River Boating
Clear, pristine waters and unparalleled scenery make Alaskan waters some of the best boating, rafting, kayaking, and canoeing adventures you can find. Whether you want a calm class I river float or the exciting class III whitewater rapids adventure; to go for a single day or on one of the longest road-to-road floats in North America; or something inbetween -- there is a river for you! These rivers give you access to a world of outdoor adventure.
BLM manages six National Wild and Scenic Rivers in Alaska that offer a wide variety of experiences:
Alaska waters are very cold. If you fall in, be aware of the signs of hypothermia. Be prepared for emergencies. Learn more about river safety. Realize that drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in Alaska. Most drownings are due to capsizing or falling overboard into cold water, where the boater was not wearing a life jacket, and most had not taken a single boating safety course.
![Rafting on the gulkana River.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509085737im_/http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/ak/gdo.Par.23155.Image.300.193.1.gif)
Wear Your Life Jacket!