Denali Rafting Canyon Wave
Recommended by 100% of travellers
Badge of Excellence
Denali National Park, USA
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Hit the rapids safely with this Canyon Wave rafting trip along the beautiful and scenic Nenana River along the border of Denali National Park. Your professional guide will lead you along 11 miles of rapids, allowing you to be a paddle rafter or the more laid oar boat rider, so there’s something for everyone in this adventure. Roundtrip transportation from your accommodation is included, as well as necessary gear so you can just focus on having fun.
- Splash along the Nenana River near Denali National Park in this guided river adventure
- An expert guide ensures fun and safety for everyone
- All gear including a drysuit, helmet, and river shoes are provided so there’s no hassle for you
- Roundtrip transportation from your accommodations is included, making the planning even easier
What's Included
- Professional River Guide, Drysuit, PFD, helmet, paddle (if needed), river shoes, transport to & from the river, safe location to store your personal belongings
- Warm Non-cotton base layers- polyester/wool, long johns, to wear underneath drysuit, extra socks
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
What To Expect
1
Denali National Park and Preserve
2
Denali National Park
3
Healy
4
Denali Park
5
Nenana River
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not recommended for travellers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travellers
- Wheelchair accessible
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- No infants
- Hight and weight restrictions of max 6'5" and 265 lbs.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travellers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveller Photos
Featured review
Kimberly_I
This was so much fun and exciting. We would definitely do this again. Our guide Mike was fantastic. He made sure to prepare us for each rapid and kept our group safely in the raft. I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for an exciting experience.
Reviews
5.0
based on 673 reviews
Anagha_S, Jun 2026
If you are planning to do a solo trip and are in Denali…i would definitely recommend this adventure!!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the recommendation! We're so glad you enjoyed your adventure and appreciate you encouraging other solo travelers to join us. Whether you're exploring Denali on your own or with a group, we're happy to provide a fun, welcoming experience. We hope to see you again on your next Alaska adventure!
Kelly_H, Jun 2026
A must experience for your vacation. Jake our guide was amazing. Highly recommend this excursion. You will be happy you did it!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear Jake made your trip such a memorable experience.
Aric_P, Jun 2026
Great trip! Class 3 and 4 with a great guide! Dry suits keep us all warm even with frigid water. Would do it all again! Our kids loved it as well.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear you and your family had such a great time on the river. Our guides work hard to create a fun, safe, and memorable experience, and we're glad the dry suits kept everyone comfortable despite the frigid water. It means a lot to know your kids loved the adventure too! We appreciate you choosing Canyon Wave, and your choice to raft with New Wave!
Carrie_V, Jun 2026
Amazing! Dry suits keep you nearly perfectly dry and warm, just a bit of water at collar and wrists. Recommend 2 pairs of socks - feet stay dry in suit and shoes, but can get a little chilly. With double socks, nice and toasty.
Fantastic river guide! Took two families each with 13 yr old girls who are moderately adventurous - they had a great time and we felt very safe. HIGHLY recommend
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the amazing review! We're so glad you enjoyed your Canyon Wave adventure and found the dry suits warm and comfortable, even in the chilly water. Your tip about bringing an extra pair of socks is a great one for future rafters!
It's wonderful to hear that both families had such a great time. Our goal is always to provide an exciting adventure while maintaining the highest level of safety, so we're thrilled that you felt both challenged and well cared for on the river. Thank you for choosing Canyon Wave and for your high recommendation.
Jana_B, Jun 2026
We had the best time on our tour! We had Mike as our guide and he did an amazing job. We all felt he gave instructions clearly and was patient with us, he was also very personable and made the whole experience great for us. We had an absolute blast, cannot recommend this place and Mike enough!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great time on your tour with Mike. He’ll be really happy to know he made the experience so enjoyable for your group. We truly appreciate your recommendation!
Brian_V, Jun 2026
Amazing experience with Huffy (our guide) and the rest of the team! 5-stars! Definitely exceeded our expectations. My 12 year old son had an absolute blast. Would recommend to anyone!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We're thrilled to hear that Huffy and the rest of our team helped make your experience such a memorable one. It's especially great to know your son had a blast! We hope to see you again for another adventure soon!
Venture_K, Jun 2026
Beau was an incredible guide!! We had such a blast on our raft, and enjoyed his friendliness. My only complaint was the ad for this trip advertised as 3.5 hours of rafting, but it’s only a 1.5 hour actual river time. Aside from that, the trip was genuinely incredible.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a blast on the river and that Beau helped make the trip so memorable. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the trip duration. We understand how the advertised trip time versus actual time on the water can be confusing at times, so we appreciate you bringing that to our attention. Feedback like yours helps us evaluate how we communicate trip expectations and ensure guests have a clear understanding of the full experience! Safety, transportation, and proper preparation is essential to provide our guests with an incredible experience, hence the advertised time to river time ratio. Regardless, we're so happy to hear that you still found the trip to be so incredible!
Natalka_M, Jun 2026
It is fully an incredible experience. If you are on the fence about doing something thrilling and once in a life. Go for it! We got soaked and have zero regrets. Truly beautiful.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
So happy to hear you guys had a blast on the river! Thank you for the review.
Aaron_W, Jun 2026
The whitewater tour was great fun! Our guide, Atticus, made sure all enjoyed the rafting. The rapids were exhilarating and he sought out the best waves. We loved his narration along the way.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the wonderful feedback! We're thrilled you had such a fun time on the river. Atticus will be happy to hear that his guiding skills helped make your rafting adventure so memorable!
Donna_W, Jun 2026
Pat , “bootleg” made me feel at ease about the experience and instructions were great ! Would do again
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We're so glad Pat Bootleg helped make you feel at ease and that the instructions were clear and helpful. We appreciate your kind words and are thrilled to hear you'd do it again!
Jay_C, Jun 2026
Tremendous. Awesome. So damn cool. Beau, our guide, happened to graduate from the same high school as our kids in Florida. That was wild. And he was one of the best guides we’ve ever had. Fun. Friendly. Helpful. A great day. Cold, but great. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you! We will let Beau know you guys enjoyed your trip down the river with him. Happy we could help with such an awesome adventure.
Michael_B, May 2026
Scenic ride, fun and knowledgable guides
Safety instruction
Great weather
Fun group
Dry suits were nice
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for the review! We're so happy you had such a wonderful experience with us.
Alex_R, Dec 2025
My best friend and I went together and had a great time. It is a few hours of fun and the staff was really nice, they all seem to LOVE their jobs. The experience lasts a few hours and the rapids weren’t as crazy as I expected them to be. This was so much fun and we would definitely do it again.
Mark_A, Sept 2025
Great time. Felt safe with Pat! Definitely would do business with them again. My best friend and I took some camping recommendations from our tour guide 10/10 spot. Thanks Pat!
chris_f, Aug 2025
Doesn't matter how old you are, just enjoy the ride sit back and take in the scenery or help paddle👍
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Bucket list adventures are what it’s all about! We’re so glad you enjoyed the Canyon Wave — whether paddling through the rapids or sitting back to soak in the Denali scenery. Thanks for choosing to check this one off with us!
Jeff_C, Aug 2025
Very scenic raft experience! J Money our guide was great! Class 3/4 rapids although water was a bit low.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for your review! Happy to hear you enjoyed your trip with J Money at the helm navigating you through the best parts of the rapids. The Nenana is a gorgeous river and we are pretty proud to share her beauty with so many people.
Erika_S, Aug 2025
Very safe, not near as strenuous as I thought it would be. Really fun, will definitely go again! Raft guide doubled as a tour guide!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
We are thrilled to hear you had a great time on your raft adventure. It can sound pretty intimidating to do a white water trip but once you've gotten one under your belt, it can be addictive. Come see us again!
Nick_M, Aug 2025
Super fun and the guide Beau was funny and made the experience super. The scenery is breathtaking and it is an easy day getting to and from rafting
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks for rafting with us! We’re so glad Beau kept you laughing and made the trip a blast. The scenery along the Nenana River really is breathtaking — it’s fed by glacial runoff, so you get that beautiful milky water while staying warm and dry in our drysuits. Easy logistics and a fun, safe day on the water is exactly what we aim for. Glad you had a great adventure!
Kevin_S, Aug 2025
Lots of fun and the guides were very knowledgable and professional. Good adventure for all. The equipment and dry suits were awsome. Even get the chance to swim in the frigid water.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks for rafting with us! We’re glad you had a great time with our guides and enjoyed the adventure. The Nenana River’s glacial runoff is definitely chilly, but our drysuits help keep you warm and dry so you can focus on the fun—whether that’s paddling through the rapids or taking a refreshing dip. We appreciate you joining us for a day on the Nenana!
Teresa_T, Aug 2025
Awesome experience! Knowledgeable guide, Beau, was entertaining and very thorough in explanation of safety procedures. Would do it again (and again!)
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks so much for the awesome review! We're thrilled to hear you had a great time on the water with Beau—Here at New Wave, we’re all about delivering the Best Trip Every Trip!
Rick_S, Aug 2025
Beau was our tour/raft guide and was amazing. Very knowledgeable about the river/rapids. Reassured us every step of the way
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for the wonderful feedback! We're so glad to hear that Beau made your rafting experience unforgettable! It's great to know he was able to reassure you along the way with his knowledge of the Nenana River! We at New Wave always are here for a rapid adventure!
Debra_R, Aug 2025
JMoney is an awesome guide! He kept a cheerful mood on the raft and got to know each of us. Thanks for the great ride!!!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks for the great review! We're so glad you had an awesome ride and that JMoney helped make it memorable. He’s fantastic at keeping things fun while making everyone feel ready on the river. We appreciate you choosing New Wave Adventures and hope to see you again out on the river!
Erika_O, Jul 2025
Our guide Luke was awesome! He was funny but serious about safety. He talked with us throughout our river adventure sharing interesting stories about rafting and some of his other adventures. We went as a family (with 2 teen boys) and we all loved it. We also did a flight seeing tour which everyone raves about, but my boys said the rafting was hands down their favorite. We did the more intense one with class III & IV rapids and it was wild in the best possible way. My boys have not stopped talking about it!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for joining us on the river and for sharing this fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear your family — especially your adventurous teen boys — had such an unforgettable experience on the Nenana River! That’s exactly the kind of excitement we love delivering!
Luke is a phenomenal guide, and we’re lucky to have him on our team. His passion for adventure and commitment to safety really set the tone for every trip!
We appreciate you choosing New Wave Adventures during your time in Denali
Michael_M, Jul 2025
So happy we booked this. The whole experience was amazing. I was a little worried before, but the guides were great and made the adventure of a lifetime!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Appreciate you!! We’re so glad you chose to raft with us and even happier to hear it turned into the adventure of a lifetime!! Thanks again for trusting New Wave Adventures. We hope to see you back in Denali for another round!
Alison_P, Jul 2025
We had a great time and definately a once in a lifetime experience to whitewater raft in Alaska! Beau was our river guide and took great care of us. Certainly a highlight of our Alaskan adventure .
Response from Host, Jul 2025
hank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re honored to have been part of your once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan adventure — and thrilled to hear it was such a highlight.
Beau is an outstanding guide who takes pride in making every trip safe, exciting, and memorable. We’re glad he took great care of you out there on the river!
There’s nothing quite like whitewater rafting in the heart of Alaska, and we’re so happy you got to experience it with us at New Wave Adventures!
Iuliia_K, Jul 2025
Really cool experience! Beau and Pet was really knowledgeable, funny and helpful guides. We had amazing time.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thanks for the awesome review! We’re so glad you had an amazing time on the river — and we couldn’t agree more, Beau and Pat are both knowledgeable, funny, and fantastic guides to adventure with.
It means a lot that you chose New Wave Adventures for your Denali experience. We hope the memories stick with you!
Denise_R, Jul 2025
Amazing 2 hours with Amber on the river! Great fun and plenty of thrills without being scary. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thanks, Denise, we're so happy to hear you enjoyed your experience with Amber! We'll be sure to pass on your compliments
Karen_A, Jul 2025
It was a lot of fun. New Wave provided everything we needed. We got very lucky and had great weather.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for the 5 star review! your review helps us know we are on track to give our customers a great time!
Bradley_N, Jul 2025
All of our group had an amazing time!! This was mine and Brad’s first experience and we will definitely do it again!! G Money was our guide and we really had a great time with him.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thanks for the awesome review. Glad you had a great first rafting experience. with us! We will pass along your information to G Money!
Sherry_G, Jul 2025
It's full of adventure and excitement. We had several 1st timers in our raft. Our guide was excellent!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
New Wave professional guides are great way to experience class 3-4 whitewater without years of training. We are so glad your enjoyed your river experience.
From US$147.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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