Upper Chitina River Rafting
Through the Heart of Wrangell-St. Elias
- Trip Length: 5, 8 or 14 days
- Season: June through August
- Age Requirement: 14+
- 2026 Trips: June 26 or August 16 (custom dates available)
- Difficulty: Moderate (Class III+ rapids)
- Group Size: Small groups for personalized experience
Where Rivers Become Labyrinths
Here’s something most people don’t know about Alaska: The Chitina River splits into so many braided channels that at its widest point, the river valley spans four miles across. Four miles of silvery water threading through gravel bars, with glaciers on the horizon and Mount Logan dominating the skyline.
Your Upper Chitina River rafting adventure launches at the terminus of the massive Chitina Glacier—a wall of ancient ice that feeds this magnificent waterway. From there, you’ll spend 5 or 8 days navigating the most braided river Alaska offers, floating past towering glacier faces, spotting wild bison herds, and camping in spots so remote that you’re truly off the grid.
This is Wrangell St Elias wilderness rafting at its finest: moderate difficulty, extraordinary scenery, and wildlife encounters that’ll leave you speechless. Choose the fly-in fly-out 5-day expedition for concentrated adventure, or go for the extended 8-day journey—one of the longest Alaska rafting trips available and the perfect week-long (plus) Alaska expedition.
What Makes the Chitina Unforgettable
A River That Can’t Make Up Its Mind
Calling the Chitina “braided” doesn’t quite capture it. This river doesn’t just split—it explodes into dozens, sometimes hundreds of channels that weave, merge, separate, and disappear into gravel bars only to reappear downstream. Our Chitina River guided rafting team knows how to read this ever-changing maze, choosing channels that maximize both excitement and wildlife viewing.
Each day on this Chitina River multi-day rafting adventure reveals something new. You’ll float past the towering faces of Barnard Glacier and Hawkins Glacier, their blue ice gleaming in the sun. Then Gibraltar Hill appears—a 600-foot sentinel rising improbably from the braided riverbed, standing watch over the valley like a stone giant.
The navigation is part art, part science, and 100% dependent on local knowledge. That’s why our guides are worth their weight in gold.
Wild Bison. Yes, Really.
Here’s a moment you won’t forget: You’re floating peacefully down a side channel when your guide raises a hand. Everyone stops. Ahead, a herd of wild bison is crossing the river, their massive bodies creating wakes as they wade through the current. Traffic jam? In the middle of nowhere? Welcome to the Chitina.
This Alaska bison experience is something special. These aren’t zoo animals or ranch stock—they’re wild bison, descendants of a small population introduced decades ago that thrived in this remote ecosystem.
Plus bears fishing in crystalline tributary streams, Dall sheep picking their way across high cliffs, and those mysterious Ghost Trees Alaska—bleached snags standing in the river like skeletal sentinels from another era. This remote Alaska wilderness expedition adventure delivers wildlife encounters that feel prehistoric.
Three Mountain Ranges, One Epic Valley
The Chitina River doesn’t just flow through mountains—it flows between three of Alaska’s most dramatic ranges. The Wrangells, the St. Elias, and the Chugach all converge here, creating a landscape so vast it challenges your depth perception.
From your raft, you’ll watch these giants parade past. Mount Logan—Canada’s highest peak—provides Alaska rafting views that make you feel wonderfully small. Massive glaciers spill down from high ice fields. The scale is hard to grasp until you’re there, floating through it, realizing that what looked like a small hill in the distance is actually a 10,000-foot mountain.
This bush plane based rafting expedition journey showcases Alaska’s dramatic peaks from a perspective few people ever see. It’s a moderate Alaska rafting trip with world-class scenery.
Trip Details: What a Journey on the Upper Chitina Looks Like
Your expedition begins at the terminal moraine of the Chitina Glacier, where the ice gives birth to the river. It’s a powerful place to start—you can feel the wildness in the air.
The first day brings Class III+ rapids with impressive volume that’ll get your attention (in a good way). Then the river transforms. Channels multiply. The valley opens up. Suddenly you’re navigating a waterway up to four miles wide, choosing paths through a braided river labyrinth.
Choose our 5-day expedition if you want the highlights with bush plane exit at Jake’s Bar—you’ll see the best of the Chitina with efficient logistics. Or commit to the full 8-day experience to witness how the river evolves from glacier terminus to confluence with the Copper. For the ultimate adventure, consider the Chitina to Copper River rafting combination: 14 days, Source to Sea, the whole magnificent journey.
Duration:
5, 8 or 14 Days
Gourmet Meals:
included
Age Requirement:
14+
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Perfect for: Adventurous teenagers and adults, first-time rafters with can-do attitudes, experienced paddlers seeking something unique, photographers, anyone craving remote wilderness expeditions Alaska without extreme technical difficulty.
This trip ventures into very remote terrain in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Cell service? Nope. Towns? None. Other people? Extremely unlikely. This is the real Alaska.
The Guides Who Know Every Channel
When you’re navigating the most braided river Alaska offers, guide expertise isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. Our Chitina River guided rafting team brings the local knowledge that makes the difference between a good trip and an extraordinary one.
Certifications:
- Swiftwater rescue certification
- Wilderness First Responder certification
- Professional-grade safety protocols
What Really Matters:
- Extensive local knowledge of the Chitina (they know which channels to take)
- Small guide-to-guest ratios (you’re not lost in a crowd)
- Comprehensive safety briefings (so you know what to expect)
- Years of reading this river (experience you can feel)
We don’t just guide the Chitina—we love it. We know where the bison tend to cross (we can’t wait to show you Flower Lake), which gravel bars make the best camps, and how to position the rafts so everyone gets that perfect Gibraltar Hill photo. Enthusiasm is contagious, our guides skills are top-notch, and their stories around the campfire? Worth the trip alone.
Pricing & 2026 Launch Dates
5-Day Chitina River Expedition: $4,550 per person
Includes bush plane exit at Jake’s Bar
8-Day Chitina River Expedition: $4,850 per person
The full watershed experience
2026 Launch Dates:
Price includes all necessary gear and meals – no hidden fees.
Check out the day-by-day Upper Chitina Tour itinerary.
Make It Your Adventure
The Upper Chitina is spectacular on its own, but we’re flexible. Want the concentrated 5-day journey with fly-out? Perfect for folks with limited time who want maximum wilderness. Prefer the extended 8-day option? You’ll see more of the watershed and settle deeper into river time.
Wondering about Chitina vs Copper River rafting? They’re different experiences—and incredible when combined. Our 14-day Source to Sea Alaska expedition (August departure) connects them both for one of the most comprehensive Alaska rafting trips you can do.
Photography-focused trips available. Custom dates for private groups. Whatever vision you have for your remote wilderness expeditions Alaska journey, we can probably make it happen.
Let’s design your trip: 888-609-RAFT
Expedition Highlights
The Spectacular Stuff:
- Launch near the massive Chitina Glacier (you can hear it groaning)
- Navigate past Barnard and Hawkins Glaciers (ancient ice, up close)
- Float beneath 600-foot Gibraltar Hill (geology’s exclamation point)
- Experience the most braided river Alaska offers (it’s a maze out there)
The Wild Stuff:
- Witness wild bison herds crossing the river (traffic jams, Alaska-style)
- Float past the mysterious Alaska Ghost Trees (eerily beautiful)
- Spot bears fishing in clear tributary streams (nature’s ultimate anglers)
- Watch Dall sheep traverse impossible cliffs (how do they do that?)
The Comfort Stuff:
- Backcountry gourmet meals (real food, real flavors)
- Expert guides with extensive local knowledge (they’ve seen it all)
- Small groups for personalized experience (you’re not herded around)
What’s Included in Your Chitina Adventure
We Provide
On the River:
- Professional guide service
- High-quality dry suits for everyone
- All rafting and safety equipment
In Camp:
- Camping equipment including sleep kits (bag, pad, pillow)
- Group camping gear (kitchen, shelter, facilities)
- All meals from lunch day one through take-out
Getting There & Back:
- Bush plane flights as specified in your trip option
The Extras:
- Expert interpretation of natural history
- Wildlife spotting assistance
- Bad jokes (guide specialty)
You Bring
The Basics:
- Personal items from our detailed packing list
- Sturdy water bottle
- Medications (plus 2-day backup supply)
- Pre/post trip accommodations
The Important Stuff:
- Your adventurous spirit
- Guide gratuity (15-20% recommended for these amazing humans)
River Scenes and Testimonials
A fabulous adventure! All the gear was included and well thought out. Ana was a great guide and very knowledgeable. She also expertly took us through the rapids. We loved every minute of it!
– Deidre H.
Unbelievable experience in a magnificent place. This is a “bucket-list” level trip that could not have been made any more enjoyable by the folks at McCarthy River Tours.
– Christopher D.
We had outstanding raft guides on our trip down the Chitina river. A great mix of humor and knowledge about the Park. The route and meals were well thought out. I highly recommend using McCarthy River Tours.
– Sal T.
Feel the Excitement
More than just a moderate Alaska rafting trip—this is an odyssey through one of the planet’s last truly wild places. The Upper Chitina doesn’t compromise. Neither should your adventure.
Upper Chitina River 5-day and 8-day Itinerary
Welcome to McCarthy, Alaska
Join us in historic McCarthy for our mandatory 6pm pre-trip meeting. Meet your guides and fellow adventurers as we review gear and prepare for tomorrow’s journey into one of North America’s most dramatic river valleys for this multi-day Upper Chitina River rafting adventure.
Launch into Wilderness
Your journey begins with a morning bush plane flight to Hubert’s Landing along the Chitina River. Here, surrounded by remote wilderness, you’ll launch onto waters that immediately showcase Class III+ rapids. As the day progresses, the river’s energy settles, leading to your first camp in this spectacular landscape.
Glaciers & Giants
A layover day allows deep exploration of this remarkable territory. Hike to the retreating terminus of Barnard Glacier, where ancient ice meets raw earth. On clear days, enjoy Mount Logan rafting views as this massive peak dominates the horizon. Witness the river’s transformation into the intricate braided channels that define the coming days of this Upper Chitina River rafting expedition.
Riverside Monuments
Today’s journey passes two active glaciers as guides navigate past Gibraltar Rock, a 600-foot sentinel rising dramatically from the riverbed. Thread through the graceful S-curves of Bryson Bar, with opportunities for short hikes. Each bend reveals new views of the three mountain ranges framing your Chitina Alaska rafting journey.
Wild Bison Alaska River Trip Territory
Navigate the most extensively braided section in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, where channels weave across a riverbed up to four miles wide. Watch for the famous Chitina bison herd during your Alaska bison rafting experience and discover their distinctive bedding middens. Float past Canyon Creek as you prepare for tomorrow’s final leg of this week long Alaska rafting adventure.
Final Float/ Flight (5-day) or Geological Transitions (8-day)
After passing the Tana River confluence, explore the historic remains at Jake’s Bar. Watch for bears fishing at the mouth of the Chakina River. Listen for the approaching bush plane that provides one final, spectacular aerial view as you return to McCarthy completing your fly-in fly-out Alaska rafting expedition.
For those continuing, today marks a fascinating geological transition as the river leaves the hard rock of the upper valley for the more erodible cliffs of the lower Chitina on this extended Alaska rafting trip.
Mountain Vistas
Join forces with the Nizina River’s chocolate-brown waters. The day offers expansive upstream views of the towering St. Elias mountains. Stop to replenish water supplies from crystal-clear mountain streams, a reminder of the pure wilderness surrounding your 8 day Alaska rafting expedition.
History & Wildlife
Scan for bears near the Tebay River and float past the distinctive Lightning Bolt Rock. Explore the Kuskulana River Delta and discover historical sites that tell tales of the region’s copper rush era. Your final wilderness camp offers time to reflect on this longest Alaska rafting trip experience.
Journey’s End
Join the mighty Copper River for your final day on the water. Float past traditional fish wheels and contemporary dipnetters practicing time-honored salmon harvesting methods. Arrive at O’Brien Creek in Chitina by noon, completing your epic journey through the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park on this remarkable Upper Chitina River rafting Alaska adventure.
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.
The Upper Chitina flows whether you’re on it or not. But your chance to experience this incredible river? That’s right now. Our small groups and remote location mean limited departures—book early to secure your spot.
Call us at 888-609-RAFT or click below to start planning your journey through America’s largest national park.
This is the Alaska you’ve been searching for. Where rivers split into mazes, bison roam free, glaciers calve into waterways, and the mountains stretch so far you forget what the word “big” used to mean.
Five days. Eight days. Fourteen Days. However long you’ve got—we’ll make it count.
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.
