Nenana River
Nenana River
4.5
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Recreational river that flows through Denali National Park.
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4.5
12 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
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Average
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Terrible
1
Rhys J
Llanbedr, UK2,926 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
My wife and I followed the Nenana River on our train journey between Fairbanks and Denali during our escorted ‘Natural Wonders of Alaska’ tour with Titan Travel. This glacial river, approximately 140 miles (230 km) long, is a tributary of the Tanana River in central Alaska. Our journey on the Wilderness Express followed the upper reaches of the river along the northern route of the Alaska Railroad connecting Fairbanks and Anchorage.
The 360 degree views of the Nenana River and in particular the Gorge from the curved glass dome carriage of the Wilderness Express were spectacular. The outside open-air viewing platform at the back of the carriage was also a great spot to take wonderful photographs and avoid the glare from the glass of the domed section of the carriage. It’s a very fast flowing river especially in the Gorge with numerous rapids making it a treacherous section of the river suitable for very experienced whitewater rafting enthusiasts. The river however also offers Class I (easy) sections for beginners to rafting and it’s very popular with all kinds of watersports. Some from our tour group opted for an optional water rafting excursion and had an exhilirating ride along a section of the river. I missed that excursion because I wanted to undertake another optional excursion arranged at the same time. I opted to visit and land on the Yanert Glacier with Era Helicopters, an incredible excursion and well worth the expense.
I also enjoyed stunning views of the Nenana River during our 2 nights stay at the Grande Denali Lodge Hotel near Denali National Park with the river serving as the Park’s eastern boundary. The hotel is located on the side of Sugarloaf Mountain and has commanding views of the river and valley below. I had some of the best views of the river however during the optional excursion with Era Helicopters into the high mountains of the Alaskan Range to view and land on the Yanert Glacier. Our flight path gave amazing views of the river and valley and my camera went into overdrive taking so many pictures! I was very fortunate to be allocated a window seat on the flight to make the most of the photo. opportunites and was even more fortunate to be on the excursion on a sunny and clear day. This river is beautiful, wonderful and full of life - it's well worth visiting and has so much to offer.
The 360 degree views of the Nenana River and in particular the Gorge from the curved glass dome carriage of the Wilderness Express were spectacular. The outside open-air viewing platform at the back of the carriage was also a great spot to take wonderful photographs and avoid the glare from the glass of the domed section of the carriage. It’s a very fast flowing river especially in the Gorge with numerous rapids making it a treacherous section of the river suitable for very experienced whitewater rafting enthusiasts. The river however also offers Class I (easy) sections for beginners to rafting and it’s very popular with all kinds of watersports. Some from our tour group opted for an optional water rafting excursion and had an exhilirating ride along a section of the river. I missed that excursion because I wanted to undertake another optional excursion arranged at the same time. I opted to visit and land on the Yanert Glacier with Era Helicopters, an incredible excursion and well worth the expense.
I also enjoyed stunning views of the Nenana River during our 2 nights stay at the Grande Denali Lodge Hotel near Denali National Park with the river serving as the Park’s eastern boundary. The hotel is located on the side of Sugarloaf Mountain and has commanding views of the river and valley below. I had some of the best views of the river however during the optional excursion with Era Helicopters into the high mountains of the Alaskan Range to view and land on the Yanert Glacier. Our flight path gave amazing views of the river and valley and my camera went into overdrive taking so many pictures! I was very fortunate to be allocated a window seat on the flight to make the most of the photo. opportunites and was even more fortunate to be on the excursion on a sunny and clear day. This river is beautiful, wonderful and full of life - it's well worth visiting and has so much to offer.
Written 14 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DaveyM44
Aurora114 contributions
July 2011 • Couples
While on a Holland America Cruise/Tour we stopped in Denail Park, Alaska and signed up to go rafting on the Class III and Class IV rapids on the Nenana river. The trip left from the hotel complex where we were staying and, in a word, it was fantastic. We chose to do the paddling version as opposed to the coasting version (Same river but you get to help out with the paddling.). That was a great choice! The preparation was well done with many hands helping get us in the dry suits that would keep us dry and warm. The silty, glacial water was a cool 37F. We received the required safety and risk speech and then practiced our paddling in an eddy at the edge of the put in point. Our raft guide, Brian, was very competent and reassuring but with a great sense of humour and lots of good history and information about the river and the park. The actual paddling was relatively easy as it was done on command of our guide and was limited to 4 or 5 strokes at a time to change or correct our course. Most of the paddling was done while in the rapids which were exhilarating and well spaced out on the hour long trip down the river. Overall it was not too strenuous. About 2/3 the way down the river our guide asked if we wanted to go for a swim. The six of us in the raft were skeptical but all decided to climb into the water and float alongside the raft. This option was only available to the rafts that had paddlers in. That opportunity was really exciting and all six of us enjoyed several minutes floating in our dry suits alongside the raft. Our guide 'bobbed' us back into the boat and we finished the river. It was worth every cent to see the river at water level and to be part of the glacial run off. If you have any paddling experience or are in even limited physical shape, i would suggest the paddling option for the possibility of floating beside the raft.
Written 31 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Plattonian
Fort Worth, TX842 contributions
July 2021 • Family
How can some of you leave less than 5 stars to a river? It's a river!
We first encountered the Nenana River in Fairbanks while taking the Riverboat Discovery Tour. Then, we saw the river on our drive south to Denali. We were delighted to find out our hotel room (Denali Park Village) had a view of the Nenana River. Our room was so close to the river that we could hear it.
We first encountered the Nenana River in Fairbanks while taking the Riverboat Discovery Tour. Then, we saw the river on our drive south to Denali. We were delighted to find out our hotel room (Denali Park Village) had a view of the Nenana River. Our room was so close to the river that we could hear it.
Written 19 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PalmtreeMonkey
Tulsa, OK68 contributions
Aug 2013
Pleasant but not worth the -11/2 drive to it. Had just got off very
Long bus ride and then had to take another back to get the boat ride
Long bus ride and then had to take another back to get the boat ride
Written 14 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
differentname
Woodbridge, CT2,741 contributions
Aug 2019
This is not a biggie, but it is part of the Alaskan experience.
Originating from the Nenana Glacier, parallelling a section of the Denali Highway, then flowing north, parallelling the Parks Highway, roughly between Cantwell to Nenana, you get closeup views at the bridge crossings on the Parks Highway.
I did not even photograph it, as it was not as spectacular as my other Alaska views, but that does not mean that will be your experience.
Originating from the Nenana Glacier, parallelling a section of the Denali Highway, then flowing north, parallelling the Parks Highway, roughly between Cantwell to Nenana, you get closeup views at the bridge crossings on the Parks Highway.
I did not even photograph it, as it was not as spectacular as my other Alaska views, but that does not mean that will be your experience.
Written 6 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ginteralaska
Juneau, AK40 contributions
Oct 2015
We visited the Nenana River in the fall before the ice had settled in. Lots of beautiful fall colors around.
Written 10 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff A
Longwood12 contributions
July 2015 • Couples
I'm 63 and had never rafted before, but my wife talked me into the 4 hour, 23 mile Nenana River excursion by Denali Outdoors. Our guide, Chad, was friendly and very knowledgeable about the area and the river. We hit Denali in mid July, and it was unusually warm and dry. Nevertheless, I stuck chemical heat packs on the arms and legs of my thermal underwear, as well as between two layers of socks. I had never put on a dry suit, which was an experience by itself! The staff were patient and helpful and extremely well organized. Chad gave us explicit safety and paddling instructions and off we went. Quiet, serene and magnificent views were everywhere for the first 2 hours. As far as the final 2 hours, all I can tell you is that it was the ride of my life. In between rapids we were able to swim (float) next to the raft. Sure, the water is cold at 38 degrees, but for me it was the highlight of the entire trip. How many people can say they have rafted a glacial river! P.S.: The only parts of me that got wet were my head and hands
Written 27 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane N
London, UK984 contributions
July 2014 • Friends
There were two trips 1&2 or 3&4 whitewater. We did the former having never done this before and we loved it. We just sat and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, got thoroughly wet and had a great laugh while someone else was doing all the paddling!
If you want to take photos then you must take a waterproof camera as there is no where to put an ordinary camera to keep it dry when you have the wetsuits on. Take a spare pair of socks to change into as your feet may get wet (the rest of me stayed completely dry under the wetsuit).
We did the trip at 6pm which was perfect as there isn't much to do in the evening (apart from eat and drink!).
The lovely girl paddling was very knowledgeable about the area and was fully qualified in whitewater rafting. She also had a fantastic sense of humour. We were cold when we got off but after a hot coffee back at the lodge we were fine.
If you want to take photos then you must take a waterproof camera as there is no where to put an ordinary camera to keep it dry when you have the wetsuits on. Take a spare pair of socks to change into as your feet may get wet (the rest of me stayed completely dry under the wetsuit).
We did the trip at 6pm which was perfect as there isn't much to do in the evening (apart from eat and drink!).
The lovely girl paddling was very knowledgeable about the area and was fully qualified in whitewater rafting. She also had a fantastic sense of humour. We were cold when we got off but after a hot coffee back at the lodge we were fine.
Written 17 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PalmtreeMonkey
Tulsa, OK68 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
The tour was through Princess Cruise line entitled Scenic Wilderness Run. $218 and was not worth it At All. We left hotel at 7 am in the. Cold and rain, Aug 28,2013. Putting on wet suit was painful, wading out to raft was freezing and the float trip of 11 miles was the most miserable time of my life. Not rough but freezing cold!! Trip should have been cancelled.
Written 13 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
petoq
Vinalhaven, ME40 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
I had a river rafting experience today with Denali Outdoor Center. We went on the Nenana River.
It was wonderful! The gear was first rate (their dry suits cost $900) and, except for my hands and face, never got wet. Yes, the water is 38 degrees, but one warms up paddling (there are two tours, one where you just hold on and another where everyone paddles- the padders had a lot more fun). The guide was experienced, and both safety-aware and funny. The guides must really work on the jokes and timing- they were hilarious. The scenery is amazing- some of the oldest rocks in the country (maybe in the world), cliffs, the Alaska Railroad line, canyons, wilderness. There are about five or six rapids and then calm (but fast) water.
I'd say it was one of the highlights of my trip to Denali Park. There are no stops for 2+ hours, so take a bathroom break just before setting out.
It was wonderful! The gear was first rate (their dry suits cost $900) and, except for my hands and face, never got wet. Yes, the water is 38 degrees, but one warms up paddling (there are two tours, one where you just hold on and another where everyone paddles- the padders had a lot more fun). The guide was experienced, and both safety-aware and funny. The guides must really work on the jokes and timing- they were hilarious. The scenery is amazing- some of the oldest rocks in the country (maybe in the world), cliffs, the Alaska Railroad line, canyons, wilderness. There are about five or six rapids and then calm (but fast) water.
I'd say it was one of the highlights of my trip to Denali Park. There are no stops for 2+ hours, so take a bathroom break just before setting out.
Written 1 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lvaughn0108
Brentwood, Tennessee
do you get wet on the jet boat tour and what is the weather around July 14th.
Written 26 June 2016
lvaughn0108
Brentwood, Tennessee
Do you get wet on this tour. Will be there July 14th. How is the weather there at that time of the year.
Written 26 June 2016
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