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Logo bar of the Alaska Public Lands Information Center which are located in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Tok and Ketchikan
Margaret Lake in the Tongass National Forest
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Planning a River Trip
 
A drawing of a man paddling a canoe in a lake, cast in shadow.

Normally, the least expensive way to rivers that are not road accessible is to fly commercial airline to the nearest town, then charter a taxi to your put-in point. For take-outs, ending a trip at a village with scheduled commercial air service would be the least expensive.

Most people use collapsible boats for their trips since rigid boats such as canoes are difficult and expensive to transport by floatplane. Boat rentals can also be difficult to find in Alaska. There are rentals for canoes, kayaks and rafts out of Anchorage, Seward, Valdez, Sterling, and Soldotna. One must keep in mind transportation possibilities to and from these canoeing areas. Many of the guides, outfitters, and charter companies licensed to do business on public lands also rent boats. Listings of these companies are available by request from the Anchorage Alaska Public Lands Information Center, which can be reached by the following:

  • Alaska Public Lands Information Center
    605 W. 4th Avenue Suite 105
    Anchorage, AK 99501
    (907) 644-3661 or 1-866-869-6887

The recommended boating season extends from June to August, as many lakes do not become ice-free until June. In general, water levels can be very unpredictable. Paddlers can get information on water levels from local residents, the distant office of the land managing agency for that river, air taxi operators, or from the Alaska River Forecast Center in Anchorage at (907) 266-5160 (information only for select rivers).

It is important to be totally self-sufficient on your trip. Help may often be hours or days away. The cold water temperatures make hypothermia a real threat, even in the midst of summer. Know about bear safety and proper food storage. File a trip plan with someone before you go.

Maps

Maps are available from the United States Geological Survey in Anchorage:

  • U.S. Geological Survey
    4210 University Drive
    Glenn Olds Hall
    Anchorage, AK 99508
    (907) 786-7011
  • Earth Science Information Center
    University of Alaska, Fairbanks
    (907) 474-6960
    (800) USA-MAPS

Fishing and Hunting

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has information regarding fishing and hunting regulations.



For more information on rivers in Alaska, see below.
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a very happy Lilly the sled dog.Did You Know?
Alaska's state sport is dog mushing. The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race runs from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, alternating each year, in February, while the Iditarod Sled Dog Race runs from Willow to Nome during the first weekend of March each year.