Nenana, Alaska, US

2. McKinley Village to Riley Creek

Nenana

Nenana
Photo of Ann Corey by Chris Kiehl (KHCC) taken 1999

Gauge Information

River Description

Season: May to September. Expect peak flows in late June with a second peak in mid-September.

Description

This section includes class-III whitewater with fun playspots. Although you'll find good whitewater, there are few distinct rapids with the exception of Terror Corner that comes after the confluence with Riley Creek and just before the take-out at Jonesville Bridge.

This run can also be combined with runs that begin farther upstream

• 1. Carlo Creek to McKinley Village

or you can continue down through the Nenana Canyon

• 3. Riley Creek to Twin Rocks
• 4. Twin Rocks to Healy (Nenana Canyon)

Logistics

From Anchorage, drive approximately 240 miles north on the George Park Highway (Hwy. 3) towards the entrance of Denali National Park. If you're coming from Fairbanks it's approximately 125 miles to the southwest. The put-in is located to the south and upstream of the entrance to Denali National Park at McKinley Village. Take-out at the Jonesville Bridge where the George Park Highway crosses the Nenana River to the north (and downstream) of Riley Creek and just north of the entrance to Denali National Park).

Additional Information

• Nenana River description on the Fairbanks Paddlers website.
• Denali National Park