Wilderness Wave Raft: Whitewater Rafting along Denali’s Border
What your day looks like
Experience the beauty of Alaska’s wilderness on the Wilderness Wave, where you'll float along the natural boundary of Denali National Park. This scenic adventure takes you through 11 miles of glacially carved valleys, offering stunning panoramic views of Mount Fellows, Sugarloaf, and Mount Healy. As you glide down the river, the landscape opens up around you—towering peaks, rolling hills, and untouched wilderness as far as the eye can see. The crisp air carries the faint scent of pine and glacial water, while the calm flow of the river allows you to fully take in the breathtaking scenery. With only the occasional gentle rapid to add a splash of excitement, this mellow tour is perfect for the whole family, offering a mix of relaxation and adventure. Whether you choose to join the crew as a Paddle Rafter, dipping your paddle into the icy water, or prefer to sit back and let the guide take control as an Oar Boat Rider, you’re guaranteed a fun and memorable ride. Along the way, your guide will share stories about the area’s rich history, wildlife, and natural wonders, giving you a deeper appreciation for the incredible landscape surrounding you. From the quiet stretches of river framed by the to the soft rush of water as you pass through small rapids, this journey offers the perfect balance of serenity and adventure. Whatever floats your boat, the Wilderness Wave is an ideal way to experience Alaska’s untamed beauty.
The experience, in brief
- Float 11 scenic miles along Denali’s border
- Enjoy panoramic views and gentle glacial waters
- Learn local history and spot wildlife on a serene familyfriendly rafting trip
Your day, step by step
Healy (Denali)
Boating.
Healy (Denali)
White Water Rafting.
What to know before booking
Included
We Provide: Dry Suit to keep your clothes dry River Shoes: You will leave your shoes behind, so you return to a nice, dry pair of shoes. PFD: This is a personal Flotation Device, also known as a lifejacket Helmet: This adjusts like a baseball cap; you can wear hats under the helmet, preferably hats without a pompom on them. Dress Warm
Not Included
Tips and gratuities
What to Bring
We highly recommend wearing warm layers and a pair of warm socks to keep your feet warm. You will be rafting on a glacial river. Warm layers would include, thin base layer light long-sleeved shirt or thermals if you have them, mid mid-layer- long sleeve sweater, sweatshirt, fleece, or a vest, outer layer light puff jacket (without a hood if possible), rain jacket. A thin glove layered with a pair of dish gloves is a great way you keep your hands warm. Warm socks could be a wool pair of socks or an extra thick pair of winter socks for skiing, or you can layer two socks and slide in a toe warmer in between the socks. Just remember- Your clothes keep you warm our suits keep you dry.
Meeting & Pickup
General Meeting Location: New Wave Adventures Office We can also provide a free shuttle
Languages Offered
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Planning Notes
Minimum age: 15 Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Automatic
What travelers are saying
It was a great experience. Guides were informative and entertaining. Highly recommend it
We took the Wilderness Wave tour for our family of 5 (two adults, three kids). The location was easy to find, the business was clean and organized, and the tour guides were prepared and knowledgeable. We received dry suits and waterproof shoes to put over our clothing to keep us dry. We rode in a bus to the dropoff spot, and rafted for about 3 hours. The rapids were very tame, and we only got splashed a few times. This is a great activity for younger kids! We did need a few paddlers to help get us going the right direction a few times, but the guide was great at steering us. He pointed out a few animals along the way. We felt very safe and comfortable and had a good time as a family.