Rafting in the Mat-Su Valley

Local rafting experts at NOVA Riverrunners shares their love of rafting.

In the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys, one of our biggest recreational assets are the rivers, in fact, you won’t find many places on earth with such a diverse multitude. In addition to the volume of rivers, their historical use here by natives, explorers, pioneers, and others has proven there’s no better way to travel and experience our backcountry treasures.

The pristine beauty of Alaska is right here waiting to be discovered. We have rivers that are easily accessed by road or remote ones requiring bush plane fly-out and pick-up. There’s flat water floating to challenging class V whitewater; salmon, trout and grayling fishing and always lots of wildlife viewing. From the clear headwaters of our spawning streams to the silt-laden glacier rivers, opportunities abound for those who seek them.

Planning is easy, whether traveling independently using outfitted rentals, your own equipment, or by utilizing one of the many professionally guided services that make participation safe and easy. Canoeing, kayaking, rafting, jet boating, fly-fishing or salmon fishing, it’s all here in the Mat-Su. There are rivers still to conquer for the challenge of a first descent and rivers with long colorful histories to explore, for first-timers to the experienced adventurer, you can’t find a better place or a better way to start your Alaskan adventure.