Nenana River

As a glacial river that creates Denali National Park’s eastern border, the Nenana River is one of Alaska’s most popular destinations for river rafting and adventure. At 140 miles long, the Nenana River progresses from Class II to Class IV rapids before opening up into beautiful headwaters filled with abundant wildlife.

About the Nenana River

The Nenana River is tributary of Tanana River, and it’s located southwest of Fairbanks—draining the north slopes of the Alaska Range. Today, its pristine and challenging rapids make for unforgettable river rafting experiences, and thousands of visitors come every year for commercial tours, rafting trips, and kayaking along the stunning shores.

Visiting the Nenana River

The Nenana River is the ideal destination for a 1-2 night rafting and camping trip—as long as you prepare for the danger! With cold, swift water and complicated navigation, rafting the Nenana River is a challenge that delivers an unforgettable experience.

History & Geography

The river was explored in 1887 by U.S. Army Lieutenant Henry Allen, and he originally named it “Cantwell River” after another Lieutenant that explored Kobuk River in the 1880s. However, the name didn’t stick, and Native people that lived along the river’s edge referred to it as Tutlut in the local Tanana language—as reported in 1898 by the U.S. Geological Survey. The name was recorded on a later map as Nenana, which is said to come from the Tanana word neenano’, meaning “stopping-while-migrating stream”.

Originating in the Nenana Glacier, more than 100 miles south of Fairbanks, in the northern Alaska Range, the Nenana River changes directions several times before creating the eastern boundary of Denali National Park. After it emerges from the mountain slopes, the Nenana River then joins the Tanana River in Nenana, Alaska.

Interesting Facts

More than just a prime Alaskan rafting location, the Nenana River has played an important role to Native people throughout history. With abundant wildlife, stunning views, and a wide glacial valley along its shores, it’s the perfect place to get up close and personal with backcountry Alaska.

• The upper Class II stretch of the Nenana River flows through the Denali Fault Line trench—the region’s major source for earthquakes and mountain growth.
• There are 10 miles of Class IV rapids for the experienced rafter to take on as the river flows through steep-walled canyons of the Alaska Range mountains.
• Abundant wildlife can be found in and around the river, including wild sheep, golden eagles, bear, moose, caribou, salmon, whitefish, and more.
• One of Alaska’s oldest known sites, Broken Mammoth, as well as Swan Point, can be found in the river’s valley. As major archaeological sites, they were settled up to 12,000 years ago.
• There’s a thriving commercial rafting industry at the Nenana River, and tours for 2-hour, 4-hour, and full-day/overnight trips are all available for reservation.

Points of Interest

The land around the Nenana River has long been used by Native people, and it has become one of the top destinations for a true Alaskan waterway experience. With incredible opportunities for whitewater rafting and kayaking along the river’s length, exploring the Nenana River is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.