Alsek River

The Alsek River and its major tributary, the Tatshenshini River, are large volume, swift glacial rivers.  Beginning in the interior, it is one of a small number of river systems which breach the coast range, offering boaters uncommon environmental diversity, impressive scenery, and an outstanding wilderness experience.

Most trips begin on the Tatshenshini at Shawshe (Dalton Post), the last road accessible put-in off the Haines Highway in Yukon Territory, Canada.  From here it is 140 river miles to the normal take-out at Dry Bay, Alaska.  A six-mile long canyon immediately below Shawshe (Dalton Post) offers continuous Class III whitewater, Class IV at high water (International Scale, Class I-VI).  The remainder of the river is generally Class II with large eddies and folds at normal volumes. The Alsek River above its confluence with the Tatshenshini is Class III above Turnback Canyon.  Turnback Canyon must be portaged by rafters during the summer months.  Tatshenshini trips average 6 days on the water, plus additional lay-over days.

Tatshenshini-Alsek trips starting at Shawshe (Dalton Post) travel through private Champaign-Aishihik Tribal lands, Yukon Territory lands, Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park in Canada and Glacier Bay National Park.  Upper Alsek trips travel through Kluane National Park, and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park, Canada.

Take an Alaskan adventure on the Alsek River with an America Outdoors outfitter, who provide whitewater rafting, canoeing and educational programs.