Paddlesports Schools:

Paddlesports Schools:

Paddlesports Schools:

Paddlesports Shops:

The Nenana River is the epitome of big, fast and cold Alaskan whitewater. Starting from its glacial headwaters high in the Alaska Range, the Nenana cuts north through the mountains alongside Denali National Park and creates a 40 mile corridor of amazing scenery and water ranging from class I to huge class IV. The main whitewater run starts at the Kingfisher Creek put-in and ends in Healy after 12 miles and 9 major rapids of pool drop nature. Numerous waves of all sizes and powerful eddy lines make for a wonderful playboating run, though no eddy service waves exist. After about 20 minutes the river makes a left turn and drops into Razorback, a long wave train of 10-15 foot standing waves the first of which is sometimes surfable with a fast boat. Next comes Iceworm, a 1/4 mile long series of holes and waves which offers up some great big waves at medium to high levels. Two Rocks is a short stompy rapid that has perhaps the best surf wave on the run. Cable Car comes next, river right side for the biggest waves on the run. After Cable Car you enter the true gorge and in quick succession come Royal Flush (Moody's Hole at the top left before the river left turn), The Knife (which, if run, requires a somewhat precise line to miss the Hole to China), Splatter Rock, Train Wreck, and Coffee Grinder (look for the wave against the river right wall above the grinder). The take-out is on the left just past the bridge across from the power plant. The water is extremely cold, 37 degrees on a hot day, so dress accordingly. Also keep your eyes open for moose along the banks and once in the gorge dall sheep are a common site up on the rock walls. If you want to raft the rapids, need some beta or are looking for people to paddle with, drop in to Denali Outdoor Center (907) 683-1925, or visit Kayak Alaska great people and the most experienced guides on the river.

Towns near Canyon Run Kayaking