Nizina River Rafting Expeditions – 4 & 6 Days
per person
Paddle Through Paradise: Experience the Nizina River in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime on Alaska’s Nizina River. Fly into scenic Nizina Lake where Icebergs the size of Tall Ships float with the breeze. Spend a day hiking by the glacier lake and paddling among the icebergs while you get ready to hit the river on days 2-4. Float past waterfalls and stunning limestone cliffs, negotiate the wild class III turns of the narrow Nizina Canyon prior to the river merging with the Chitina River on Day 4.
Get Ready to Be Stunned by the Nizina River’s Majestic Landscape!
Escape your everyday routine and discover the joy of rafting Alaska with McCarthy River Tours. Experience natural beauty like you’ve never seen, floating past the Chitistone Gorge and Mile High Cliffs. Float under the remnants of the Nizina River bridge, left to time for over 50 years, while getting lost in this wild and seemingly untouched landscape.
With rapids suitable even for beginners, this adventure filled trip is sure to make lasting memories for you and your travel companions. Call now and start planning an adventure that’s out of this world!
Difficulty Level: Moderate
The Nizina River Expedition is considered a Moderate trip for those adventurers looking to journey a little further into the Alaskan Bush. Great for folks with previous river experience or newcomers with an increased desire for adventure. Incredible chances to spot wildlife, very remote, and up to Class III+ whitewater with large volume and braided river channels.
2025 Group Launch Dates – 4 & 6 Day Nizina River Expeditions
- June 13 – Combine with our June Copper Expedition to make it a 12 day Source to Sea!
- July 19
- August 17
2025 Trip Price – our Fully Outfitted prices contain no hidden fees, the price here is what you will pay at booking
- 4 Day Expedition: $3245 Per Person Fly in/Fly out
- 6 Day Expedition: $3560 Per Person – Fly In with take-out in Chitina
Custom Dates & Pricing Available
- Scenic bush plane flight from McCarthy to Nizina Lake
- Float past the Mile High Cliffs & the beautiful Chitistone Gorge
- Float under the historical skeleton of the Nizina River Bridge that once connected the McCarthy and May Creek towns. Before the river’s ever-shifting course washed the bridge out for good, it intimately connected the small towns of the Wrangell Mountains
- Five Mile Gorge and the Nizina River Canyon
- Views of the mighty peaks of the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains
- Back-country Gourmet Meals
- Experience floating through a living painting
The trip begins with a bush plane flight from McCarthy and drops off at 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. Combining fun & challenging whitewater, giant icebergs floating in a glacial lake, “mile high” limestone cliffs, and an extraordinary number of waterfalls, this river expedition will please any adventurer in your crew.
4 Day Nizina Exclusive – fly back to McCarthy from the confluence of the Nizina and Chitina Rivers.
6 Day Big River Combo – Continue onto the Chitina River for another 35 miles to our next road access at O’Brien Creek on the Copper River.
- Dry-suit
- Rafts
- Expert guides
- Personal floatation device (PFD)
- Helmet
- River shoes
- Food from lunch day one until take-out day
- Group gear (kitchen, group shelter, river toilet, etc.)
- All bush plane flights
- Tents assigned on double occupancy. You may request a private tent for an additional cost.
- Lodging pre/post river
- Transport to/from McCarthy
- All Items Listed on our Packing List
- STURDY WATER BOTTLE!
- Adventurous Spirit
- Any Medications you may require plus 2 days extra in case of delays
- Gratuity for your Guide (10-20% of trip cost is recommended)
Custom launch dates are also available. Call us @ 907-302-0688 to inquire.
McCarthy Lodging Options
Make it a full McCarthy, Alaska Vacation! From quaint cabins at the foot of a glacier to riverside camping – we have the perfect place to rest your head after a day of Alaskan adventure.
SEE LODGING OPTIONSFrom Our Gallery
Be our guest and see this tour for yourself
Great Fly Out Backcountry Adventure for Intermediate Skill Levels!
4 Day Nizina
- Day 0 - Travel Day
- Arrive in McCarthy no later than 6pm
- Mandatory 6pm pre-trip meeting conducted at our main office.
- Day 1 - Launch Day
- Morning Fly Out to Nizina Lake
- Explore from camp, hunt for a long lost Trappers Cabin
- Explore Nizina Lake, Paddle Among Icebergs
- Hike the opposite side of the Lake & Doubtful Creek Drainage
- Day 2 - River Day
- Enjoy Class III Whitewater as you exit Nizina Lake.
- Hike to a stunning waterfall.
- Camp by the Mile High Cliffs
- Day 3 - River Day
- Float Past the Chitistone Gorge.
- Negotiate ultra fun, fast moving river braids.
- Float through the Nizina Canyon.
- Camp upstream from Chitina Confluence.
- Day 4 - Take-Out Day
- Float to the confluence with the Chitina River.
- Take out at Riverside Airstrip.
- Bush Plane Flight back to McCarthy Midday.
6 Day Nizina
- Day 0 - Travel Day
- Arrive in McCarthy no later than 6pm
- Mandatory 6pm pre-trip meeting conducted at our main office.
- Day 1 - Launch Day
- Morning Fly Out to Nizina Lake
- Explore from camp, hunt for a long lost Trappers Cabin
- Explore Nizina Lake, Paddle Among Icebergs
- Hike the opposite side of the Lake & Doubtful Creek Drainage
- Day 2 - River Day
- Enjoy Class III Whitewater as you exit Nizina Lake.
- Hike to a stunning waterfall.
- Camp by the Mile High Cliffs
- Day 3 - River Day
- Float Past the Chitistone Gorge.
- Negotiate ultra fun, fast moving river braids.
- Float through the Nizina Canyon.
- Camp upstream from Chitina Confluence.
- Day 4 - River Day
- Merge with the Chitina River.
- Enjoy a vastly larger, wider river.
- Refill Water Jugs with crystal clear mountain water.
- Day 5 - River Day
- Spot for bears at the Tebay River
- Explore the Kuskulana River Delta
- Check out riverside historical sites.
- Day 6 - Take Out Day
- Float onto the Copper River.
- Float past dipnetters and fish wheels.
- Take out at O'Brien Creek in Chitina at noon.