the planet’s most spectacular settings, welcome home.
2026 Launch Dates & Pricing
4-Day Tana River Expedition: $3,695 per person
Includes bush plane flights in and out
6-Day Tana River Expedition: $4,035 per person
Includes bush plane flight in, ground transport out
2026 Launch Dates:
Price includes all necessary gear and meals & taxes—no hidden fees.
Small groups mean personalized experiences—and they fill up fast. Don’t miss your chance to raft through America’s largest national park on one of its wildest rivers.
Check out our day-by-day Tana River itinerary.
Choose Your Adventure
The 4-Day Whitewater Express: Pure adrenaline, concentrated. You’ll fly in, run the Tana’s most exciting sections, and fly out from Jake’s Bar. Perfect for experienced rafters with limited time who want maximum whitewater.
The 6-Day Extended Journey: All the thrills of the 4-day, plus bonus time on the scenic Chitina River. More exploration, more camping under the midnight sun, more stories to tell.
The Ultimate: 12-Day Source to Sea: Combine the Tana with our Copper River Expedition for the full Alaska rafting expedition experience. Start in the headwaters, finish at the coast—it’s our signature adventure and the best Alaska whitewater rafting journey we offer.
Summer is prime time for Tana River rafting when water conditions are optimal. Private groups can request custom dates.
Ready to talk details? Call us at 888-609-RAFT.
The People Who’ll Get You There Safely
Our professional Alaska rafting guides team doesn’t just know rivers—they know this river. Every guide brings:
- Years of Alaska river experience
- Swiftwater rescue certification
- Wilderness First Responder training
- Intimate knowledge of every river feature on the Tana
When you’re choosing the best whitewater rafting Alaska has to offer, guide expertise matters. We have seen the Tana in every condition, at every water level, in every kind of weather. We’ll navigate the rapids, teach you to read the water, and make sure you’re grinning at the end of every day.
What’s Included (And What to Bring)
We Provide
The Essentials:
- Professional guide service
- High-quality dry suits for every guest
- All rafting and safety equipment
- Comprehensive safety training
Camp Life:
- Tents (double occupancy) and group camping gear
- All meals from lunch on day one through final take-out
Getting There:
- Bush plane flights as specified
You Bring
The Basics:
- Personal items from our detailed packing list
- Sturdy water bottle
- Pre/post trip accommodations in McCarthy
- Transportation to/from McCarthy
- Medications (plus 2-day backup supply)
The Intangibles:
- Your adventurous spirit
- Guide gratuity (15-20% recommended)
River Scenes and Testimonials
The rafting was absolutely fabulous, beautiful scenery and fantastic, friendly and professional guides. The food was excellent and the camping and dry suits were very good quality. Thank you for a truly memorable trip.
– Lauren D.
McCarthy River Tours guided us down the challenging white water of the Tana and did a fantastic job. They were patient, well organized and ran huge waves with safety and gusto. Well done! Can’t imagine a more fun trip.
– John G.
Other than tire tracks from planes from previous years, we saw no evidence of anyone on the Tana. There are huge rapids on one of the days, but since MRTO’s guides are so expert and spend so much time on scouting and safety, it’s more fun than scary.
– Ben M.
This Is Alaska National Park Rafting at Its Most Thrilling
Ready for Alaska summer whitewater that’ll give you stories for a lifetime? The Tana River is calling. Book your 2026 expedition now: 888-609-RAFT
Tana River 4-day and 6-day Itinerary
Welcome to McCarthy
Your wilderness whitewater adventure begins in historic McCarthy. Join us at 4pm for a mandatory pre-trip meeting and Safety Check Off at our main office. Meet your expert guides and fellow adventurers as we review gear, discuss river safety, and prepare for tomorrow’s journey into one of Alaska’s most remote river valleys.
Flight Day & Upper Valley
Morning brings the excitement of a spectacular bush plane flight into the upper Tana Valley. Touch down in pristine wilderness where your river journey begins. Navigate the braided channels of the upper river, where your guides demonstrate their expertise in reading these dynamic waterways. Evening finds us at our first camp, where stunning mountain vistas invite exploration of the surrounding wilderness.
Sand Dunes & First Rapids
Begin your day exploring the remarkable Tana River Sand Dunes, a surprising desert-like landscape amid the Alaskan wilderness. By afternoon, encounter your first taste of Tana whitewater as the river begins to show its legendary character. Make camp above tomorrow’s major rapids, where your guides cook dinner and conduct detailed safety briefings.
The Heart of Tana Whitewater
Today brings the expedition’s most challenging and exciting whitewater. After thorough safety discussion, tackle the heart of the Tana River—a sequence of powerful rapids showcasing Alaska’s premier big water conditions. Participate in one of Alaska’s most dramatic river scouts before running these impressive Class IV rapids. End your day camping on an expansive Dryas plain with magnificent views of 16,000-foot Mount Blackburn dominating the northern horizon.
Final Journey (4-day) or Jake’s Bar Exploration (6-day)
Rise early for breakfast and final preparations. Float from the Tana onto the broader Chitina River before your mid-day bush plane pickup returns you to McCarthy, carrying memories of one of Alaska’s premier whitewater adventures.
For those continuing, explore the historic cabins and airstrip at Jake’s Bar, a reminder of earlier pioneers in this vast wilderness. Watch for bears fishing near the Chakina River confluence as you enter a more relaxed section of river. Replenish water supplies from pristine mountain streams before making camp.
Rivers & History
Continue your journey past the Tebay River, another prime wildlife viewing area where bears frequently fish. Explore the impressive Kuskulana River Delta and discover riverside historical sites that tell tales of Alaska’s copper rush era. Your final wilderness camp offers time to reflect on the journey.
Journey’s End
Join the mighty Copper River for your final day on the water. Float past traditional fish wheels and dipnetters practicing ancient salmon harvesting methods. Arrive at O’Brien Creek in Chitina around noon, completing your epic journey through some of Alaska’s most challenging and beautiful wilderness.
Note: Itinerary may vary based on weather, water levels, and group interests.
Your experienced guides adapt the journey to maximize safety and experience quality.
Have Questions? Check out our Multi-Day Alaska Rafting FAQ page.
Book Your Tana River Rafting Alaska Adventure
Ready to experience the best whitewater rafting Alaska has to offer? Our Tana River guided rafting expeditions provide the ultimate remote wilderness rafting experience. Contact us today to reserve your dates for this unforgettable Alaska wilderness whitewater adventure.
Reserve your expedition dates now:
Your Tana River whitewater rafting expedition awaits.
READY TO PLAN YOUR TRIP?
We’ve got you covered with day and multi-day trip guides for McCarthy, Alaska.
Planning that bucket list trip to the Last Frontier can be a little daunting. But not to worry – We’ve made it easy with our trip planning guides! These guides cover everything from how to get to McCarthy, Alaska, what to pack for a trip, and our most frequently asked questions from past guests.
